Larry the No 10 cat drafted in as official rat catcher of Downing Street
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:24 PM on 15th February 2011
Last updated at 1:24 PM on 15th February 2011
He was chosen by Downing Street staff after rats were seen scurrying across the doorstep during live TV news broadcasts.
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True blue: Larry the cat is the latest official appointment to Downing Street
The tabby and white short-haired moggy is from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and will now enjoy the rarefied surroundings of London's most exclusive address. He is believed to be between three and five years old.
Like his politician minders, Larry has been noted to have a 'strong predatory drive' and talented at sniffing out a rat.
He has also been described as active, lively and confident with bags of character.
Kirsty Walker, Head of Cats for the charity for twenty years got to know Larry well and revealed: 'Larry is a great match, because he is a very sociable cat who enjoys attention and loves human contact.'
Larry will have access to most of the offices and official rooms at Number 10 and will be looked after by members of staff.
Purrfect fit: Claire Horton, CEO of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London, holds 'Larry'. She said she was sure Larry will do the charity proud
It is the first such official appointment since stalwart ratter Humphrey was retired in 1997, shortly after Tony Blair arrived in Downing Street. It was said that wife Cherie was not a fan of felines.
Humphrey was succeeded for a short period by Sybil, the pet of then chancellor Alistair Darling, in 2007 - but the renowned mouser failed to settle and returned to Scotland.
A source close to David Cameron said his family were ‘very excited’ at the prospect of welcoming Larry into their home - even if the pro-cat faction only won the argument ‘by a whisker’.
He added: ‘The whole family really loves cats. They have had two cats in the past and would love to have one in No 10.’
Larry was picked by a number 10 member of staff but the two older Cameron children, seven-year-old Nancy and Elwen, four, are said to have had the final say over the cat.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1357213/Downing-Street-cat-unveiled-Larry-Battersea.html#ixzz1E2XMhToW
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