'House Cat' Museum
Feline like a trip to a museum? If you have a soft spot for kitties, read on for some pawsitive news. Meow, its possible to visit a North Carolina museum thats all cats, all the time, one thats dedicated entirely to depictions of domesticated cats. The museum was founded by cat-obsessed Harold Sims, a one-time biology professor who has devoted his retirement to cats. Its called the American Museum of the House Cat, and its a shrine to the worlds beloved felines. The museum was founded by cat-obsessed Harold Sims, a one-time biology professor who has devoted his retirement to cats.
It wasnt enough for Sims to build a no-kill cat shelter adjacent to his North Carolina homenow hes constructed an entire museum dedicated to their fluffy glory at an antique mall in Sylva. The museum houses decades worth of his cat-related collections. Sims envisions the museum as a way to bring attention and funds to his no-kill shelter, which has rescued over 3,000 cats so far. The money brought in by the museum will benefit the shelter, and visitors can take self-guided tours or speak with volunteer docents.
Humans have lived with cats for millennia, and scientists think that domesticated felines have existed for up to 12,000 years. Today, house cats have proven their museumworthiness: The ASPCA estimates that nearly 90 million cats are owned in the U.S. alone. According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans will drop an estimated $69.36 billion dollars on their beloved companions this year.
Sims museum isnt the only one dedicated to creatures that purr. Singapores Cat Museum and Mansion lets people browse cat memorabilia and adopt a new friend while theyre at it. Stateside, San Franciscos Cat Museum is dedicated to deconstructing the complex relationship between people and cats, and Cincinnatis Lucky Cat Museum is a shrine to Maneki Neko, the adorable Japanese good-luck cat charm.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/north-carolina-has-house-cat-museum-180963442/#T5kfaYMkYmcVFSdk.99