Felidae Oligocene, about 25 million years ago, with the appearance of "Proailurus" and "Pseudaelurus". The latter species complex was ancestral to two main lines of felids, the cats in the extant subfamilies and a third major group of extinct cats, which are assigned to the subfamily Machairodontinae. The machairodonts included the saber-toothed cats such as the "Smilodon". The "false sabre toothed cats", the Barbourofelidae and Nimravidae, are not true cats, but are closely related and together with Felidae and other cat-like carnivores (hyaenas, viverrids and mongooses) make up the feliform carnivores. Results of mitochondrial analysis indicates that all the Felidae descended
Compassionate Action for Animals Compassionate Action for Animals Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is a Minneapolis-based animal advocacy non-profit focused on raising awareness on factory farming and promoting vegetarianism. CAA was formed in early 1998 in order to pursue "strategic nonviolence" as a path towards animal rights. This is a strategy based on the principles of nonviolent action defined by Gene Sharp. These principles of strategic nonviolence are reflected in CAA's current core values. The name Compassionate Action for Animals was adopted in May 1998. In June 1999, CAA became a 501(c)3 non-profit after merging with the Animal Liberation League, another local animal rights