Socks (cat) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Socks

Socks photographed on the South Lawn of the White House
Other name(s)	First Cat
Species	Cat
Breed	Domestic short-haired cat ("moggie" or mixed breed)
Sex	Male
Born	1989 (estimated) Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	February 20, 2009 (aged 19) Hollywood, Maryland, U.S.
Occupation	First Cat
Years active	January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
Owner	Bill Clinton Betty Currie
Appearance	Black and White "Tuxedo"

Socks Clinton (born around 1989 – died February 20, 2009) was a famous cat who lived with Bill Clinton and his family. Bill Clinton was the President of the United States at the time, so Socks lived in the White House!

Socks was a stray cat who was adopted by the Clintons. He was their only pet for the first few years Bill Clinton was President. Socks was so popular that his picture was always on the White House website for kids. When President Clinton finished his time in office, Socks went to live with Betty Currie, who was President Clinton's secretary. This happened because Socks and the Clinton family dog, Buddy, did not get along at all.

Socks's Early Life

Socks became part of the Clinton family in 1991. One day, he jumped right into Chelsea Clinton's arms! This happened at her piano teacher's house in Little Rock, Arkansas. Socks had a brother named Midnight, who was adopted by another family.

When Bill Clinton became President of the United States, Socks moved with the family. They moved from the governor's house in Arkansas to the famous White House in Washington, D.C. Even though he was the official "First Pet," Socks sometimes shared his food and water with a tabby cat named Slippers, who was a stray.

Socks was very friendly and often visited schools and hospitals. He helped make people happy! There was even a cartoon version of Socks that would guide children around the White House website. In December 2002, Socks was a special guest in the Christmas parade in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Socks and Buddy

Things changed for Socks in 1997 when the Clintons got a new pet. They adopted a dog named Buddy, who was a Labrador Retriever. Socks did not like Buddy one bit!

Hillary Clinton, the First Lady, said that Socks "despised Buddy from first sight, instantly and forever." President Bill Clinton even joked that he had an easier time getting Palestinians and Israelis to agree than getting Socks and Buddy to get along!

When the Clintons left the White House in 2001, they took Buddy to their new home. But they decided to leave Socks with Betty Currie, their secretary. This was to keep the peace between the cat and the dog. Sadly, Buddy died about a year later in 2002 after being hit by a car.

Socks's Later Life and Passing

In June 2008, Socks was still living happily with Betty Currie and her husband in Hollywood, Maryland. This was about 60 miles away from Washington, D.C.

However, Socks started to lose weight and his fur was thinning. In December 2008, it was reported that Socks was very sick with cancer. Sadly, Socks was euthanized on February 20, 2009, in Hollywood, Maryland. He had cancer in his jaw. He was about 19 years old.

Socks the cat at the podium in the White House Press Briefing Room.

Letters to the First Pets

First Lady Hillary Clinton wrote a children's book in 1998 called Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets. This book included more than 50 letters that children had written to Socks and Buddy. It also had over 80 photos of the two famous pets.

Images for kids

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  Socks sitting at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, 1994

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  A likeness of Socks hosted the children's version of the White House website.

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  Socks with Betty Currie, President Clinton's secretary

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  Socks peeking into his Christmas stocking in 1993

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  Socks with Easter eggs in 1994

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  Chelsea Clinton plays with Socks in the Oval Office in 1993

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  Socks perches on President Clinton's shoulder in 1993

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  Socks sits in Hillary Clinton's lap in 1995