Larry the Cat Celebrates 15 Years as Downing Street's Chief Mouser
Larry the cat is marking a significant milestone of 15 years as the official mouse catcher at Number 10 Downing Street, having served under six prime ministers during his tenure. The 19-year-old tabby, formally known as the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, has become a familiar and cherished sight outside the Prime Minister's front door in central London, capturing the hearts of the British public with his frequent appearances.
From Battersea to the Heart of Government
Larry was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011, originally intended as a pet for the children of then-prime minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha. In his role as chief mouser, he is tasked with controlling the rodent population in the building at the heart of the British Government, although his success in this duty has been a subject of some dispute and light-hearted debate.
A Long History of Feline Service
The position of chief mouser has a rich history, with various felines occupying the post since the 1920s. Historical records even indicate cats residing in Government residences dating back to the era of Henry VIII. Now, at over 90 in relative human years, Larry is believed to have made his first kill on the job at the age of four in April 2011, showcasing his early dedication to his role.
High-Profile Encounters and Feline Feuds
A favourite among the bank of press cameras, Larry was once witnessed pouncing on a pigeon while the media waited for an update on post-Brexit negotiations with the EU. His career has also included fractious relationships with other domesticated animals. He was known to fight with the late Palmerston, a cat brought in to control the mouse population in the Foreign Office buildings neighbouring Downing Street.
Former chancellor George Osborne's cat Freya also engaged in conflicts with Larry when she lived at Downing Street, although the two were said to have largely coexisted peacefully. Akshata Murty, the wife of former prime minister and chancellor Rishi Sunak, once told Sky News that Larry had "heated exchanges" with her family's Labrador puppy Nova while they lived in Downing Street, with the cat always having "come out on top".
Welcoming International Guests and Political Leaders
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in February last year that he was initially having to keep his family's Siberian kitten Prince away from Larry, in case the Downing Street veteran "doesn't like him". The Starmers had two cats when he took office in 2024, Prince and Jojo. Larry has also been reported to be "not very keen on men", according to Lord Cameron, who was surprised at how well the pet gelled with then-US president Barack Obama, one of the many international guests Larry has welcomed to Downing Street.
The chief mouser sometimes appears in official records of such visits, and can be seen lurking on a windowsill in a photograph of Baroness Theresa May with US President Donald Trump while she was prime minister. Throughout the last 15 years, Larry has often provided moments of light relief amid the stormy political news, lying on the step of No 10, seemingly unaware of the important announcements due to be made by the UK's political leaders.
