It is obvious to me that every government building needs to be kept clear of rats, both literal and metaphorical!
LA Times: Larry the cat takes up residence at London’s famous 10 Downing Street
Photo: Larry looks out a window at Number 10 on Feb. 15. Credit: Mark Large / Reuters / Click thumbnail to see original
Larry the cat — a rescue from a London shelter, we’re pleased to point out — has joined the staff at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British prime minister, in response to concerns about the rodent population there. Prime Minister David Cameron’s office is now home to the tabby-and-white domestic shorthair, who was adopted from the U.K.’s well-known Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
A rat scurrying around Number 10 was caught on video by the BBC last month, and speculation quickly began swirling that the prime minister would get a cat to take care of any rodent problems. Apparently Cameron’s children were hot on the idea, so after some weeks of hesitation, Larry finally arrived at Downing Street this week.
Prior to striking it rich, Larry was a stray found wandering the streets of London. He’s believed to be about 3 to 5 years old and appears to have been on the streets for some time, according to Battersea. He had no identification and was not microchipped.
[…]
Asked why Larry was chosen over other cats at Battersea, Cameron spokesman Steve Field told Bloomberg News that the cat “showed a very strong predatory drive and enjoyed playing with toy mice,” important qualities for a cat in Larry’s new line of work…
— Lindsay Barnett
Tags: David Cameron, Larry the Cat, Open thread
