Office of the Chief Mouse Catcher Larry

Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office Larry is a resident cat living at the official residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street in London. Larry was appointed to this position on 15 February 2011 and is the first cat to hold this title officially.^【1】 Larry, a grey-and-white striped tabby, was adopted by then-Prime Minister David Cameron from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London to address a rodent problem. As of 2026, Larry is celebrating his 15th year in office and has served under six different prime ministers.

Historical Context and Origin of the Title

The position of Chief Mouser has a history spanning over 500 years and was established to safeguard the health and security of the British government. Historical records suggest that the tradition may date back to 1514, when Cardinal Thomas Wolsey introduced cats to the royal palace.^【2】 The term “mouser” was first recorded in English around 1440, and by 1929, official records show payments made from the government budget for the care of a cat named Peter.^【3】 Although cats such as Humphrey and Wilberforce served for many years prior to Larry, the official title of “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office” was formally established with Larry’s appointment.

Appointment and Rise to Office

Larry arrived at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, 15 February 2011, after Prime Minister David Cameron determined he needed “a new assistant” to combat a rodent infestation. Following media footage showing large numbers of rodents around the residence, Cameron’s office adopted Larry from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Cameron’s team emphasized that Larry, having previously been a stray cat, was accustomed to fending for himself and was therefore the ideal candidate for this demanding role. Larry was described at the time as a strategic “ally” equipped with whiskers, claws, and sharp teeth.^【4】

Duties and Responsibilities

According to the British government, Larry’s official duties are broad and varied. While his primary responsibility is to control rodent populations in the residence, his daily routine also includes greeting guests, inspecting building security measures, and testing the suitability of antique furniture for napping.^【5】 Although reports on his rodent-catching abilities vary, Larry has occasionally made headlines for catching mice and even once captured — though later lost — a pigeon. He is also known for his talent in “photo bombing” during visits by foreign leaders.

Chief Mouser Larry on International Cat Day (Flickr)

Political and Social Relationships

Larry has developed varying relationships with the prime ministers who have served at 10 Downing Street. David Cameron denied rumors of a strained relationship with Larry, praising both the cat and the staff’s affection for him. Cameron stated:

"Unfortunately I cannot take Larry with me; he is part of the house and the staff love him, and so do I."^【6】

During Theresa May’s tenure, Larry was temporarily removed from the residence on security grounds prior to her resignation speech.^【7】 During the terms of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, Larry occasionally shared the residence with other pets — Dilyn and Nova — sometimes leading to tensions.^【8】 Larry’s territorial disputes with Palmerston, the Foreign Office’s resident cat, and publicized clashes between the two have been covered by the British media. Larry has won the public’s affection and receives numerous gifts and treats daily.

Though generally aloof toward men, Larry has shown affection toward former U.S. President Barack Obama and has been seen smiling at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.^【9】 In 2019, during a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, Larry was photographed sleeping under the presidential armored vehicle (“The Beast”), drawing media attention.^【10】 Conversely, Theresa May, who described herself as a “dog person,” had a distant relationship with Larry; his temporary removal by police during her resignation speech reflected this distance.^【11】

15 Years in Office and Current Status

As of 15 February 2026, Larry has completed 15 years in office at 10 Downing Street. He is currently approximately 18 or 19 years old. Although his age has slowed him somewhat, he continues to patrol his territory and spends much of his time sleeping on the windowsill above the radiator just inside the front door.