Cats are loved, feared and -sometimes- hated. Our love for cats goes back to Ancient Egypt when wild cats earned the admiration of the Egyptians with their ability to protect crops from rodents and snakes. This instance marked the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship between cats and humans. However, as the domestic cat population started to spread across Europe, they weren't always welcome, and superstition and religious fanaticism led the species to the brink of extinction in the early 15th century.

Click play to learn more about cats' journey from revered hunters and protectors in Ancient Egypt to spoiled and beloved household pets!