In November, we launched Operation Fur-Ever Home with Take Paws Rescue, the Louisiana SPCA, and Metairie Humane Shelter to help pets find loving families and spotlight the work these groups do every day. David first spoke with Rebecca Nguyen of the Louisiana SPCA about their century of service, from affordable veterinary care to statewide outreach programs that keep pets healthy and loved. He also sat down with Julie Frank and Vicki Johnson-Cain of Take Paws Rescue to discuss the challenges and triumphs of saving and rehoming hundreds of dogs each year, including heartwarming stories like little Dippin Dot finding a forever home. Finally, Jami Hirstius of Metairie Humane Shelter shared what it takes for an all-volunteer team to manage emergencies, support the community, and keep going with limited resources. If you want uplifting stories and real insight into local rescue work, these episodes deliver with pawsitive energy and a whole lot of love.
The Medieval Cat-astrophe That Invited the Plague Or Did It?
While we often imagine war between rival nations fighting over an ideological difference or disputed borders, this is not always the case. Throughout history, wars have started for strange reasons, but one example that stands out occurred in the 13th century. Pope Gregory IX was the highest-ranking official in the Catholic Church from 1227 until 1241. During this period, the church had a group of agents called papal inquisitors who would “investigate” and prosecute instances of heresy. Conrad of Marburg was an inquisitor under Pope Gregory IX who strongly believed cats had ties to Satan. Many of the confessions he presented to the Pope contained evidence that cats were evil, which led the Pope to declare war on cats. As you can imagine, this was completely one-sided. The cats couldn’t possibly fight back, and between 1233 and 1234, those loyal to the church and the Pope committed a mass extermination of cats. While this likely sends shivers down any cat-lover’s spine, it also had unfortunate unintended effects. In the medieval age, cats were primarily responsible for hunting and killing the local rat population. Without cats, rat populations grew unchecked, which could have helped spread the plague throughout Europe and started the Black Death in 1346. However, take this story with a grain of salt. Documents from that time show the Pope never ordered anyone to kill cats or even that cats were satanic. There is no evidence of mass cat exterminations; if it did happen, we have no proof they played any role in the Black Death. It’s another story where the fictitious elements are simply more exciting than the truth.
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