Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Yelisei the Cat St. Petersburg


In Russia , during the course of the siege in world war II, most of the city’s pets were killed for food, but the authorities soon found that the lack of cats was causing a public health menace.

Rats multiplied, leading to unsanitary conditions, an increase in disease, and shrinkage of food supplies. What to do? 5,000 cats were brought in from other cities, and they put things right in short order. Rats were brought down, ergo, they didn’t eat up precious food stores or leave droppings that caused human illness.

There’s a monument to Yelisei the cat… for good luck, the people of St. Piter say that you should toss a coin at his feet… try it, it just might work for you.

8 comments:

Princess Jasmine said...

Yelisei sure is a handsome kitty. I'm glad they soon found out how important it is to have us kitties around huh :)xx

Mariodacat said...

Interesting facts. Bootiful statute too.

Stacy Hurt said...

I love bits of history like this. I'm fascinated with Russia to begin with. What a wonderful statue. *I* would toss coins!

zool said...

cool sculpture.. A black cat sometimes related to mystic

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

sad to think about, them being food...

Ariel said...

Great bit of history cat's are truly amazing.

P.S I accept your propsal to be my boyfriend cause your so handsome and dreamy.....Love Ariel

Fluffy and Heather said...

We love picking up random tidbits of history. I suppose it took a while for cats to return to the city and set things right once again.

Fluffy and Heather said...

We love picking up random tidbits of history. I suppose it took a while for cats to return to the city and set things right once again.