Larry, the tabby cat who lives at 10 Downing Street, has turned 19. He holds the title Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, and he has worn it since February 15, 2011. That is a long time in any job. It feels even longer in politics.
Larry did not start out as a public figure. Staff chose him from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and brought him to Downing Street after rats appeared near the famous black door. The plan sounded basic. Get a good hunter. Cut down the problem. Larry arrived, settled in, and stayed.
These days, his role looks bigger than pest control. He pads across the steps, sits near the doorway, and watches the street like a guard who never clocks out. Cameras love him, and he seems to know it. He has a habit of turning up at the exact moment a big moment starts, then stealing the shot with a calm stare.
One cat. Six prime ministers.
Larry has lived at No.10 through six prime ministers. He arrived during David Cameron’s time, then stayed for Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer. Leaders change, advisers rotate, and the headlines move fast. Larry stays, and he keeps the same routine.
That steady presence plays well with the public. People like familiar things, and Larry feels familiar. He looks like a normal cat, yet he lives at the most watched address in the country. That contrast lands every time.
The official tone around Larry stays playful, and it fits him. His job description talks about greeting guests, checking security, and testing furniture for nap quality. It even jokes about him “contemplating” the mouse situation. The humor works since it matches what people see. A cat that takes his time, then does what he wants.
Why does a government cat draw so much attention? Larry makes public life feel human for a minute. He brings a small, calm pause, and people welcome that.
A birthday that hits a nerve
Larry turning 19 lands in a year where many people feel squeezed. Costs rise, patience runs thin, and small stories carry more weight than they used to. A cat birthday gives people a clean break from the noise, so it spreads fast.
It links to another real theme too. Larry’s story started with rehoming. Battersea took him in, then placed him in a new home, and it turned into a national tale. Many pet owners see their own lives in that. A rescue animal gets a second chance, then becomes part of the family.
That same pressure shows up in other pet stories, and not just with cats and dogs. Some owners struggle to keep animals that need special care and higher running costs. You can read more about that shift here: unwanted exotic pets are rising as energy bills squeeze owners, says rescue.
The next milestone is close
Larry has another date on the calendar soon. February 15, 2026 marks 15 years since he moved into No.10. Few public figures last that long in any role tied to government. Larry has done it without speeches, without promises, and without a press team.
For now, the story stays simple. Larry is 19. He still shows up at the door. He still looks unimpressed. And Downing Street still feels like his territory.
