Larry the cat celebrated 15 years as Downing Street's chief mouser on 15 February 2026. The 19-year-old tabby has served under six prime ministers since being adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011. Originally intended as a pet for David Cameron's children, Larry has become a fixture outside Number 10.
His official duties include inspecting security defences, testing antique furniture for napping quality, and contemplating solutions to the mouse occupancy of the house. The role of chief mouser has been occupied by a cat since the 1920s. Larry's tenure surpassed that of Peter III, who served from 1947 to 1964.
Larry has had notable run-ins with other government cats, including a four-year feud with Palmerston, the Foreign Office's chief mouser who retired in 2019. He also fought with Freya, then-chancellor George Osborne's cat. Despite his official role, Larry was dubbed 'Lazy Larry' for his slow start in catching mice, making his first kill at age four in April 2011.
His interactions with politicians have been mixed. He gave Liz Truss the cold shoulder during a meeting with her Danish counterpart, and one of Sir Keir Starmer's ministers described him as a 'little s***'. Ian Murray called him 'the most miserable animal you'll ever meet'. However, Larry remains a popular figure among the press and public, often seen outside Downing Street.
