The Hermitage cats congratulated on their professional holiday
30 March 50 four-legged "employees" of the State Hermitage accepted congratulations in honor of his "professional holiday. "Day of March Cat" is dedicated to cats living in the museum and protect the priceless masterpieces from rodents.
Cat "labor dynasties" in the Hermitage can trace its history from the beginning of XVIII century, when Peter the Great placed in the Winter Palace was brought from Holland Cat. Later, from Kazan on the banks of the Neva on the order of the daughter of Peter - Empress Elizabeth were taken especially good at catching mice, cats, and only Catherine the Great, founder of Hermitage, has given the status of guards cats galleries.
These days, mewing to employees are treated as full members, as well as official salaries cats are not supposed to, "mouse-keeper" live on the donations of employees: twice a month, all interested persons make stronger contributions to the cat's budget.
Several years ago, was created "Foundation Friends of the Hermitage cats, which raises funds to feed and care of local cats, and also arranges different activities and exhibitions on the whiskered and hairy guards of the largest museums in the country. In the collected "charity" means cats are fed and treated if necessary.
Click here to see this article in russian: Эрмитаж поздравил котов с профессиональным праздником