Larry outside 10 Downing Street. Photo: 123rf.com
Cats are masters at making their humans jump into action, so it's not surprising that some have taken on careers. Here are some of the finest.
Tama, a calico cat in Kinokawa, Japan, was part of a feral community as a kitten. However, she grew up around trains, eventually being recognised as a station master and operating officer at Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line from 1999 until 2015.
In Alaska, admirers of Stubbs, a ginger kitty, organised a write-in campaign that resulted in his being appointed honorary mayor of Talkeetna. Despite wild adventures that included a dog attack and falling into a cold pan filled with oil, Stubbs held the position from April 12, 1997 until July 21, 2017, when he passed away at the grand age of 20.
Larry has been Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street since 2011. Photo: 123rf.com
Britain has a tradition of hiring cats in government. Larry has been Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street since 2011. Larry was involved in public scandals when quarrelling with Palmerston, the cat who worked as Chief Mouser in the Foreign Office.
However, Palmerston has retired to the country while Larry has kept his position. Larry has a distinguished career that has lasted through the premierships of five prime ministers.
