Hermitage cats

The museum has a press secretary dedicated to the cats,[1] and three people act as caretakers.

[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.

[4] In the late 1990s, Khaltunen began a programme to care for the cats, which previously lived in poor conditions.

"Catfest" has included cat painting contests and scavenger hunts for children.

[6] Beginning in 2015, because of the number of visiting tourists, a website has been set up by the museum for people who may be interested in adopting a cat.