Named after the island of Cyprus, home to the first domesticated cats on record (going back to 7,500 B.C.), the Cyprus cats were discovered buried alongside their owners at grave sites which pre-dated Egyptian depictions of cats in hieroglyphics by 4,000 years! A testament to the people of Cyprus who, according to archaeologists, set the very foundation for our love of felines! Thanks Cyprus!

Full disclosure: the cute kitten under the caption is actually a Cyprus-Somali mix.

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