EP 1005 Are Cats a Woman’s Best Friend?

There has been an association between cats and women throughout history.  It’s not always been a positive one as so many histories have been dominated by the male perspective.  Even in our era, as cats have taken their place alongside dogs, as popular home companions, they were derisively referenced in the 2024 campaign, as their guardians were referred to as ‘childless cats ladies.’  It has been a long and difficult history for the cats that we now embrace in our society.  This phenomenon is only about a half century old and still the behavior of what are referred to as street or feral cats, two different categories, are maligned for the environmental damage they do to birds, small mammals and reptiles.  Yet, the evolution of the cat itself, from the wildcat, can be directly traced to their value in protecting granaries from vermin, like mice and rats. It’s a fascinating story told brilliantly by Professor Rod Phillips, of Carleton University, in Canada, in his new book, “Cats: A History.”  He is our guest today.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download