Overview

The Hermitage cats are a long‑standing population of domestic cats that live on the grounds of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. They serve both a practical role — reducing rodents in cellars and storage spaces — and a cultural one, forming a well known part of the museum's identity. The cats are tended by a small team including an appointed program director and caretakers who coordinate daily feeding, medical care and public communications with the museum press office and a designated secretary for external inquiries and the news media.

History and tradition

Cats have been associated with the Hermitage for centuries. Historical accounts and local tradition trace the presence of felines at the museum back to the era of the Tsars, when animals were commonly kept in palaces and storerooms to protect valuable collections from pests. Over time these working animals became part of the institution’s living heritage. In earlier periods they were allowed to move freely through the galleries and service areas, while modern museum standards have confined their primary residence to protected areas.

Living arrangements and care

Today the cats mostly live in the museum’s service levels and cellars; caretakers say many also spend time outside on the river bank and the nearby plaza during warmer months. The museum maintains indoor facilities such as kitchens for meal preparation and a small infirmary to provide basic veterinary attention. Individual animals are spayed or neutered to prevent uncontrolled litters, and caretakers take note of food preferences and special needs.

  • Sleeping and resting areas are located in the museum basement and staff quarters.
  • There is a modest on‑site hospital for treatment and recovery.
  • Kitchens are used to prepare diets tailored to the cats’ tastes and health requirements (kitchens).

Management, funding and public role

Care of the Hermitage cats is funded through a combination of donations, charitable contributions and corporate sponsorship. The program has received help from private donors and donations, organized charity efforts, and product sponsorship from pet food companies (sponsorship). The staff who oversee the animals include a small dedicated team; media interviews have identified one long‑time program director and several caretakers as the people responsible for feeding, socialization and record keeping.

Population and notable facts

Counts of the cats have varied over time. Public statements by program staff reported roughly sixty animals on site in 2010 and a higher count (seventy‑four) in 2013; veterinary policy keeps the population under control through sterilization. The Hermitage cats attract attention from visitors and the press, and they are often cited as an example of how cultural institutions can maintain living traditions while balancing collections care and public interest. For further inquiry or official information, the museum provides designated contacts and occasional media updates via its press resources (media links).

Note: The Hermitage cat program is an evolving practice. For the latest details on visiting policies or the animals’ status consult the museum’s official channels and statements (Hermitage, Saint Petersburg, Russia).

Additional resources and historical material about the cats and the museum’s approach to animal care can be explored through institutional reports and press material available from the Hermitage and related cultural organizations (galleries and archives). For specific questions about caretaking, funding or sponsorship contact the museum’s program staff or use the listed public channels (secretary, news).