Tragedy in Kaliningrad Cat Cafe: 22 Cats Die After Boiling Water Floods Shelter

A devastating accident occurred overnight at the "Meow Meow” cat café in Kaliningrad, where a burst pipe flooded the premises with boiling water, killing 22 cats and leaving several others seriously injured.

According to preliminary reports, the pipe burst sometime around two o'clock in the morning. By the time the staff discovered the flooding, water inside the café had risen to knee level.

Eleven cats survived the disaster, although one of them remains in critical condition.

Natalya Shikhova, head of the "Nashi" animal shelter, told Klops that many of the surviving animals suffered severe burns to their respiratory systems.

"If he survives long enough, we will take him to intensive care, but his chances are very slim. Most of them suffered burns to their airways, trachea, and larynx. Many had bleeding from the nose. The poor animals were literally boiled alive. In the morning we collected the bodies of the dead cats. Now cremation lies ahead, and we will have to pay 66,000 rubles for it,” she said.

Cats Became Trapped While Hiding

The owner of the café, Tatyana Korobchenko, explained that the flooding was first discovered by the night-duty employee in the morning.

"Most likely, the pipe burst around two in the morning. The café has two floors, and apparently the cats that were downstairs died. When the water started pouring in, they were frightened and hid inside their little houses, and when the hot water rose higher, they could no longer get out,” Korobchenko said.

According to her, the initial leak reportedly began in a neighboring room before water started pouring through cracks in the ceiling, after which another pipe burst inside the café itself.

"The property owners assessed the scale of the damage and will begin repairs tomorrow. They are cooperating with us. This was a tragic chain of circumstances,” she added.

Under Russian law, animals cannot simply be buried in the ground, as their remains are classified as biological waste and must undergo mandatory cremation.

The disaster has sparked an emotional reaction online, with many people expressing grief and outrage over the deaths of the animals.

Surviving Cats Continue to Receive Treatment

Volunteers and veterinarians are continuing efforts to stabilize the surviving cats, many of which inhaled steam and boiling water during the flood.

The tragedy has once again raised questions about building safety standards, emergency response systems, and the protection of animals kept in public facilities.