Hermitage_cats
Hermitage cats
Group of cats living in a museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Hermitage cats (Russian: Эрмитажные коты) are a group of cats residing in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The museum has a press secretary dedicated to the cats,[1] and three people act as caretakers.[2] The cats live in the museum's basement, and they also appear on the embankment and on the square during the summer. In previous eras, they roamed throughout the museum galleries.[3]
In 2010, Maria Khaltunen (also "Khaltunin" or "Haltunen"), who directs the museum's cat programme, stated that there were 60 cats on the museum grounds, even though the staff has a joke that officially the museum is only supposed to have 50 cats.[4] Irina Popovets, who became the head of the cat department, stated that the cats were "as well-known as our collections".[5]
In May 2013, the count had grown to 74 cats, of both sexes (but neutered), according to Haltunen.[2] There are kitchens for preparing their food ("they all have different preferences"), and even a small hospital.[2]
As of 2013, donations (a €400-per-month payment from the charity Pro Animale, and the sponsorship of Royal Canin) fund the presence of the cats.[2]