I don't know exactly how it started, but it goes something like this.
When liberals were posting non-sense regarding the 2000 election, the term "Zot" became the standard epitath for said troll being banned. One some of these threads, small cats began to appear.
The theme has stuck. You will also see "Viking Kitties" mentioned.
http://users.wolfcrews.com/toys/vikings/
Our Song!