The centuries-long love affair between cats, dogs and people shows every sign of continuing when the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum's latest exhibition opens today.
Museum curator Peter Read said ''Cats 'n Dogs: An Illustrated History'' was a ''wonderfully illustrated'' exhibition, which explored many facets of our long-standing relationship with cats and dogs.
''New Zealand has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world,'' Mr Read said.
And cat videos were among the most viewed clips on YouTube.
Members of the public have been quick to respond to an appeal from the museum to email in digital images of their pets, already providing more than 1000.
Many of these images are being displayed in the exhibition.
Exhibition designer Tim Cornelius said that many Dunedin pet owners were clearly proud of their animals, and had been keen to share digital photographs of them, sometimes in human-like poses, or doing surprising things.
Museum visitor experience manager Kirsty Glengarry said the exhibition space had been divided in half and visitors could vote if they had a preference for either species.
Other exhibition highlights film footage of Dr Gareth Morgan, of Wellington, discussing the challenges that cats pose to native birds, and a kahu kuri (dog cloak) on loan from Otago Museum.
Many of the settlers museum's archival photographs, featuring cats and dogs, and including some from the 19th century, play a strong role in the exhibition.
Some associated public talks will also be given, and public programmes would be offered during the July school holidays, museum organisers said.
The show continues until September 6.
