Despite a growing mouse problem in the Palace of Westminster, a recent proposal to bring in feline pest control was firmly rejected. Construction risks, safety concerns, and care logistics were all part of the reasoning.
Ongoing building work in Parliament creates serious risks. Cats could wander into off-limits areas or get stuck in equipment zones. The maze of scaffolding and active machinery is not a safe space for animals, no matter how agile they are.
In such an environment, even the best mousers face life-threatening hazards. While the idea of cats patrolling the historic halls sounds helpful, Parliament says it is not worth the risk.
Safety Concerns Led to the Ruling
petlife_uk / Instagram | Parliament doesn’t have a daily animal care system in place. Without designated feeders or check-ins, cats would be left to fend for themselves across a vast and unpredictable estate.
Many of the doors across the Westminster estate are automatic or self-closing. This feature could leave cats trapped for long periods.
With no guarantee of someone checking inside every room, a trapped cat could go without food or water. For Parliament, that is not an acceptable gamble.
Instead of four-legged hunters, Parliament hires licensed pest control teams. These professionals deal with infestations in a controlled, predictable way and work within tight health and safety standards.
It may not be as charming as cats catching mice, but officials say it is more practical. There is also substantial annual spending to back it up.
Officials hope the added efforts will bring down rodent numbers, at least temporarily. But even this surge won’t include any cats on patrol.
However, not all government buildings reject cats. Larry has held the title of Chief Mouser at Number 10 since 2011. He has become a bit of a celebrity and is still going strong.
Larry is now joined by Jojo and a Siberian kitten, expanding the feline team. Unlike Parliament, Downing Street keeps its cats in one secure area with daily care.
Palmerston, the former cat of the Foreign Office, retired in 2020. He later relocated to Bermuda for what officials called a “diplomatic role.” While that title was mostly symbolic, it shows how these cats have become semi-official figures. Still, Parliament doesn’t seem interested in making a similar appointment.
Over at the Treasury, Gladstone is another mouser with a job title. But staff say his duties are more laid-back.
The proposal to bring cats into Parliament came from Lord Berkeley, a Labour peer. He raised the idea in hopes of getting a humane and low-maintenance solution to the mouse issue.
Senior Deputy Speaker Lord Gardiner of Kimble responded to the proposal. He made it clear that the risks outweigh the benefits.