Did you know the domestic cat is the most popular pet in the world?
And two of them live with me, yes I am a cat person.
Joanna Lumley turns cat detective in this two-part documentary as she travels to Egypt, Belgium, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Mexico, Belize and Namibia in search of an answer as to why these creatures both fascinate and frighten us so much.
In Belgium we learn the cat was once the devil whilst in Egypt they are forever immortalised in Bastet, the cat goddess.
She discovers maneki-neko – the lucky cat, Hello Kitty and a tailor who will run up an outfit for your favourite feline in Tokyo. There’s 5-star accommodation in Los Angeles and a troupe of cats performing tricks at a circus in Chicago.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a cat there’s computerised headwear that gives you the sight and whiskers of our feline friends.
And we are introduced to the ‘Munchkin’, a new breed akin to the dachshund in body shape.
Joanna also pays a visit to their beautiful wild cousins at a sanctuary (that houses over 80 cats) founded by actress Tippi Hedron and Africat, a Namibian organisation preserving cheetahs.
As I came to the end of this fascinating 92-minute documentary I couldn’t help but look down lovingly at my own cat who was gnawing away at the DVD cover and realised I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Yes Catwoman explores the weird and wonderful world of the cat but it also gives us a glimpse into our past, present and future.