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Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead to preserve the body for the return of the soul after the perilous journey of the afterlife. Animals were also mummified for several reasons: to accompany the dead in the afterlife, or to be given as offerings to gods. Cats were related to Bastet, the goddess of fertility, protection and pleasure, often depicted with the head of a cat. Contemporary research has revealed that in some cases animal mummification followed the same detailed preparation as for humans, although in other cases animal mummies sometimes barely contained any animal parts at all when demand overwhelmed supply. There was an industry that bred animals specifically destined to be killed for mummification, which was considered a great honour and would secure them a place among the gods.