The House of Commons in the UK has been denied a request for a cat to help with its rodent infestation, as the use of poisonous traps in the building could harm felines, warns animal welfare group Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. According to the Daily Mail, Battersea has stated that the House of Commons is not a suitable environment for a cat due to the presence of poisonous rodent traps. However, the group had successfully rehomed working cats to various government buildings in the past.
One such cat, Larry, a 16-year-old tabby who has gained fame through his own social media account, has been serving as the Chief Mouser at the Prime Minister’s Office since 2011. Another cat named Gladstone resides at the UK Treasury Office, while Palmerston, who is now retired, was a regular fixture at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. These cats have been effective in controlling rodent populations in their respective workplaces.
A former leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, revealed in an interview with the Sunday Times in May that the Commons was infested with rodents. She described the situation as “awash” with rodents and claimed that even a half-eaten bowl of crisps would be consumed by the next morning. Renovation work carried out in February has been blamed for the presence of rats and mice in the parliament buildings, as they were forced to migrate from Underground train stations.
The British Pest Control Association estimates that there could be as many as 120 million rats in the UK, a number almost double that of the human population. The unusually warm winters in recent years have contributed to the thriving rat population, as previous harsh winters had effectively reduced their numbers. The government’s pest problems also extend to moths and bed bugs, with the House of Commons spending at least £112,000 ($142,000) in 2022 alone to tackle these issues.
The denial of a cat in the House of Commons highlights the challenges faced by the UK government in managing its rodent and pest problems. While cats have proven to be effective in controlling rodent populations in other government buildings, the presence of poisonous traps in the parliamentary environment poses a significant risk to these feline helpers. As the infestation continues, alternative measures may need to be explored to address the ongoing issue.
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