How to create your personal brand, according to Larry, chief mouser of the UK Cabinet

In February 2011, when former Prime Minister David Cameron was in power, 10 Downing Street adopted Larry from the animal shelter Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to tackle its rat problem. The feline was appointed chief mouser to the Cabinet Office, with official duties including “greeting guests, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality”, as stated on the UK government website.

While the rescue centre recommended Larry to the Number 10 staff for his mousing skills, his performance has been lacklustre. The cat civil servant only caught its first prey two months after employment. Rather than hunting for rodents, it preferred to sleep or spend time with a female cat named Maisie. The BBC reported that Cameron once had to throw a fork at a rat during a dinner with cabinet ministers.

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Surveys have indicated that having pets in the office could improve workplace well-being. Their presence promotes better mental health and creates a pleasant work environment.

Larry, who has outlasted five UK Prime Ministers, is a living testament supporting these findings.

Previous leaders who lived with Larry have openly expressed their fondness for him. Cameron said he and the Number 10 staff loved Larry and shared a photo on social media with the cat on his lap to dispel rumours of their frosty relationship.

Another former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also expressed gratitude to the chief mouser at the end of his service. Sunak also released a skit last Christmas that included a scene of him hugging and kissing Larry.

Larry has also greeted numerous world leaders. In a BBC story, Cameron mentioned that the cat seemed nervous around men, except for former US President Barack Obama whom it allowed to pet. Larry also stole the spotlight when he was captured lying on a window sill next to former British Prime Minister Theresa May, former US President Donald Trump and their spouses in a group photo.

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When Starmer began his term this past July, Larry made headlines as animal experts warned that it might not get along well with Jojo, the Prime Minister’s rescue cat. Reports have shown Larry to be territorial. The feline reportedly beat previous pets in the residence, such as Johnson and Sunak’s canine companions Dilyn and Nova respectively. Larry also repeatedly fought with Palmerston, its previous cat neighbour and the chief mouser of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, leaving it with scratches and a cut at its ear once.

After its first night with Starmer, Larry emerged seemingly unscathed. He stepped out into the rain and approached the press waiting for the new Cabinet on their first visit, as seen in a video released by the British online newspaper The Independent.

The book Larry the Chief Mouser: And Other Official Cats by Christopher Day reveals that the British government has long used cats to control rodent problems. This practice became more formal in the 1930s when government departments applied for allowances to keep them. According to an interview with the author in Politico, the UK’s first celebrity official cat was Peter III, who appeared in a BBC programme in 1958.

Larry is not the only feline the British government adopted that has garnered attention. Other cats’ social media accounts, including Palmerston and Evie, often receive positive engagement. Their presence leads to lighthearted and human-centric stories about the Prime Minister or the government, easing the tense political atmosphere.

Beyond the UK, animals related to politicians have also helped boost their public appeal. For example, according to an article in the peer-reviewed journal PS: Political Science & Politics, US presidential pets strategically appear less publicly during a recession and more frequently during economic growth.

Pets’ appearances help to humanise presidents, making them relatable to the public. On the other hand, strategically timing their absence avoids potential criticism of leaders not fully focusing on work or flaunting wealth during crises.

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