It’s true to say that many Libraries do have resident cats – and not just so we can make endless bad cat / cataloguing puns.

We also have the World famous (probably) Carnegie Cat. He even has a namesake at Brazil Public Library (In Indiana, USA).

A quick poll of staff at Leeds Beckett Library showed that quite a few of us did have cats, but not as many as you might think! Here are just a few…

First up we have….Handsome devil Bailey, he is around 7 years old. A former tramp, he was plucked off the mean streets of Leeds and  now lives a luxurious life with hot & cold running cat biscuits.

He enjoys prowling around,  glaring at the dog over the road and chasing wheelie bins. He dislikes THE VETS! He can often be found posing on Instagram.

Cat

Next we have Pilchard who was adopted from the RSPCA 9 and a half years ago, when she climbed up the wire mesh of the pen and screamed loudly indicating that she was definitely going home with her new family. Her hobbies include bird watching, chasing spiders, and crime/murder mystery dramas.

Cat

Then we have Flossie aged 12 who is a haughty tortie.  Her favourite food is anything, and her favourite person is whoever is currently serving her.  She rules her household with an iron paw minus the velvet glove.  She is allowed to stay because she’s the best bit of the interior decoration. And she goes with the sitting room curtains.

Cat

Next up is Moglet, failing to understand how to sleep in a basket! She is the most non-destructive cat ever created – ‘clawing’ at furniture consists of gently rubbing her paws on the side of the sofa. She currently enjoys taking up most of her owner’s pillow when they are trying to sleep, looking adorable, and demanding food immediately by squeaking.

Cat

Keeping a watchful eye out on the world we have Ozzy, who is  7 years old.  He is lover not a fighter, especially if you have salmon.

Cat

Finally we have our “elder statescat” Pumpkin who is 20! She was adopted when she was 6 months old and has left her jumping and hunting days behind her. She finds life all a bit too much and likes to sleep, a lot!

Cat