In Honor Of First Cat Willow Biden, Lets Take A Trip Down Memory Lane: Politicians And Their Pets

SamHaKosem

May 20, 2022 11:00 AM EDT

This week, President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed a new member to their White House family when they brought Willow home. Willow is a short-haired tabby cat, and she's named after Dr. Biden's hometown of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Politics aside, because that's not what we do here, we were absolutely gushing over this gorgeous little feline, and got curious about what other adorable pets have graced the White House grounds before her. We know that the Biden's also have a couple of dogs, but who else has been walking those hallowed halls throughout history? Thankfully, the internet can answer most questions, and we were able to put together a definitive list!

These aren't all the White House pets that have come before, nor is it even close to half. But, we picked out some of our favorites, from the cute to the weird, and compiled them for you to enjoy. We've got a handful of Presidents with regular pets, one family who had a litter of puppies, and a few Commanders in Chief tending livestock on the White House grounds. Altogether, that leaves us with a hilarious compilation of Presidents and their pets that we just know you're going to enjoy. Plus, if you can't get enough of great content like this, you can subscribe to our newsletter or find us on Instagram!

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01
Here's Willow

via The White House

By now, everyone should be familiar with Willow Biden. She made a big splash when she joined her family at the White House, and has been featured on the White House twitter account a few times since, as they joke about her watching over her brother Commander. President Biden actually promised fellow Democrat Rick Telesz that he would adopt a cat should he become President. Willow isn't the first White House cat though. There have been a long line of felines before her, like this next one on our list!
02
Everyone Meet Socks

via Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images

Socks was President Bill Clinton's cat during his time in the White House. He was actually found as a stray, and then adopted by the Clintons, and when they first got to the White House he was their only pet. Since President Clinton's administration was in power during the early internet days, they were trying to find a fun way to draw people to the White House website. So, they made a kids version of the site using Socks as the mascot. After the Clinton's left office however, Socks went to live with one of the family's secretaries, since he kept getting into arguments with the family's new dog!
03
The Reagans Had Two Cats, Cleo and Sara

via Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
04
Nixon's Famous Dog Checkers Passed Before He Won The Presidency

via Bob Gomel / Getty Images
05
Caroline Kennedy's Pet Pony Was Named Macaroni

via Getty Images
06
Wilson Used Sheep To Mow The Lawn During The War

via Getty Images
07
George W Bush Had Two Dogs, And A Troublemaking Cat Named India

via Getty Images
08
President Bush, Millie, And Six Of Her Puppies

via Michael Sargent / Getty Images
09
Taft Owned The Last White House Cow, A Holstein Named Pauline Wayne

via Getty Images
10
Socks Wants Your Attention

via White House

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