Peta (cat) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peta
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| Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office | |
| In office 1964–c. 1976 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Alec Douglas-Home Harold Wilson Edward Heath |
| Preceded by | Peter III |
| Succeeded by | Wilberforce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Isle of Man |
| Residence | 10 Downing Street |
| Occupation | Mouser |
| Gender | Female |
Peta, also known as Manninagh KateDhu, was a very special cat. She worked for the United Kingdom government as the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office from 1964 until around 1976. Peta was the first female cat to hold this important role. She lived at 10 Downing Street, the official home and office of the Prime Minister.
Contents
Meet Peta: The Government Cat
Peta took over the job after the previous Chief Mouser, Peter III, passed away in 1964. Peter III had been 16 years old. After his death, a special suggestion was made. Sir Ronald Garvey, who was the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, thought a Manx cat would be a great replacement. Manx cats are known for having no tail or a very short one. So, Peta, a Manx cat from the Isle of Man, was sent to the Cabinet Office to begin her new career.
What is a Chief Mouser?
The Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office is an official title given to a cat that lives at 10 Downing Street. Their main job is to catch mice and rats that might get into the building. This helps keep the important government offices clean and free of pests. It's a very old tradition, and these cats are considered part of the government staff!
Peta's Journey to Downing Street
Peta arrived at 10 Downing Street in 1964. She was chosen to continue the tradition of having a cat protect the historic building from rodents. Her arrival marked a new chapter, as she was the first female cat to hold this prestigious position. She served under several Prime Ministers, including Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, and Edward Heath.
Peta's Personality and Challenges
Even though Peta had an important job, she was known for being a bit unique. People described her as being quite lazy and sometimes loud. She also had some trouble with her toilet training, which caused a few issues. By 1969, some of the people working in the government offices, called civil servants, thought about removing her. However, they decided against it. They worried that removing the Chief Mouser might cause bad publicity and make people unhappy.
Life After Downing Street
Peta continued her duties for several more years. Eventually, she retired from her government role. We didn't hear much about her after 1969 until 1976. That year, a reply to a question from a member of the public revealed her whereabouts. Peta had retired to live with a kind civil servant, where she could enjoy a peaceful life away from the busy world of politics. After Peta, another cat named Wilberforce became the next Chief Mouser in the 1970s.
