Cats at the Turn of the 20th Century

The word “cat” is used broadly to describe all feline animals. In different countries, the cat is known by various names, and it’s interesting that—with only a couple of exceptions—most of these names begin with a “C” or a “K” and sound quite similar. For example: in Irish and Scottish it’s “cat”; in French, “chat”; Dutch and Danish, “kat”; Swedish, “katt”; German, “katze”; Italian, “gatto”; Spanish and Portuguese, “gato”; Polish, “kot”; Russian, “kots”; Turkish, “keti”; Welsh, “cetti”; Cornish, “katt”; and in American slang, “katz.”

The history of the cat has been a strange and uneven one. Perhaps because cats are secretive, complex, and independent, they’ve remained something of a mystery to people and are often misunderstood. But anyone who takes the time to observe and understand cats will realize they are not what they’re often accused of being. Those who spend a lot of time with cats know just how intelligent they truly are—although their intelligence can sometimes be subtle and easily overlooked.

The number nine has long been linked with cats. There’s a well-known saying that cats have nine lives. In Gay’s Fables, a complaining cat points out that people treat cats badly because they believe this. Cats likely earned this reputation because of their remarkable ability to survive injuries and hardships. In fact, they seem to cling to life more stubbornly than most animals.

In his book English Folk-Lore, Thistleton Dyer explains that cats are said to have nine lives because of their flexibility and their ability to land on their feet. The playwright Ben Jonson even joked about this idea, saying it was a shame someone didn’t have “a cat’s nine lives and their own.” In the Middle Ages, people also believed that witches could take the form of a cat up to nine times.

The term “cat-o’-nine-tails” refers to a feared whip once used for punishment, showing again how strongly the number nine has been associated with cats. Some even believed this harsh punishment was an effective way to discipline criminals.

It is unfortunate that the bodies of dead cats have sometimes been used in cruel and foolish forms of entertainment. In the past, dead cats and rotten eggs were thrown at people during political elections.

Many theories try to explain how cats can find their way home, even when they’ve been taken miles away across unfamiliar land. One idea is that if a cat is carried in a bag or blindfolded, its sense of smell still works, allowing it to notice and remember the different scents along the journey. These scent clues may help the cat retrace its route later. Whatever the explanation, many people can share remarkable stories of cats mysteriously returning home—guided by a homing instinct as strong as that of a carrier pigeon.

A cat’s maternal instinct may be stronger than that of almost any other animal. No creature shows more concern for the safety of its young. A normally timid cat can become brave and fearless when her kittens are in danger. The naturalist St. George Mivart wrote of a cat that jumped into a fast-moving stream to save her three drowning kittens, carrying them one by one back to shore.

Another powerful example comes from a fire in a London theater. A mother cat and her kittens had been left behind backstage. The cat ran into the burning building three times, each time rescuing one of her kittens. Tragically, she went back in once more for the last kitten. After the fire was put out, both mother and kitten were found dead together.

One writer has said that people can be divided into two groups: those who love cats and those who dislike them, with very few people in between. This seems largely true. People also disagree about whether cats belong in the home, but there is no doubt about their usefulness. Cats were clearly well-suited to control rats, mice, and other pests.

There is a common belief that if a cat is well-fed and pampered, it will lose its ability to hunt. This isn’t true. Cats often hunt not because they are hungry, but because they enjoy it. In fact, a neglected or starving cat is less capable of catching prey. That said, not every cat is a natural hunter—this trait varies, just as abilities vary among people.

It may surprise some to learn that governments have even paid to keep cats in public buildings, dockyards, and storage areas. These “official” cats help control pests and protect valuable supplies. For example, in France’s National Printing Office, many cats were kept specifically to prevent rats and mice from damaging large stores of paper.

Farmers readily admit how useful cats are in barns, stables, outbuildings, and fields. Although farmers are often known for complaining, they would have far more to complain about if rats and mice were allowed to multiply unchecked. Newly planted crops like peas, as well as stored grain and corn, would suffer badly. Young animals like ducklings and chicks could quickly disappear if cats were not quietly and constantly doing their job of keeping vermin in check.

Curiously, in one case it was noted that a cat would leave behind many dead mice each morning—but with their tails eaten off. Apparently, this particular cat preferred the tail, even though most cats are thought to favor the head as the tastiest part.

At one time, officials in charge of military supply depots were required to submit requests to the War Department for allowances of meat and milk to feed the cats stationed there.

More than 300 cats were employed by the Post Office Department, spread across about fifty of the largest offices. In New York City alone, about sixty dollars a year was spent on food for these cats. In Pittsburgh, there was even said to be a special “cold-storage” type of cat, adapted to extremely cold conditions. These cats had short tails, thick fur, and unusually long whiskers and eyebrows, and they reportedly did not do well when moved to normal environments.

A Ping-Pong Cat

One inconvenience of playing ping-pong is having to chase after the ball. A clever solution was offered by a cat owner, who trained their cat to retrieve the ball. Whenever it fell to the floor, the cat would quickly find it and bring it back to the table, saving the player the trouble.

Of course, one might worry that a cat’s teeth and claws would damage the balls, but apparently this was not a major issue.

Among animals, cats are perhaps the most resistant to training. They dislike being forced to do anything or to stay anywhere against their will. This is why there are far fewer trained cats than trained dogs. It can take years to teach a cat even a simple trick—something a dog might learn in weeks. However, once trained, a cat can become quite valuable.

Some people may have seen “happy family” displays, where animals like monkeys, guinea pigs, birds, and mice are placed together peacefully, often with a cat sitting calmly among them. Such scenes require careful training to override the cat’s natural hunting instincts.

Cats are extremely clean animals—perhaps more particular about their grooming than any other. As writer Agnes Repplier observed in her book The Fireside Sphinx, a cat’s grace is matched by its delicacy and tact, and its careful grooming shows both self-respect and consideration for others.

It was around this time that cat-themed items started appearing, especially around Christmas. There were cat almanacs, calendars, and countless holiday cards featuring cats in all kinds of poses and situations, sent with warm seasonal greetings.

Also, we see the increase of cat breeding and ownership among men. Although this hobby was traditionally associated more with women, it is becoming increasingly popular among men as well.

Meanwhile, cat shows and clubs began to grow in popularity. Here some of the cat clubs and societies that were formed in  America around the turn of the 20th century:

National Cat Club (founded 1887)

Beresford Cat Club (Chicago, founded 1899)

Chicago Cat Club (founded 1899)

Louisville Cat Club (founded 1900)

Pacific Cat Club (San Francisco, founded 1900)

Atlantic Cat Club (New York, founded 1902)

These organizations helped bring structure and standards to the growing world of cat breeding and showing, ensuring that the “cat fancy” continued to develop in a more organized and professional way.

Litter of Siamese kittens

In America, interest in cats has grew rapidly. The first major public cat show was held in 1895 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Before that, there had only been smaller, private attempts to exhibit cats alongside poultry and pigeon shows.

Many of the top cats shown in America at that time were imported from England. American breeders were eager to obtain the finest cats available and were often willing to pay high prices for prize-winning animals.

The future of cat breeding in America looked very promising. Despite the challenges of long distances, a limited number of high-quality breeding cats, and fewer opportunities for large shows, cat fanciers showed great energy, dedication, and enthusiasm for the hobby.

Now, a few words about some truly admirable institutions—places that would appeal to anyone who cares about stray, and starving cats.  Their mission: To take in homeless, sick, and suffering cats, and humanely euthanize those beyond help, to provide temporary shelter for lost cats, and to board cats for a modest fee.

Not a day would go by without many being put down immediately upon arrival due to their condition. For those who could not afford it, no fee was charged, while others would pay a small amount for a humane and painless death to their sick and/or aging cats. The bodies were then cremated.

A typical turn-of-the century shelter for stray cats.
(Bears a striking resemblance to modern-day shelters,
wouldn't you say?)