The purrrrrfect employee! Cat is given job at Russian museum after April Fool's prank claiming the moggy had applied for a job was taken seriously (and he's paid in caviar)

  • Marai the cat is official doorman at Serpukhov Museum of History and Art
  • He was hired after staff pretended to share his job application online 
  • He is paid in meatballs and caviar and is a huge hit with visitors  

By Caroline Mcguire for MailOnline

Published: 08:50 EST, 11 April 2016 | Updated: 23:30 EST, 11 April 2016

A cat has become the latest employee at a Russian museum after an April Fool's prank backfired.

The ginger feline first started to hang around the Serpukhov Museum of History and Art in Serpukhov two years ago and became such a regular face that staff took him under their wing and nicknamed him Marai, in honour of the building's ex-owner Anna Maraeva. 

Then earlier this month, workers played a prank on their Instagram page, claiming that Marai had been put on the payroll after applying for a job in the company.

Marai the cat is the doorman at the Museum of History and Art, in Serpukhov, Russia 

Marai the cat is the doorman at the Museum of History and Art, in Serpukhov, Russia 

The job appointment came after museum staff pranked followers of its Instagram page, claiming the cat had applied for a job with a covering letter 

The job appointment came after museum staff pranked followers of its Instagram page, claiming the cat had applied for a job with a covering letter 

They posted a picture of the cat's supposed covering letter online that had been signed with a paw print.

It read: 'As I am a direct relative of [Anna] Maraeva, I ask you to give me a job in ​your museum. Marai The Cat.'

But after local media took the story seriously, the museum was forced to create a position for Marai. 

He is now the official door man for the Serpukhov Museum of History and Art. 

Marai welcomes visitors to the museum in his position as doorman 

Marai welcomes visitors to the museum in his position as doorman 

The cat is paid in meatballs and caviar instead of with a monthly pay cheque
The cat is paid in meatballs and caviar instead of with a monthly pay cheque

The cat is paid in meatballs and caviar instead of with a monthly pay cheque

Marai is responsible for welcoming visitors between the hours of 9am and 5pm every day, with a break for lunch. 

Accommodation is provided in the form of a tent and he is paid in meatballs and caviar. 

The appointment has been a huge hit with visitors, who have been posting selfies with Marai on social media, with some even bringing treats for him as gifts.  

The cat works between the hours of 9am and 5pm every day to earn his keep 

The cat works between the hours of 9am and 5pm every day to earn his keep 

Marai has become a firm favourite with visitors, who like to catch a selfie with the famous resident
Marai has become a firm favourite with visitors, who like to catch a selfie with the famous resident

Marai has become a firm favourite with visitors, who like to catch a selfie with the famous resident 

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