Cats-No Middle Ground

Since the earliest recorded history, cats have been loved and revered, or hated and persecuted. There is virtually no one in the middle when it comes to cats.

One of the earliest historic evidences of humans and cats was discovered in 1983 in Cyprus.The grave of an 8 month-old cat was found within 18 inches of a human grave. Both skeletons were oriented in a westward direction. The graves dated to 7500 BC.

As early as 3500 BCE, the ancient Egyptians revered cats, as they did all animals, believing cats represented and even encapsulated attributes of the divine. If a human killed a cat, even accidentally, they would be put to death. Eventual corruption of their belief system resulted in cats being exploited and sacrificed in a gross perversion of the original belief. This perversion was motivated by greed, the great human constant.

Indian writings from 500 CE revere the cat. The prophet Muhammad (570 – 632) cut off the sleeve of his robe rather than disturb the cat who was sleeping on it.

In the 900s, the Welsh recognized the value of cats and imposed strict penalties for murdering or stealing cats.

But in 1232, Pope Gregory IX declared cats were diabolical agents of the devil. From 1230 to 1700, millions of cats were murdered, often along with their disenfranchised human, usually a woman. This unbridled slaughter of cats opened the door for the Black Plague to sweep through Europe as it was overrun with disease-infested rats brought in by ships from Asia. Those people who were able to keep their cats were much more likely to survive the scourge. Many erroneous beliefs about cats that still permeate our society today find their roots in those dark times.

Present day society is no different. Countless advocates for the welfare of cats work endlessly to save as many cats as possible while the worst of the worst of humanity cause the unspeakable suffering and death of cats for their own amusement and profit.

“Crushing,” “deadcat.com” and the recent string of torture-related abominable cat murders across the U.S. has given us cause to wonder if we are reverting to our own Dark Ages or are already there.