9 Must-Visit Global Museums for Cat Enthusiasts

Around the globe, several museums celebrate cats by displaying feline artifacts, organizing cat-themed exhibits, and even housing actual cats. Here are nine such destinations that honor our furry friends.

1. THE CAT MUSEUM // KUCHING, MALAYSIA

Kuching, Malaysia, is a paradise for cat lovers—its name translates to 'cat' in Malay. The city boasts giant cat statues, a radio station named 'Cats FM,' and even hosted the 2017 ASEAN Film Festival and Awards, where attendees helped break a Guinness World Record for the largest group of people dressed as cats. Naturally, Kuching is also home to an extraordinary cat museum.

Housed in the Kuching City North City Hall, the museum features four galleries packed with thousands of cat-related artworks, artifacts, photographs, and other items (including an Egyptian cat mummy). These exhibits explore the history of cats and highlight their cultural significance across various societies.

2. THE CAT MUSEUM // ŠIAULIAI, LITHUANIA

In Šiauliai, Lithuania’s fourth-largest city, a unique cat museum was established in 1990 by animal enthusiast Vanda Kavaliauskienė. Her extensive collection of cat memorabilia outgrew her apartment, leading to this charming attraction. Guests can explore thousands of items, such as photographs, artworks, and miniature cat figurines from around the globe, or relax with the resident cats. (For those seeking variety, there’s also a small zoo featuring exotic animals.)

3. THE CAT MUSEUM // MINSK, BELARUS

At the Cat Museum in Minsk, Belarus, visitors can admire cat-themed art, participate in special exhibitions, enjoy books and games about cats, create their own feline-inspired artwork, and relax in a cat-themed café. The museum’s adoptable rescue cats, led by Donut, the feline “director,” roam freely, adding to the experience.

4. KATTENKABINET // AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Located in a beautifully restored 15th-century house along Amsterdam’s Herengracht canal, the KattenKabinet (“Cat Cabinet”) art museum explores the influence of cats in art and culture. Founded by homeowner Bob Meijer in 1990, the museum was created as a tribute to his cherished late cat, named John Pierpont Morgan after the renowned American banker.

The KattenKabinet features a dedicated section honoring John Pierpont Morgan, alongside an impressive collection of original works by artists such as Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Rembrandt—all showcasing cats. The museum’s resident felines also play a role in guarding these masterpieces.

5. THE SERPUKHOV MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART // SERPUKHOV, RUSSIA

The Serpukhov Museum of History and Art houses a remarkable collection of Western European and Russian artworks and antique furnishings. Many of these treasures were donated by A. Maraeva, a prosperous merchant, and the museum is situated in her former estate.

Beyond showcasing local history, the Serpukhov Museum is known for its playful sense of humor. In 2016, staff members pranked local media by crafting a fake job application from Maray, an orange cat named after Maraeva, who often greeted visitors at the mansion. The letter, signed with a paw print, humorously requested, “As a direct descendant of Maraeva, I ask for a position at your museum. Sincerely, Maray the Cat.”

The museum shared the letter with Russian media, announcing they had accepted Maray’s “application.” The story garnered so much attention that the museum decided to officially employ Maray as their feline doorman. He now works a regular 9-to-5 schedule, has a designated spot in the museum, and is rewarded with food and shelter.

6. THE MANEKI NEKO MUSEUM // CINCINNATI, OHIO

For enthusiasts of Asian culture and feline charm, the Maneki Neko, or Lucky Cat Museum, in Cincinnati offers a unique experience. This compact art space showcases over 1000 figurines of the Japanese maneki neko, the iconic “beckoning cat” with a raised paw, often seen in Asian establishments as a symbol of good luck and wealth.

Micha Robertson, the museum’s founder and curator, started gathering maneki neko statues in various shapes, sizes, and styles over a decade ago. Her collection grew so extensive that she established a small museum to showcase her treasures. "For me," Robertson explained to WVXU in 2015, "it’s about exploring a simple concept—a cat with a raised paw—and seeing how it’s reimagined in countless ways. Each piece is unique, even those with similar designs. I’m captivated by the diversity of interpretations, and the more unconventional, the better."

Robertson’s passion is shared by others: Japan is home to two similar tributes to the maneki neko, including the Maneki Neko Art Museum in Okayama and the Maneki Neko Museum in Seto.

7. YUMEJI ART MUSEUM // OKAYAMA, JAPAN

Admirers of Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934), a prominent Japanese artist and poet from the Taishō era, can explore museums honoring his legacy in Okayama and Setouchi, Japan. However, only the Okayama museum features Kuronosuke, a black cat who acts as the museum’s “manager” and official mascot.

Kuronosuke was rescued by museum staff in 2016 after narrowly escaping a car accident. Noticing his resemblance to a black cat in one of Takehisa’s artworks, they appointed him as a charming addition to the museum. Dressed with a red ribbon, Kuronosuke began greeting visitors several times a week starting in December 2017. His appearances are unpredictable, as he seems more focused on hunting mice than mingling with guests.

8. THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THE HOUSE CAT // SYLVA, NORTH CAROLINA

Harold Sims, a former biology professor, has dedicated over 30 years to amassing an extensive collection of cat-related memorabilia alongside his wife, Kay. In April 2017, Sims unveiled the American Museum of the House Cat, located within a Sylva, North Carolina antique mall. The museum’s two rooms are packed with up to 10,000 items, showcasing feline-themed art, crafts, and curiosities. (Sims’s personal collection holds even more treasures.)

The American Museum of the House Cat features an array of unique items, from antique cat toys, including 19th-century automatons, to an ancient Egyptian cat amulet from 1000 BCE and a mummified cat found in a 16th-century English chimney. Proceeds from admissions support Catman2, a no-kill cat shelter Sims established in 2002 near his home in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The shelter, which rescues 60 to 80 cats annually, also houses additional feline-inspired artwork.

9. THE STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM // ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

The State Hermitage Museum boasts a collection of over 3 million artworks and artifacts, housed within a sprawling complex of historic structures. Protecting these priceless items are vigilant security agents, many of whom come equipped with tails and whiskers.

Once the Winter Palace, home to Russia’s tsars, the museum’s main building has been inhabited by cats for centuries, starting in 1745 when Empress Elisabeth requested “the finest cats of Kazan” to control the palace’s mouse population. During Catherine the Great’s reign, these cats earned the title of “Winter Palace cats.”

The museum’s current feline residents are far from royal. Many, if not all, are former strays, some discovered near the museum’s heating system in the 1990s. Their presence alone is believed to keep mice at bay, protecting the art from damage as effectively as any security measure.

Cared for by dedicated volunteers and overseen by a press secretary, the Hermitage cats are allowed to wander staff offices (though galleries and the director’s wing are off-limits). They are also available for adoption.