Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office is celebrating his 12th year of service this week. Larry the cat has held the position at 10 Downing Street since February 15, 2011. He holds the joint record of serving the most Prime Ministers with his predecessors, Peter and Peter III. He is a spry 16-year-old.
Larry makes frequent television appearances while he conducts his rounds outside 10 Downing Street. Larry is known for his strict anti-pigeon policy. Larry does not lack self-esteem. He has a Twitter account and he knows how to use it.
They should put this on stamp.
(Photo @LightHackers) pic.twitter.com/fp6FczTixU— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) February 10, 2023
Time flies when you’re running the country… https://t.co/Bh8hw8zjWX
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) February 14, 2023
12 years ago today I was appointed Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office and moved into Downing Street. I’ve already outlasted four Prime Ministers and have been in charge here longer than Thatcher, Blair, Churchill and Disraeli. pic.twitter.com/Qax54F5eqr
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) February 15, 2023
He is just a softie at heart. I’m ok with Larry running the show, given some of the past Prime Ministers.
It’s has been a pleasure to serve you all for these last 12 years. If you’re ever asked if you have a cat, but don’t have the joy of one at home, know that you can answer yes; because I am yours and always will be x
(Pic @PjrFoto) pic.twitter.com/ssFRpWlumB— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) February 15, 2023
Larry is a rescue cat. His is a pretty sweet life.
The Chief Mouser’s tenure began on Feb. 15, 2011, shortly after TV cameras caught footage of a rat outside the entrance of No. 10. The U.K. Cabinet, under then-Prime Minister Cameron, rescued Larry from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and appointed him as Chief Mouser.
“Larry spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defenses and testing antique furniture for napping quality,” Larry’s profile on the U.K. government website reads. “His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house.”
There have been some bumps during Larry’s tenure. His job performance was called into question in 2011 when there was a mouse sighting. In 2016 a visit to the vet suggested his health might be deteriorating. No need to worry, for now anyway. Four months ago a video hit social media of Larry chasing a fox away from No. 10 and that signaled all is well with him.
Attaboy, Larry.
Larry is not going anywhere, unlike the Prime Ministers who come and go.
To answer some of your questions:
– No I’m not “Rishi Sunak’s cat”
– I live here permanently, politicians are temporary residents
– Some of them very temporary
– I agree, he’s not off to a great start
– No, I’ve not found his wallet. Yet. pic.twitter.com/9AsGqrtesz— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) November 4, 2022
May Larry have many more years of service to whoever is living and working at 10 Downing Street.
There are a couple of other cats of note, too. One is Gladstone, Chief Mouser to HM Treasury.
Here he is waiting for a Valentine’s Day delivery.
It’s Valentines Day so I’m expecting a large delivery very soon. pic.twitter.com/5EbsP7cij7
— Gladstone 🇺🇦 (@TreasuryMog) February 14, 2023
Gladstone’s position is a new one.
The incumbent Chief Mouser to the HM Treasury, Gladstone is the first cat to hold this position. Despite assuming the position in June 2016, the fallout of Brexit meant that the announcement of Gladstone’s appointment wasn’t made until late July.
Within 48 hours of arriving in his new offices, Gladstone was making waves within the HM Treasury in Whitehall by catching his first mouse. A go-getter in government, Gladstone has a strong social media following, proving that he is a skilled hunter and a dab hand at public relations too.
The other mouser of note is now deceased. Palmerston, Chief Mouser to the Foreign Office, is known for his public standoff in Downing Street with Larry.
Following his adoption from Battersea Dogs & Cat’s Home in 2016, Palmerston held the title of Chief Mouser of the Foreign Office for a little over four years until he died in 2020. The black and white cat was the first and, to date, the only feline to have held the title.
Like any political career, Palmerston’s tenure wasn’t one without scandal when in July 2016, he and Larry the Cat had a public standoff in Downing Street over a contestation of role jurisdiction. Shortly after this altercation, Palmerstone was unfortunately caught on camera sneaking into No.10 where, a short time later, he was escorted off the premises by a police escort, making him the first cat burglar to serve in the British government.
“We need a cat!” Simon said, staring at a hole in his carpet. Normally he made decisions about foreign policy but the Foreign Office mice could no longer be ignored. Kay, his assistant, looked doubtful: “We’ve never had a pet here. Who would look after him when we went home?” pic.twitter.com/bioW9wqFhJ
— Palmerston (@DiploMog) August 25, 2020
Gladstone wishes you a Happy World Cat Day.
Today is World Cat Day. Time to give extra treats and cuddles to those cats closest to you 🐈⬛❤ pic.twitter.com/a67kaqFaGY
— Gladstone 🇺🇦 (@TreasuryMog) February 17, 2023
