Neko-gami refers to cat-associated deities and beliefs found in Japanese folk religion, particularly in fishing and maritime communities where cats were kept aboard boats and in coastal villages to protect stored nets, gear, and rice from rats. Shrines and small stone or wooden effigies dedicated to cats exist in various fishing towns, reflecting local traditions that regarded cats as bringers of good fortune and protection for those at sea. These practices are best understood as regional folk customs rather than a single unified cult, with beliefs and associated rites varying considerably by locality.