The Wanli emperor of the Ming dynasty was famed for his ailurophilia. All the cats raised in his palace had official ranks, from the lowest level servant to the highest official; they were raised with dignity and lived well. Some grew to be bigger than dogs.
明萬曆皇帝愛貓出名，所豢養的貓，各有官名俸祿，小從丫頭小廝，大到老爺管事，養尊處優，有的體型比狗還大。