Cat

The cat was the sacred animal of the goddess Bastet.  In rituals performed in her honor, mummified cats were buried within her temple precincts.

Cats were first domesticated by the Egyptians in the Middle Kingdom for their mouse-hunting abilities. By New Kingdom times they had also become household companions. In tomb scenes they frequently appear seated beneath the chairs of their owners or on sporting boats in the Nile marshes, where they flush out birds for their masters.  

Male cats and kittens had religious connections with Ra, the sun god.  Kittens were raised specifically for sacrifices.  Cats were also portrayed as slayers of evil serpents.

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