Kris Hill from the Society for Companion Animal Research (SCAS) considers the roles cats play in human societies.

Cats want between 12–16 hours of sleep a day, and kittens for much longer. That is twice the sleep requirement of people, and to get sufficient shut-eye cats take frequent 15-30 minute “cat naps”. So in addition to sleeping, what does your cat do all day? Eat, Sleep, Meow, Repeat? For some enjoyable mild leisure, observe Simon’s Cat on his every day shenanigans. Is that this relatable?

We would generally joke about our cats being “lazy” or “pampered freeloaders” (and we love them for this!), however have you ever ever puzzled what different “vocation” is perhaps suited to your cat?

Allow us to think about some historic (and modern) roles (or “jobs”) our feline buddies may apply for:

In case your cat had a time machine, she might be able to discover gainful employment in medieval Britain!

For hundreds of years it was widespread observe to maintain cats round to cut back the rodent inhabitants that pillaged meals shops, broken buildings, and unfold illness.

Exeter Cathedral’s information embody quarterly funds of 13d (one penny per week) for “the cat” in the course of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. There was a short interval when this was doubled which can point out that generally two cats had been on the payroll.

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Nevertheless, Cathedral Cats are nonetheless round to this present day. For instance, Budge of Norwich Cathedral and Hodge of Southwark Cathedral have their very own webpages and social media following.

Desirous about studying extra Cathedral Cats? Take a look at this ebook by Richard Surman.

Hop again in that point machine, and Fluffy may discover herself having fun with a regal place in an Egyptian temple. In historical Egypt, cats had been worshiped as embodiments of the goddess Bastet and cared for in her temples.

Bastet, Cat goddess

(Pixabay, free to be used)

Nevertheless, the Temple Cats of Philae appear to be having fun with the same life-style within the 21^st century. Hopefully with out the concern they is perhaps prematurely mummified and offered to pilgrims (as is alleged to have occurred in historical occasions).

Ship’s Cat: Till comparatively not too long ago, each the US Navy and the British Royal Navy employed a feline crew member. Take a look at these well-known ship cats.

Seafaring cats can nonetheless be discovered right now. Whereas we don’t suggest you pressure your cat aboard, for these whose cat seems , try this information on learn how to safely convey them aboard.

In search of employment?

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Chief Mouser to the Cupboard Workplace, a place which has been held by Larry, a brown and white tabby, since 15 February 2011. Larry has a big following on Fb, X, and Instagram (@Number10cat). Regardless of many requests, Larry has not but run for election as prime minster!

Official Portrait of Larry

(Wikimedia Commons)

Café cat: Cat cafes (that function resident cats) are more and more widespread, though Cat’s Safety warns of potential welfare points.

Not like the Cat Cafés, the place cats are saved as a part of the enterprise mannequin, many consuming institutions within the Mediterranean are usually visited by a specific road cat (or cat household) that entertain visitors whereas buying crumbs (or being fed leftovers from the kitchen). These “self-employed” cats endear themselves to many (however not all) vacationers and restaurant employees and are for essentially the most half blissful wholesome cats.

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Remedy cats: Cats are additionally “employed” in Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) contexts, however cat welfare needs to be on the forefront and never all cats are appropriate for this function. See right here for SCAS’s AAI Code of Observe (UK).

The function of cats as companions shouldn’t be underestimated! SCAS understands the significance of the human-companion animal bond and advocates for consciousness and evidence-based analysis into the bond.

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Removed from being a “freeloader” (not that anybody begrudges their cat), having a cat round brings many advantages, together with improved psychological and bodily well being. Cats could alleviate loneliness, particularly in older adults. Cats will also be great companions for kids and supply emotional assist for these with particular wants.

Your cat is a lot greater than “simply” a pet! There may be growing proof of the well being and different advantages related to conserving pets for individuals of all ages and with various wants. Learn extra on the SCAS webpage.

What do you suppose is an important function cats play?

Are you able to consider some other “vocations” for cats?

Observe us on FB and Twitter (@SCASuk), and remember to retweet posts from us and our companions on #PetsInHousing

SCAS is the UK’s main human-companion animal bond organisation by means of funding analysis, offering training, elevating consciousness, encouraging greatest observe, and influencing the event of insurance policies and practices that assist the human-companion animal bond. For extra particulars try our web site at www.scas.org.uk