A Russian cat got a new chance at life and a new career after a close call on a trash plant conveyor belt just before Christmas. On December 21st, Mikhail Tukash, a worker at a trash sorting facility in Ulyannovsk, Russia, found the black and white feline tied inside a plastic bag on a conveyor belt. Tukash is required to open every bag to check inside for metal. This bag felt soft and when Tukash opened it, he saw eyes staring back at him. This moment was caught on surveillance video and when released, went viral in Russia. The region's Ministry of Environment honored Tukash with a letter of appreciation and said the cat had been on the brink of death," Reuters reported. The ministry adopted the cat and bestowed on him the honorary title of deputy environment minister. Photos of the cat already show him lounging at work.