A stray cat started hanging around the Serpukhov Museum of History and Art in Serpukhov, Russia, a couple of years ago. The museum staff took him in, and Maray became quite popular with museum visitors. For April Fool’s Day, the museum sent an “application letter” from Maray asking for a job to the local press. In English, it said:
Application. As I am a direct relative of [Anna] Maraeva, I ask you to give me a job in your museum. Maray The Cat.
Anna Maraeva is the former owner of the building, and inspired Maray’s name. The letter was accompanied by a press release that announced he had been hired. The museum staff got a laugh, but the media pounced on the story and made inquiries about the cat. So the museum had to make good on the “joke” and gave Maray the official title of doorman. He is paid in food and affection. See pictures of Maray at work at Buzzfeed.
(Image credit: Serpukhov Museum of History and Art)