A video with a striped and mustachioed employee of one of the Moscow fire departments was shown on his page on the social network Kommersant on the day of the rescuer. As a gift for the tailed one, there were not only sweets, but also special shoulder straps.
In Russian fire brigades, cats have long become not just residents, but full-fledged members of the team. They even have their own unspoken detachment - “Semyonychi detachment”, - reports the press service of the Moscow Emergency Situations Ministry. At the moment, more than 300 animals are serving in different parts of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. These are mostly dogs and cats, but there are also squirrels, fish, and even turtles. They fulfill an important task - they give warmth and support, help rescuers and firefighters with their presence after difficult trips.
Tolik the cat appeared in the Moscow fire department No. 89 in the Southeastern Administrative District of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in October 2020. While extinguishing a fire in Pechatniki district, senior firefighter Sergei Chernya went to the fire truck to get a new oxygen cylinder, and a small fluffy lump ran towards him. The rescuer put the kitten in the car to warm it up, and after calling the firefighters decided to leave it in the unit.
So Anatoly the kitten, or just Tolik, found a new family. And he has been living with the firefighters for more than four years now, and has become their loyal friend and mascot.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Moscow, Tolik has no favorite place - he sleeps and lies wherever he wants. But most often he is noticed in the office of the fire chief and next to the garage attendant. He also likes to do professional training with firefighters. Anatoly is a real hunter. Catches mice, lizards and birds. The cat itself is very calm, affectionate and friendly.
Tolik is a member of the squad “Semyonychi”, so in December 2024, on the eve of the Day of the Rescuer of the Russian Federation, he was awarded the title - Warrant Officer of the Internal Service for conscientious fulfillment of cat duties. They even sewed miniature shoulder straps for him, and in the future they plan to sew a uniform.
Photos of the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Moscow.