Cats in Russia can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Russia's Ministry of Construction has ordered to allot space for cats in the basement of all apartment blocks. Apartments will be required to construct 15 -centimetre- wide passages to enable cats to leave and enter.

Animal rights activists have long urged authorities to stop bricking up ventilation holes through which cats can freely leave and enter the basement. Activists said that in the past, cats often ended up dying after being immured in the basement. It were simply unable to get into the shelter during the cold season.