Why were cats important to the ancient Egypt.?

               The cat, in ancient Egypt was sacred and respected creature. They fascinated the Egyptians, and were venerated by all. There was even a cat goddess called Basta, who protected cats and children. The Egyptians prayed to Basta, the cat goddess, to keep the rats out of their grain bins.

               When a cat died, its owner would go into deep mourning and shave his eyebrows as a sign of grief. Cats were also mummified, and bowls of milk along with  mice and rats were kept in their tombs..