As you step into Lyuba's apartment, it is the silence that strikes you. This is not what you would expect, since Lyuba Zausalina - who has become something of a Moscow celebrity  - shares her one-room flat in Vykhino with 45 cats and 2 dogs. Dozens of eyes follow you as you move from the door to the main room and yet not a meow, bark or squeak is heard. There are cats everywhere: they are perched on the cupboard, the chests of drawers, the benches, the tables, the television, the hat stand; they huddle together on bookshelves, form a heap on the bed; the two fattest and most mature cats assert their dominance over the rest by securing the comfiest spots on the bed.

"I started sheltering cats when my children left home," explains Lyuba as she strokes a strikingly handsome one-eyed Siberian.  Lyuba's apartment serves as a cat shelter where people bring and collect homeless cats. "Recently an 80-year old lady with 15 cats passed away," says Lyuba as she opens a tin of cat food in the middle of her cramped living room. The floor seems to move as cats swarm about her legs in anticipation. "I took in the cats, and now with 45 of them, I am unable to accept any more, it's just getting too crowded."

As she bends down to empty the contents of two large tins onto fresh newspaper sheets, cats rush over from every corner. "It gets quite expensive looking after them. They get through at least six large tins a day, and even then not all of them get to the food." Lyuba gets no financial help to care for her strays. All the food is paid for by her and until recently she paid for the cats' neutering as well. "I used to get a good rate per group at a clinic in Dynamo. I can now get it done for free at another place." Lyuba pays for the treatment of sick cats herself. "This little one has kidney stones and I buy all his medication," sighs Lyuba as she points to the 180 ruble medicine bottle. Also, cleaning the eight litter-boxes is an almost full-time occupation.

"I'll be a hunchback soon," she laughs.

Lyuba occasionally receives much needed donations. She was impressed by the enterprise and dedication of a group of children from the Anglo-American school who came over with their teachers to bring food and toys.

Karina Romanos, from Belgium, acquired her Siberian cat, Shuba, last March. "Lyuba told us how affectionate she was. She has won over my husband, who is really a dog person!"

"In our local shelters each cat is kept in a cage for 6 months and then gets destroyed," laments Lyuba. These cats look very content, there is the convivial atmosphere of a great big happy family as the cats doze blissfully in a mass of fur and tails on the bed or climb onto guests' knee purring affectionately. "There's no room for me in that bed," laughs Lyuba. "They push me right up against the wall!"

What Lyuba desperately needs now is for people to relieve her of some of the cats. "It's always sad to see a long-time resident finally leave," she says, "but when you see them go to a good home, you realize that they're better off."  n

The cats' ages vary from 4 months to 18 years.

All are neutered, house-broken and in good health. If you are interested in obtaining a cat or making donations call Lyuba on 8 499 741 5772.

By Nathalie Cooper