More on cats

Yesterday he asked me to write my column on the subject of his ancestry. He wanted to know about the origins of the domestic cat. Here it is Sully:

A modern domestic cat like Sully is most likely a descendant of the African wild cat (Felis sylvestris libyca). The African wild cat still survives in parts of Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe. It is a cat that is relatively social, can be tamed and frequently live on the outskirts of human settlements. The African wild cat shares many characteristics with the domestic cat. They are both hunters with amazing pouncing and climbing skills. They also have the same number of chromosomes.

At first early humans probably hunted these wild cats for food and for their pelts. But when human groups began to grow food along with hunting and gathering, they needed to develop ways to store and protect the harvest from invading hungry rodents. The invention of rodent-proof pottery jars provided early humans with a way to safely store foodstuffs, while the cat took the role of rodent exterminator. This domestication of the cat probably occurred 5-8,000 years ago. In contrast, the domestication of the dog occurred some 50,000 years ago to aid in the hunt and to act as beasts of burden. In other words, dogs were domesticated for a nomadic hunting and gathering life, while cats were domesticated for the more sedentary life of early horticulturalists.

By 3500 BC in ancient Egypt, cats became much more than rodent killers. Wall paintings in tombs often featured cats as being part of domestic daily life. After the death of a housecat, Egyptian families would ritually mourn. Egyptians saw the cat as a fertility symbol. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Bastet, daughter of the sun god Osiris, and goddess of fertility was first depicted as a lion, but later took the form of a small cat. In 1890 more than 300,000 cat mummies were found in a sanctuary honoring Bastet. There also were mummified mice for the cats to eat on their journey into the afterlife.

The Roman invaders smuggled cats out of Egypt and took them to their northern conquests. Like the Egyptians, the Romans considered cats to be sacred. The Greek historian Diodorus recorded an incident involving a Roman charioteer who was stoned to death by an angry mob after he ran over and killed a cat. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the popularity of the cat also fell. Perhaps those who had been conquered by the Romans wanted nothing more to do with them or their symbols and beliefs. Keeping cats was just one more reminder of Roman rule. Freya, the goddess of love, had been depicted surrounded by cats, but after the breakdown of the Empire, she became a frightening witch with evil-looking felines at her side. Throughout post-Roman times, Europeans saw the cat as an associate of witches and evil. In Metz, France, hundreds of cats were burned alive because of their supposed association with witchcraft.

During the 1600s the cat found a place of honor once again. The French clergy and royalty kept cats. One French harpist left a large part of her estate to her cats and their care. By the 1700s cats appeared in Romantic era portraits as pampered companion pets. In the 1800s domestic cats were shown at country fairs in the United States, and in England they were presented at Hyde Park's impressive Crystal Palace.

So Sully's ancestors enjoyed periods of popularity as well as periods of persecution and they were present at many significant times in human history. They were there when humans began to grow their own food. They were there when Egyptian queens gave offerings to a cat image to ensure the birth of an heir. They were also there when Romans invaded Europe. Sully's ancestors were present when Europeans hunted down witches. They were there to pose for a 16th century portrait artist. And finally, Sully's ancestors were present for the first U.S. and British cat showings.

Now fast-forward to 2009 for the upcoming cat event on September 13, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. This event is the Meow Luau, and it is designed for cat lovers everywhere. Sponsored by the Friends of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, the Meow Luau features beautiful cats for adoption or foster, fun activities for the kids, and lots of free stuff. Come join this celebration of the cat, and if you would like to help, bring a donation of cat food for the local food bank.

For further information on the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, call (518) 885-4113 or visit www.saratogacountyny.gov. For more information on the Meow Luau, contact Sandy Zanone at (518) 583-1080. Also if you have questions about your pets, pet adoption or other related topics, send them to jsweet@skidmore.edu. If we do not have the answers, we will contact people who do!