05/03/2025
Ah, catsāthe mysterious, mischievous, and utterly captivating creatures that have enchanted humans for thousands of years! Hereās a crash course in feline fascination:
**The Basics**
- Cats are **felids**, belonging to the Felidae family, which includes lions, tigers, and leopards.
- Domestic cats (**Felis catus**) were first domesticated around 9,000 years ago, likely by ancient farmers who appreciated their pest-hunting skills.
- They have **retractable claws**, extraordinary night vision, and an acute sense of smellāmaking them top-tier hunters.
**Behavior & Personality**
- Unlike dogs, cats are **not fully domesticated**āthey retain a lot of their wild instincts.
- They are highly **territorial** and use scent marking, rubbing, and scratching to claim their space.
- Cats communicate with humans through **meows**, but interestingly, adult cats rarely meow at each otherāit's a language they developed just for us!
**Fun Facts**
š± A catās purring isnāt just cuteāitās thought to have healing properties, with vibrations between 25-150 Hz that can promote bone growth and healing.
š± The world's oldest known pet cat was found in a 9,500-year-old grave in Cyprus, proving humans have adored cats for millennia!
š± Despite their reputation, cats **do** form strong bonds with their humansāthey just express love differently than dogs.
**Why We Love Them**
Cats are independent, playful, and sometimes downright sassy, but they bring comfort, companionship, and even stress relief to their humans. Whether theyāre zooming around at 3 AM, staring into the void with wisdom beyond our comprehension, or curling up on your lap with an air of regal indifference, cats remind us that life is meant to be enjoyed on **our own terms**.
So, are you a cat person yourself, or just a curious admirer? Applications to adopt felines in our care are at www.icanbc.com.
Open Tues-Sat from 11-3pm by appointment to meet the fur babies.