Larry the Cat is celebrating 15 years as Chief Mouser for No.10, a tenure that has seen him outlast six Prime Ministers and survive considerable Parliamentary upheaval, including the 2016 Brexit referendum, the four-year Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Born as a stray in 2007, Larry was taken in by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home before being adopted at four years of age by Downing Street staff. Initially intended to be a pet for David Cameron’s children, he quickly stepped into the role of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office in a bid to deal with Number 10’s rat problem.
A Celebrity in His Own Right
Now a celebrity, Larry receives fan mail from across the world and has been at the centre of some very funny stories. During Donald Trump’s state visit in 2019, he photobombed the US president’s official doorstep picture and napped under his limousine. He was also caught on camera getting a police officer to let him in to Number 10, and he famously chased a fox away from the official residence in 2022.
When the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, David Cameron made the tough decision to leave Larry behind after he resigned. The ex-Prime Minister said: “He belongs to the house and the staff love him very much – as do I.”
Other Pets in Downing Street
Rescue pup Dilyn moved into Downing Street with Boris Johnson and now-wife Carrie Symonds in 2019. He was rescued by Friends of Animals Wales from a puppy farmer, who was said to be planning to dump him because of his misaligned jaw. The Jack Russell terrier cross made headlines early on for his mischievous behaviour, such as chewing furniture and cocking his leg on an aide’s handbag.
Boris also shared that he liked expressing his “romantic urges” by amorously clinging on to people’s legs, and there were even claims his former aide Dominic Cummings held a grudge against Dilyn for doing so. Johnson famously took his canine companion to the polling station for the 2019 general election, with the duo making newspaper covers all around the world following his victory. The sweet pup also featured on the ex-Prime Minister’s official Christmas card. Dilyn was largely kept away from Larry, who was said to hold a “dim view” of the dog after repeatedly having his food stolen.
Gorgeous Nova made her entrance into Downing Street in 2021, initially living at No.11 with then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The fox red labrador retriever moved next door when Rishi got promoted to Prime Minister the following year. He had reportedly adopted the dog when his two daughters asked for a canine companion, having fallen in love with Boris Johnson’s pup Dilyn. While Nova didn’t make the headlines like her predecessors did, she has made a lot of public appearances. She was filmed receiving a poppy outside No.10 for the launch of the 2022 Poppy Appeal. Sources also reported that she made herself at home quickly, enjoying snacks of roast chicken and taking naps in the Chancellor’s red Budget box. Nova also had some “heated exchanges” with Larry, according to Rishi’s wife Akshata Murty, with the cat always coming out on top.
Recent Arrivals and a Notable Absence
Rescue moggy JoJo moved into No.10 in 2024, when Sir Keir Starmer was elected Prime Minister. The cat has been part of the family for many years and is treated with reverence by Sir Keir’s two children. He told BBC Derby: “If JoJo wants food, or a seat on the settee, or to sit on the kid’s bed he’s got pride of place.”
Two months after the ex-PM won the general election, the family brought home a new Siberian kitten called Prince. He was the result of “long negotiations” with the kids, who originally wanted a German Shepherd. Sir Keir said the new pet was mainly there to help his son and daughter get used to life in the public eye. But he was careful to keep both cats well away from Larry, explaining: “I am worried that Larry will come off the better.”
Adorable Axel was adopted from Dogs Trust Shrewsbury in 2017 by Andy Burnham and his wife. But he’s not moving into Downing Street, since the Prime Minister decided to keep his main residence in Greater Manchester. He’s also got quite a bit of attitude, according to Andy, who says: “He’s got that angry little man thing going on.” The ex-PM told BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg: “I don’t think the nation would thank me if I brought Axel down to disturb Larry’s world.”
