Feline fancy

By Lilian Zac of the BBC Latin American Service

Think of Britain, think of cats. It is definitely a nation of cat lovers.

I realised this when I was first invited to a British home, a few weeks after my arrival in the UK. I should have suspected something after I was asked if I was allergic to cats. No, I was not.

Two days later, I was sitting on a sofa surrounded by Silly-Billy, Lola and their friends, a total of nine cats, all of all of whom were eager to get to know me better.

A bit of a shock for me I must say coming from a country where cats are more likely to be associated with fleas, street rubbish and pests.

But in Britain, more often than not, you hear the following phrase "I love cats." In fact, there is a whole in industry catering for cats, rather geared to attract their owners.

Pampered Pussies

You can come across the most amazing accessories. I asked some of the people I know who are renowned cat lovers, what they were prepared to get for their pets.

"They have these small doors within the door, like a little window that the cat can just come through rather than waiting around for you to let it in.

"Nowadays I think they have a magnetic thing that they can wear around their neck and it triggers something in the door so that it opens for the cat," says one cat owner.

To that list I could an enormous variety of flavours in cat food, herbal medicines designed for cats and jewellery.

"I buy cat things for me and for presents for other people if I know they like cats. Needless to say, my house is full of cat ornaments, picture, photos, things to do with cats. People know what to buy me", says one cat-crazy consumer.

Cat Fetishists

Is it sound to be so fascinated by something you own, even if it is a living being? Is it not a touch fetishistic? But what is it that makes British people love their cats to that extent?

They cherish the tender side of cats but above all, they are in love with their independent nature. This polarisation of independence seen as doing one's own thing stresses the individualism that seems to be the core of this society.