Spread to the world

Without doubt we can say that domestic cats are the most numerous and widespread animals. Their successful meeting with the man dates back to the times of ancient Egypt. Then cats began to spread to other parts of the world. First cats reached the shores of the Mediterranean in trading boats and ancient Roman legions. While in Egypt there was a cult of cats, in the Mediterranean it was a mere curiosity. Greeks and Romans regarded them unusual and exotic animals, and didn't use them to protect their food stocks from mice.

Roman Legions and colonies distributed cats throughout the empire. In the Far East cats appeared about 200 BC entering from India, first in China and then to Japan. Since X century cats have won the most of Europe and Asia. In XV and XVI centuries owing to the great research cruises cat appeared in the New World, in Australia and New Zealand.