Cats have lived and worked at the historic Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg since it was founded in 1764. Every spring, the staff honors the felines who keep the museum free of rodents. Some of the cats arrived on their own, but many are born and live out their lives there where they are well cared for by the staff. The Hermitage is one of the largest museums in the world and is housed in six buildings, including the magnificent Winter Palace.
