The pet ferret (Mustela putorias furo) was domesticated more than 500 years before the house cat.

Goat's eyes have rectangular pupils.

The stuff (allergens) that people are allergic to in cats is a protein in cat saliva. When the cat grooms and the saliva dries it can become airborn. This protein is 1/3 the weight of ordinary housedust, so it can travel farther. You can find this allergen where cats have never been.