The cat's whiskers

Agile, regal, playful and revered as sacred animals in ancient Egypt, cats are different from man's best friend. They are inclined to be more aloof and independent and are skilled hunters. But they still make great pets.

Stroll through the selection of cat photographs below from from the Sir George Grey Special Collections at Auckland Libraries and enjoy a feline stroll back in time.

Cats as companions:

Ref: 2-V90, unidentified men on a bench with a cat, c. 1900-1909, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: 7-A9916, Seaman Kehoe and the Wiltshire's cat, 1922, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: 4-9053, three young boys with a kitten, c. 1920-1929, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: 1142-D3, portrait of Bill Bowering at Motukaraka, seated in a doorway with two cats, 1908, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Well trained cats:

Ref: 1005-9687, cats on a stool, c.1900-1919, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: 31-64436, the Donald's cat, 1911, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Cats on show:

Ref: AWNS-19390621-54-5, dogs, poultry and cats on exhibition at Dunedin Fancier's Club Diamond Jubilee Show, 1939, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: AWNS-19140702-43-1, cats at the winter show of the Auckland Cat Club, 1914, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Cats dressed up:

Ref: 1005-9690, woman holding a cat dressed in clothes, no date, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: 37-511, Showing a cat propped up in a dolls pram, c. 1900-1909, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Kittens:

Ref: 4-7040, Kittens on a box, no date, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: 4-7038, group feeding kittens, no date, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Mummified cat:

Ref: AWNS-19010531-4-3, mummified cat from Tarawera eruption, 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections