A family of cats living in a Chinese museum have been saved from eviction following howls of protest on social media According to China Daily, the Forest of Stone Steles Museum decided to evict the felines - who live in the museum and who apparently are regular stars in tourist photos - after a visitor complained that one of the cats had scratched her kid when he tried to play with its kittens.The museum put up signs saying "Please do not put the cats in danger for your own pleasure" while its staff tried to corral the cats to give them away. According to China Daily, the internet soon got wind of the plan and citizens began leaving angry message on the museum's Weibo page.story_article_left1As cats are the most popular animal on the internet, the complaints naturally went viral and the museum had to backtrack. On Monday the museum apparently posted a message on its Weibo page saying the cats could stay and thanking people for their concern.The museum said it would sterilise the cats and give them insect repellent. "We are dedicated to providing a warm and loving environment for the cats and our visitors," it said.Perhaps the museum should follow the lead set by the Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia, where 74 cats roam the corridors and storerooms below the museum, cared for by three volunteers.The tradition dates back to 1745 when Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great, issued a decree to bring to her rat-infested palace an army of the biggest cats that could be found, along with someone to look after them.Nice work, if you can get it.According to The Daily Telegraph, every resident cat at the Hermitage is listed by name in the museum's ledger, along with its chosen living quarters, "working" area and what it likes to eat. Their upkeep is funded by donations which - because they are now famous cats - keep rolling in...