Larry the Cat Marks 15 Years at 10 Downing Street

While prime ministers come and go, one resident at 10 Downing Street has remained constant for 15 years: Larry the cat, who just celebrated his anniversary as Britain's official Chief Mouser.

The tabby was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011, originally intended as a pet for then-Prime Minister David Cameron's children. Today, at 19 years old (over 90 in human years), Larry has outlasted six prime ministers and become a national treasure.

Larry's official title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, tasked with keeping rodents out of the building at the heart of British government. While his hunting success has been debated over the years, witnesses confirm he made his first documented kill at age four in April 2011.

The position itself has deep roots in British history. Various cats have served as official mousers since the 1920s, and records show felines lived in government residences as far back as the era of Henry VIII in the 1500s.

Larry's charm extends far beyond pest control. He's become a media darling, frequently photographed lounging outside the famous black door of Number 10. In one memorable moment, press cameras waiting for Brexit updates captured him pouncing on a pigeon instead.

Sunny's Take

There's something wonderfully stabilizing about Larry's presence during Britain's turbulent political years. While governments change and policies shift, a rescue cat from a London shelter continues his daily routine, reminding everyone that some constants endure.

His story also highlights the power of animal adoption. The cat once waiting for a home at Battersea now has one of the most famous addresses in the world, proving that rescue animals can rise to any occasion.

As Larry enters what would be his 90s in human years, he shows no signs of retiring from his post, offering Britons a furry constant in an ever-changing political landscape.