Mastering a profession is not only the domain of humans but also of animals. While dogs have long worked for humans, the situation with cats is somewhat more complicated. Here are a few occupations that people have tried to involve cats in.
Spy
In the 1960s, CIA operatives trained cats to spy on the Soviet embassy. Equipment for recording conversations was implanted in the animals' bodies. However, the cats displayed disobedience, and the project failed.
Postman
In 1876, 37 fluffy cats were selected in the city of Liège (Belgium) to become postmen — similar to carrier pigeons. Letters were placed in waterproof pouches attached to the cats' collars. The animals generally managed the task, but it took too much time, leading to the project's cancellation.
Astronaut
On October 18, 1963, a cat named Félicette was sent into space as part of the French space program. She bravely endured all the challenges and successfully returned to Earth, becoming the first and only cat in space. A few days later, another cat was set to be sent into space, but a launch failure occurred, resulting in the animal's death. Fortunately, no further attempts were made to send cats into space.
Composer
In 1996, Rabbi M. Kotel was playing the piano when his cat jumped onto the instrument and walked across the keys. The owner recorded the notes and later submitted his pet's improvisation to a competition, where it received good reviews. It was later performed in one of New York's museums in the presence of the cat-composer himself.
Museum Keepers
The cats of the Hermitage are rightly considered one of the symbols of St. Petersburg. The “Cat Service” has its history dating back to the 18th century — from the moment Peter the Great settled a cat brought from Holland in the Winter Palace. Subsequently, 30 cats from Kazan were brought to the palace by order of Elizabeth Petrovna to combat rodents.
