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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th April 2016
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“Chief mouser” moves into Foreign Office
Palmerston joins the Foreign Office
Palmerston will reside in the office of Sir Simon McDonald, the Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant.

Moggie named after former Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston 

A domestic cat moved into the Foreign Office today (13 April) to keep rats, mice and other invasive critters at bay.

Re-homed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, two-year-old Palmerston joins the government department under the title “chief mouser”.

The Whitehall moggie is thought to be named after Lord Palmerston, a former prime minister described as “a charismatic and popular figure.”

Living just yards away from David Cameron's cat Larry, Palmerston can look forward to greeting international visitors and setting his sights on rodents.

“Palmerston will have no problems making friends and foes in the Foreign Office,” commented Battersea’s head of catteries, Lindsey Quinlan.

“He’s a very confident cat, loves being with people, and enjoys a good chin rub. But nothing escapes the attention of this Battersea moggy and we know he’ll have an eagle eye out for unwanted visitors, whiskers twitching and ready to pounce at the right moment, to keep his new home free of rodent interlopers.

“If his behaviour at Battersea is anything to go by, we predict Palmerston will be a formidable feline, very deserving of his new name.”

Palmerston follows in the footsteps of Freya, once owned by chancellor George Osborne and a regular visitor to the Foreign Office.

When not on patrol, Palmerston will reside in the office of Sir Simon McDonald, the Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant. He’ll have access to most offices and official rooms and will be looked after by all members of staff.

“I am delighted to welcome Palmerston to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” commented Simon. “In his role as FCO Chief Mouser, he will assist our pest controllers in keeping down the number of mice in our King Charles Street building. I hope that Palmerston’s impact will be as considerable as his namesake’s.” 

Battersea rehomed 3,107 cats across the UK last year, with around nine cats leaving for new homes each day.

The animal charity now rehomes more cats than dogs, and runs an annual Purr Minister competition to crown the top cat in Westminster.

This year’s Purr Minister was awarded to Pixie and Smudge, owned by MP for Croydon North Steve Reed.

Image (C) Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.