Now aged 19, Larry has become a familiar sight outside the glossy black door of Number 10, where he has lived since 2011.
Adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home during David Cameron’s time in office, the tabby was brought in to help tackle a persistent rodent problem within the historic building.
A job steeped in history
Over the years, he has quietly observed a succession of prime ministers come and go, serving under six leaders while maintaining his official title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. Though debate occasionally surfaces about his hunting record, Larry’s presence has endured far longer than most political careers.
His role continues a tradition, stretching back more than a century, with government buildings long relying on cats to deter mice. Larry was the first to formally take on the position in years, reviving a custom that had lapsed after the retirement of a previous Downing Street cat in the late 1990s.
A steady presence in changing times
Frequently photographed lounging on the doorstep or prowling along the railings, Larry has provided moments of light relief during periods of national uncertainty. He has been spotted stretching in the sunshine, chasing pigeons across Whitehall and occasionally interrupting live television broadcasts.
For many, he is not just a working cat but a lasting symbol of continuity in British public life, quietly carrying out his duties as governments rise and fall behind the famous black door.
