New Cat at Number 10 Downing Street

He began the year without a home, but as of February 15, 2011 Larry the cat is living the good life at one of the world’s most recognized addresses, Number 10 Downing Street.

Taken in from the streets of London by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in January, the staff at the popular animal welfare organization soon realized that the 3-5-year-old short-haired tabby was the perfect fit for the British Prime Minister’s headquarters, which had been searching for a cat to discharge the duty of discouraging Number 10′s rodents from taking up residence.

According to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the gender, color and age of the chosen new family addition was of no importance to the Prime Minister’s staff. The sole prerequisite for the potential pet was that the cat be a people purrer who would find new friends in those who come to call.

Prime Minister David Cameron said, “I’m delighted to welcome Larry to his new home. He came highly recommended to me by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, who did a fantastic job looking after him. I’m sure he will be a great addition to Downing Street and will charm our many visitors.”

The feisty feline promenades in the  paw prints of Downing Street’s previous resident rat catcher, Humphrey. A stray who came to stay back in 1989, Humphrey befriended Margaret Thatcher, John Major and, for a short time, Tony Blair before retiring in 1997 to a life of leisure which lasted until his passing in March 2006.

For more information about Battersea Dogs & Cats Home:

• visit www.battersea.org.uk

Watch Larry’s first day in his new digs at Number 10 Downing Street in the following Associated Press clip:

Photo Credit: Chris Montgomery/Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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