The Feline Guardians of Leningrad: Honoring the Cats That Saved a City from Plague and Famine

In a quiet courtyard on Kompozitorov Street in Saint Petersburg, a unique bronze monument stands as a testament to the unsung heroes of the Great Patriotic War. This sculpture depicts a cat perched comfortably on a stool beneath the warm glow of a floor lamp, a scene of domestic peace that belies the harrowing history it commemorates. The pedestal itself is crafted to resemble a fragment of a parquet floor—a poignant reminder of the wooden floorboards that desperate residents burned for warmth during the brutal winters of the Siege. Officially unveiled on September 27, 2016, following its initial installation on September 4 of that same year, the monument was established through the heartfelt initiative of local citizens to honor the feline protectors of their ancestors. The memorial plaque bears a simple but powerful inscription: “In memory of the cats of besieged Leningrad.”

The year 1942 remains etched in history as one of the most agonizing periods for the people of Leningrad. Beyond the relentless starvation that claimed hundreds of lives every day, the city faced a secondary, terrifying catastrophe: a massive infestation of rats. Eyewitness accounts from the era describe rodents moving through the streets in organized, unstoppable columns, occasionally growing so dense that they forced tram traffic to a complete standstill. These pests posed a dual threat, not only by consuming the city's dwindling and precious food supplies but also by heightening the risk of devastating epidemics. Despite various attempts to eradicate this “fifth column” of vermin using traditional methods, all efforts proved utterly futile against the sheer scale of the swarm.

During the height of the food crisis, the city’s natural defense against rodents—its cat population—had been decimated. Driven by the primal instinct to survive, many residents were forced to consume their pets, with contemporary diary entries revealing that cat meat often became the final, desperate means of staying alive. However, once the blockade was partially breached, the urgent need to restore the balance of nature became clear. In the spring of 1943, Soviet authorities organized a “feline draft” to combat the vermin. This operation began with the arrival of four train wagons from Yaroslavl, filled with smoky-furred cats renowned for their hunting prowess. Eventually, approximately 5,000 animals were transported from across Siberia and other regions, including the cities of Tyumen, Omsk, and Irkutsk, to reinforce the city's defenses.

By January 1944, the economic value of these animals reflected their critical importance to the city's survival. While a loaf of bread might fetch 50 rubles on the black market, a single kitten was valued at a staggering 500 rubles, making them a truly priceless resource for the weary population. These newly arrived feline reinforcements proved remarkably effective, systematically clearing the city of the rodent plague and securing the remaining food stores for the people. Their success was not merely a matter of pest control but a vital contribution to the public health and morale of a city that had been pushed to its absolute limits during the conflict.

The legacy of these wartime rescuers continues to this day within the halls of the State Hermitage Museum. While the tradition of “Hermitage cats” actually dates back to the 18th century, many of the animals currently residing in the museum are the direct descendants of those Siberian cats brought in during the 1940s. Today, more than five hundred felines are officially recognized as museum staff members, tasked with protecting the world-renowned art collections from potential rodent damage. These “employees” receive regular care and are “paid” in the form of high-quality food, maintaining a living connection to the historic events that saved the city decades ago.

Every year on January 27, Saint Petersburg marks the anniversary of the complete lifting of the Siege of Leningrad in 1944. This day of remembrance serves to honor all those who participated in the city's defense, from the soldiers on the front lines to the civilians who endured unimaginable hardship. Included in these tributes are the four-legged heroes whose arrival signaled a turning point in the battle against disease and hunger. The monument on Kompozitorov Street stands as a permanent reminder of their service, ensuring that the story of the cats of Leningrad—and their role in the city's ultimate survival—is never forgotten by future generations.