The Rabbit is the sign that is also considered the Cat.  I love the story about why the cat hates the rat to this day. Because he forget to invite him to Buddha's meeting.

If you ask me, they should have included the fox.

All the Chinese say about the cat is that it is glutenous. Cats in general are not popular as pets and lots of stories that do include cats don't portray them as the wonderful creatures they are.

In fact, I am more surprised that they didn't include the fox because there are more stories and Chinese sayings & idioms that involve the fox than the cat. Its right up there with the Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, and pig - the more popular when it comes to subjects of a story, saying, or idiom. By far - the most popular, hands down, are the monkey and dragon. I dunno how many lucky charms have a monkey holding a peach or a dragon chasing a pearl.

Being a monkey, it was cool at first to see my sign everywhere -- now I am over it.

What about kangaroos people? Those things are awesome.

A slightly different take on the story:

zodiac.asia1.com.sg/zodiac.htm

I read somewhere that in Chinese astrology it is the rabbit but in Vietnam it is the cat...