Category: History > Cats
During the Black Death in the 14th century, which claimed the lives of an estimated 25 million people in Europe, the role of cats was surprisingly significant. In many instances, cats were revered and kept as pets, but their fate took a dark turn due to widespread superstition. As the plague spread, people began to associate cats, particularly black ones, with witchcraft and evil omens. This led to mass killings of cats across Europe, resulting in a significant rise in the rat population, which were the primary carriers of the fleas that transmitted the bubonic plague. Ironically, the reduction of cats allowed the very pests that spread the disease to thrive, illustrating how the persecution of these animals may have exacerbated the epidemic's devastation. In the aftermath, the perception of cats would gradually shift, and they would come to be recognized for their role in controlling vermin populations.