Larry the Cat marks 10 years of ruling Downing Street as Chief Mouser
Astalwart of the British political scene, Larry the Cat has ruled the roost in Downing Street for a decade, serving three prime ministers and becoming a legend in his own naptime.
The tabby-and-white cat arrived at 10 Downing Street on Feb 15, 2011, at the age of four.
He was adopted from London's Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, an animal shelter, and was chosen for his mousing skills, according to his biography on the Downing Street website.
He received the title of Chief Mouser – the first inhabitant of the prime minister's famous residence and office to do so.
But while he did catch three mice in his early months, according to David Cameron, his first prime minister, he has since disappointed, leaving the role in the "tactical planning stage".
Nevertheless this nonchalant operator has clung onto power.
While lacking the killer instinct, Larry has made fur fly in very undiplomatic spats with feline rivals including Palmerston, the black-and-white resident of the nearby foreign ministry.
Palmerston has since turned tail, quit politics and retired to the countryside in 2020.
Larry's soft-power diplomacy has "captured the hearts of the Great British public," according to Downing Street.
That includes building up a rapport with the journalists, photographers and camera crews stationed outside, who reward him with strokes and snacks.
When Cameron left Downing Street in 2016 after the British public backed the vote "Leave" campaign, Larry steadfastly stayed on.
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