Cat World Domination Day

Are cats trying to take over the world…or have they already? The annually-celebrated Cat World Domination Day recognizes the possibility. Let’s look at this lighthearted cat holiday and how it got its start.

It all starts innocently enough. You might notice that your six a.m. alarm has been replaced by a four a.m. wake up call from your feline family member, who has a sudden craving and is meowing a reminder that that can of cat food in the kitchen isn’t going to open itself.

Then you discover that any closed door is considered an insult to your cat, who feels that he must have access to every corner of your abode at all times.

Finally, as your furry family member forfeits his plush cat bed in order to take on the role of your bedroom’s official mattress tester you come to a realization: your cat has become the supreme ruler of your house.

Could it be that cats have even higher aspirations?

Today they reign over our homes…tomorrow they take over our home planet? While only time will tell, one thing is certain: they already rule over our hearts!

When is Cat World Domination Day?

Celebrated each year on June 24, this cute and quirky cat holiday was created in 2012 by blogger Janiss Garza of Sparkle The Cat fame as a birthday present for her feline friend.

Although Sparkle is no longer with us, her memory lives on through her books Dear Sparkle: Advice From One Cat To Another and Dear Sparkle: Cat-To-Cat Advice From The World’s Foremost Feline Columnist.

Cats Who Have Ruled with World Leaders

While cats have yet to rule the world, several felines have been friends with world leaders over the years:

Canada

As the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper not only counted cats Stanley and Gypsy as members of his fur family, he also fostered felines in need!

England

Over the years a number of cats have considered Number 10 Downing Street their address. Those who have held the prestigious title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office include:

Rufus of England (aka Treasury Bill) — Although the appearance of cats in English government dates as far back as the 1500s, the first feline recorded as a Prime Minister’s mouser was a cat with an orange coat, who proudly presented his captured prey to Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in the late 1920s.

Peter — The first cat to officially hold the position of Chief Mouser was a black cat who lived in the Home Office. Working diligently from 1929 until 1946 to rid the area of rodents, Peter served under Prime Ministers Stanley Baldwin, Ramsay MacDonald, Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill and Clement Atlee.

Munich Mouser — Named by Winston Churchill, Munich Mouser worked from 1937 until 1940.

Peter II — This black cat’s days as Chief Mouser were few, as he was struck by a car and killed on June 27, 1947, only six months after taking on the position.

Peter III — Named after his ill-fated predecessor, Peter III gained fame over the course of his 16 1/2 year tenure as Chief Mouser, serving under Clement Attlee, Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas Home.

Nelson — Named after Horatio Nelson due to his courage when chasing a canine, this grey stray was adopted by Winston Churchill. Working alongside Munch Mouser after moving into 10 Downing Street, the two felines were said to be adversaries.

Peta — This black Manx holds a place in history as the first female Chief Mouser to The Cabinet Office.

Wilberforce — A black and white rescue cat who was adopted from the Hounslow branch of the RSPCA, Wilberforce was considered to be “the best mouser in Britain.” Margaret Thatcher thought so highly of him that she brought the cat a present while on a trip to Moscow– a tin of sardines.

Humphrey — Britcom buffs may recognize the name of this long-haired black and white cat, which was inspired by the character of Sir Humphrey Appleby from the comedic political series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. A stray who came to stay at the Prime Minister’s residence and office when he was one year old, Humphrey was a master mouser for Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and for a short while, Tony Blair. While most of his days were spent at 10 Downing Street, Humphrey went missing at one point. He was found at the Royal Army Medical College, living under the name PC (short for Patrol Cat).

Sybil — Like her predecessor, this tuxedo cat was also named after a character in a Britcom. Sybil (inspired by Sybil Fawlty from the classic comedy Fawlty Towers) was the kitty companion of Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and held the position of Chief Mouser from 2006 until 2009.

Freya — Like her predecessor Sybil, Freya was also the purring pal of a Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne). Taken in as a stray, the tabby was a co-Chief Mouser of The Cabinet from 2012 – 2014, alongside Larry, the cat who would go on to continue the position following Freya’s retirement.

Larry — A rescue cat from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, in the year he took on the role of Chief Mouser cat adoptions rose in England by fifteen percent! His popularity has prompted the publication of two books: Larry Diaries: Downing Street- The First 100 Days, which was published in 2011, and Larry at Number 10, which became available in 2021.

Queen Alexandra — While Corgis were synonymous with the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and Jack Russell Terriers are the favorite four-legged friends of King Charles III, during the days of King Edward II cats presided over the royal residences. As a fan of felines, Queen Alexandra had several cats, among them three Persians: Monarch, Ossy and Sandy, whose name was inspired by Sandringham House.

Queen Camilla — Although dogs rule in the hearts of the British royals, the Queen Consort also has a fondness for our feline friends. Once a pet parent to a black cat called KitKat, Her Royal Highness also helps to raise awareness of companion animals who need forever homes as the royal ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. (During her days as The Duchess of Cornwall she even took part in the opening of a new Battersea cattery!)

Princess Diana — When the childhood home of the late Queen of People’s Hearts displayed the exhibition “Animals of Althorp” fans of felines had the chance to view a pastel portrait of Marmalade, an orange tabby who was a young Diana’s purring pal.

France

Louis XV — A wide array of animals lived at Versailles during the reign of Louis XV, including many felines. Having a special fondness for Turkish Angoras, two members of the breed were among the king’s cat companions. Brilliant, a white Angora, curled up on a red velvet mat by the fireplace in the counsel room during the king’s meetings, while Le General, a black Angora, was immortalized in an oil painting by artist Jean-Baptist Oudry.

Marie Antoinnette — The last queen of France was a pet parent to six Turkish Angora cats, and it is believed that she had planned to set sail for America with her feline fur family during a daring rescue from prison which never took place.

United States

Abraham Lincoln — According to the Presidential Pet Museum, Mary Lincoln once stated that cats were her husband’s “hobby.” During his presidency Lincoln was a pet parent to two purring pals named Dixie and Tabby.

President Rutherford B. Hayes — The 19th President’s family included a trio of cats– Piccolomini, Miss Pussy and Siam. Siam made history as the first Siamese cat in the United States!

Theodore Roosevelt — The 26th President was a pet parent to a polydactyl grey tabby named Slippers, as well as a cat who was named Tom Quartz after a character in Roughing It, a novel by another famous fan of felines, Mark Twain.

Woodrow Wilson — Along with dogs, birds and sheep, the 28th President also had two cats known as Mittens and Puffins.

President Calvin Coolidge — The 30th President of the United States loved animals, and his fur family included a raccoon named Rebecca, a donkey called Ebeneezer, a goose known as Enoch, several birds and canine companions, and four feline friends. The cats in the Coolidge clan were: Blackie, Bounder, Iger and Timmie.

John F. Kennedy — For one brief, shining moment a cat named Tom Kitten lived in the White House. Unfortunately, the President was allergic to Caroline Kennedy’s kitty companion, and Tom soon moved in with a member of staff.

President Gerald R. Ford — Following the Coolidge presidency, five decades passed before the paws of a president’s purring pal would promenade through the halls of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The next cat who considered The White House home was Shan Shein, a miniature Siamese who was the cat companion of the Fords’ daughter, Susan.

President Jimmy Carter — A feline with a misleading moniker, Misty Malarky Ying Yang was a male Siamese who was doggedly devoted to the President’s daughter, Amy. The cat’s unique name even inspired a toe-tapping tune by jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo.

President Bill Clinton — Named after a beloved kitty character created by children’s author Beverly Cleary, Socks‘ bond with books continued when First Lady Hilary Clinton compiled missives from children to the First Feline and First Fido for the book Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters To The First Pets.

President George W. Bush — Named in honor of baseball player Ruben “El Indio” Sierra, a black cat named India was a fur baby in the Bush family for almost 18 years, until she crossed Rainbow Bridge while living in The White House.

President Joe Biden — Named in honor of Dr. Jill Biden’s hometown of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, in 2022 a tabby cat named Willow made the leap from farm cat to First Feline.