April Fools' jokes can go wrong, but sometimes they go so, so right.

Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum decided to get in on the pranking action by making people believe that a cat had applied for a job at the museum. That cat is Maray, an adorable and friendly orange cat who has been hanging out at the museum since 2014. 

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"The idea was born before April 1 as a joke," the museum's Head of Tourist Information Nina Strelkova told Mashable in an email. "My colleague Galina Stroeva wrote an article on our site about the cat, Maray. Then I sent it to the local and regional media stating that Maray the cat wrote a statement to work at the museum, but that we do not have a job for him."

Credit: Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum

The media misunderstood the intended joke and the headlines all stated that a cat had been hired at the Serpukhov Museum. 

"After that, we received a flurry of calls to the museum from the federal TV channels asking him to come and make a report," Strelkova explained. "Thus, under public pressure, the joke became reality: Maray's candidacy was approved, and now he's the doorman."

Maray's duties include welcoming people into the museum and meeting each visitor. 

"Maray comes to work at exactly 9 a.m., just like all the other employees. He sits near the entrance to the museum and meets visitors," Strelkova said. "He meows and politely shows visitors to the entrance. He has lunch at 1 p.m., after which he walks around for an hour. His workday ends at 5 p.m."

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Credit: Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum

At the end of the day, Maray retires to a carriage house on the museum grounds where he sleeps and enjoys his day's pay, which includes a salary of fish and cutlets.  

"Maray does not eat cat food," Strelkova told Mashable. "He eats almost like a person. He eats several burgers a day, and prefers fish for dinner."

 Visitors love the new doorman and constantly ask for selfies. 

When asked whether she thought the museum would ever hire another feline employee, Strelkova held her cards close to her vest.

"Anything is possible, but for now he is my subordinate," she said.

Credit: Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum

Credit: Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum

Credit: Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum

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TopicsAnimals