Larry the Cat returns to Downing Street after surgery, with 'at least six lives left'
Larry the Cat, the British government's 19-year-old Chief Mouser, has returned to 10 Downing Street after undergoing surgery to remove a cyst and is recovering well, the prime minister's office announced on October 9.
"Our Chief Mouser Larry is back at Downing Street following a minor operation, and is recovering well," the official Downing Street account wrote on X.
"He is feline much better but taking things one paw at a time," the statement added, thanking veterinarians for their care.
According to The Telegraph, Larry underwent surgery to remove a cyst and returned to Downing Street with a shaved patch of fur and a visible scar.
An unofficial social media account posting in Larry's name reassured followers that the veteran government cat still had "at least six lives left."
Larry arrived at Downing Street in 2011 after being adopted from an animal shelter and has since served under seven British prime ministers.
Now 19, he is approaching a historic milestone. If he remains in his post for another two years, he could surpass Peter III, who served as Downing Street's resident mouser from 1947 to 1964, as the longest-serving cat in the role.
For now, Britain's most experienced government official is taking his recovery one paw at a time.