Cats’ state service in the 18th century Russia

In the Russian tradition, cats have always been loved, symbolizing well-being and prosperity. They could enter churches, guarded food supplies in monasteries and parishes. Cats that could catch mice were highly valued. The 18th century holds a special place in the history of the cat's state service in Russia. It was then that the service became legal, which was also a recognition of the cat's successful «work» in the earlier years. The key place in the regulation of cat «service» belongs to the reign of Elizaveta Petrovna, when a series of decrees was issued on the order of recruitment, organization of service, rewarding and special housing for the cats at court. The problem of rodent control in Russia was acute throughout the XVIII century, as, indeed, in later years. Since only castrated cats were assigned to the service, and the raids of mice and rats followed with unfortunate regularity, recruiting for state service took place quite often. The 18th century was also the time when the image of a cat - a freedom-loving and cunning creature - firmly entered Russian culture and was even noticed by the nascent censorship. Apart from the «official» duties cats’ service now included making everyday life of the court beautiful. The cat itself became the favorite of people for many years. And in today's society, the cat still helps people. It has to hunt rather rarely, but the very presence of furry «employees» makes rodents avoid their «work» places.