From Strays to Stars: Cats Who Rule Famous Venues

Cats have charmed their way into notable locations across the globe, including the White House, luxury hotels, and historic museums. Figures like Willow, Lilibet, and Larry are not just house pets but also mascots enhancing the appeal of their iconic homes. These feline stories highlight the unique bond between cats and their favored humane spaces.

It's a classic tale of being in the right place at the right time, like how Willow, a stray gray, green-eyed cat, found herself at a Joe Biden rally in 2020. She leaped onstage and left with Jill Biden and is now a cherished resident of the White House.

London has its own feline royalty with Lilibet, a Siberian Forest cat at the Lanesborough Hotel. Guests frequently book stays just to meet the resident cat, named after Queen Elizabeth II. Across the Thames, Larry the cat at 10 Downing St. has served longer than most prime ministers, keeping the official residence rodent-free.

The Hermitage Museum in Russia hosts about 80 cats, welcomed to control the pest population. Similarly, the Hemingway House in Key West boasts 59 descendants of Hemingway's own cat, Snow White. Museums and notable venues appreciate these 'mascots' for their unique charm and value.

(With inputs from agencies.)