Cats are loved in our city. Although, of course, living in a northern city for an independent cat is not as pleasant as living in a southern seaside city. Most cats prefer to sacrifice their independence for warmth and nourishment. Cats are very popular as pets. But there is a small tribe of urban cats who have chosen the free-living life. Some of them were just unlucky enough to find a loving family. Someone ran out of the flat and could not find his way back. Some have their own home, but appear there only rarely, preferring independent walks. The independent life of cats in a big city is full of dangers, but cats are very important for the well-being of the city.
In this story I have combined photos I took on different days and in different parts of the city. These shots are quite typical. The top photo is a portrait of a serious yard cat. He doesn't trust passers-by and is ready to dive through the window at any moment. The small ventilation window belongs to a service building, inside there is a heating centre. The second photo shows the windows of the ground floor of an ordinary apartment building. The cats living in this flat love free life and the owners made a special bridge for them from the window to the pavement.
But not all cats walk on their own. Some cats live in flats all their lives and a short acquaintance with street life can end tragically for them. When such a cat runs out of the flat, it gets lost in an unfamiliar location. Cats look for a place to hide and sit there in terror without water or food. The photos show a basement window covered with bricks. A handwritten sign says, ‘Do not open please. We are trapping a house cat.’
Another typical yard. Cats live in the basement and locals bring food to these cats. Milk is poured into a bowl. Next to it is a plate with cat food (not visible in the photo). The next photo was taken in another neighbourhood of the city, in new buildings. A cat house made of improvised material stands in the courtyard of a business centre.
And in conclusion - a bit of street art dedicated to cats. Text on black tiles: ‘Meow’.
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| Smartphone | Google Pixel 3a |
| Location | Saint Petersburg, Russia |