The association of animals with luck goes back to ancient times. Cats were venerated in ancient Egypt as far back as 3,000 years ago. In modern times, dogs are considered to bring good luck in China. For some pet owners, this belief is as strong as ever.

Last month, a cat and a dog supposedly brought good fortune to a man and a woman in Taiwan who won NT$1 million (£26,765) each on a scratch card.

A cat was said to have brought good luck to a man who won the prize, after purchasing a few ‘20 Million Super Red Envelope’ scratch cards at Wongri Day Charity Lottery Shop in the Nangan District of Taipei, whilst a dog was said to be the reason a woman won the same prize in Pingtung County.

A female worker at the agency explained that the luck was brought on as cats and tigers are related, and the current year, 2022, is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese Zodiac. It is claimed that the agency’s resident tabby cat, called Chao Tsai, would rub itself against customers, bringing “happiness and fortune”, according to agency worker Wang. Some punters really pushed their luck by circling their lottery tickets three times around Chao Tsai’s head, as if they were performing a religious ritual, in an attempt increase their fortune.

Meanwhile in Pingtung County, it was a black dog which brought luck to a woman in her 50s who purchased her scratch card with funds collected from friends and family during the Lunar New Year Holiday back in January, according to the Taiwan Lottery Co.

It is said that whilst the woman was at the shop where she bought her ticket, the dog would not leave her side. In fact, the dog was not the shop’s pet but had been there for a few days and its presence had been tolerated because of the believe that dogs bring fortune.

According to a report from Taiwan’s Central News Agency, a worker at the shop in Pingtung County revealed that another customer won the Big Lotto’s Lunar New Year Special later that night. It seems that dogs really are ‘man’s best friend’!

Such superstition is not confined to the Far East, there have been reports of furry friends bringing great fortune to punters closer to home.

In July 2019, a couple from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, won an incredible £1 million on a scratch card which they attributed to their pet cat, Shortcake.

46-year-old Andrew Hancock forgot to pick up food for Shortcake on his way back home from work. Not wanting to leave poor Shortcake to go hungry, Andrew took his wife Paula’s car and drove to an Esso petrol station in Ollerton to fill up before heading out to buy the pet food. Feeling lucky after having recently won £100 on scratch cards on two separate occasions, Andrew decided to try for a third time lucky to see if he could hit the jackpot.

To his disbelief, Andrew won a life changing £1 million. However, in all the excitement that followed, he forgot to buy the pet food again!

However, Andrew vowed to make it up to Shortcake, assuring “Shortcake is going to be treated. If it wasn’t for Shortcake we wouldn’t be millionaires.”   

SUPPORT BLUE CROSS FOR PETS AND GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE TO WIN UP TO £50,000!

You can support Blue Cross in its 125th anniversary with Lottoland scratch cards. 

Blue Cross has been caring for the welfare of animals since 1987, caring for sick, injured and homeless pets. Now with the Blue Cross for Pets online scratch card from Lottoland, you can help out pets in need whilst also giving yourself the chance to win up to £50,000!

For every £1 wager, 20p will go directly to Blue Cross.  

Just make sure to give your pet some extra love and treats before you place your wager, you never know, you may have your own ‘stroke of luck’!