The domestic cat, Felis catus, is an introduced species in North America, unlike native wild felines such as the bobcat or lynx. The widespread population of house cats today resulted directly from human migration and settlement patterns over the past few centuries. Their arrival was a conscious choice made by European explorers and colonists. Understanding the origin of these domestic populations reveals the practical necessities of transatlantic travel and early settlement establishment.
The Role of European Settlers
European colonists—primarily the Spanish, English, and French—introduced the domestic cat to North America. Spanish explorers were the earliest, potentially bringing cats to the Caribbean in the late 15th century and certainly to the mainland by the mid-16th century. Archaeological evidence confirms their presence in the United States by 1559, with remains found at a Spanish shipwreck off the coast of Florida.
Following the Spanish, English and French colonists brought cats to settlements along the Eastern Seaboard and into Canada starting in the early 17th century. Settlements like Jamestown (1607) and Plymouth (1620) included cats among their livestock. These animals were considered cargo with a specific purpose, reflecting their importance in the colonization endeavor.
Maritime Necessity and Initial Purpose
The primary motivation for bringing cats across the Atlantic was utilitarian: pest control. Transatlantic voyages were plagued by rodents, which threatened the ship’s integrity and food stores. Rats consumed or contaminated the limited provisions and could chew through ropes and wooden structures.
Cats served as “ship cats,” managing rodent populations and protecting the grain and dried goods necessary for sustaining the crew and colonists. This role continued once settlers reached the New World, where the animals protected colonial food stores and agricultural harvests from vermin. In early North American settlements, a cat’s hunting ability made it a valuable working animal.
Early Spread and Colonization Routes
Initial points of introduction created distinct pathways for the establishment of the continental cat population. Spanish colonies, particularly in Florida and the Southwest, were the earliest arrival points, with populations spreading inland quickly from coastal settlements. The early presence of cats in the Caribbean also served as a stepping stone for transport to the mainland.
The English and French colonies along the Eastern Seaboard formed a second wave of introduction, spreading westward as colonization expanded. As settlements grew into towns and cities, cats transitioned from controlled working animals to free-roaming individuals. This shift allowed for the creation of self-sustaining populations that integrated across the continent alongside human expansion.