Battersea Is Trying to Get Parliament to Adopt Cats For "Mousing"

The Battersea Dogs and Cats home has been pushing for Parliament to get a cat to sort out its rampant mouse problem since 2014, and they think they have found the two perfect participants.

The charity approached the House of Commons to suggest taking on one of their mousers (Peggy or Simba) in early 2014. I was revealed that the cost of pest control for Parliament during the 2012/13 financial year was estimated to be £73,552. Now in 2017, this cost has ballooned to £130,000 a year! People have been pleading for a cat after mice swarm through offices and cause havoc in the tea room. Luckily, Battersea has picked out two cats who would be perfect for Parliament.

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via telegraph

Battersea's Head of Catteries, Lindsey Quinlan said: "Battersea has been hearing persistent reports of mice scuttling around the Houses of Parliament for several years now […] Battersea has over 130 years in rehoming rescue cats, and was the first choice for Downing Street, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and the Cabinet Office when they sought our mousers to help with their own rogue rodents. We'd be more than happy to help the Houses of Parliament recruit their own chief mousers to eliminate their pest problem and restore order in the historic corridors of power."
Although Whitehall already has five mousers (cats), Parliament has still been left cat less. But, not to fear. Battersea Dogs and Cats home hopes to help. In fact they already have two cats ready for the job;
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Peggy

via telegraph

Battersea says: "Top of this lovely seven-year-old's manifursto is spending time with her public and having a fuss - but like many politicians, she also has an independent streak. She's got a proven track record of bringing back presents for her party so she'd be in her element somewhere with plenty of mice. She isn't interested in the company of other cats as long as there are some humans around to spoil her."
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Simba

via telegraph

Battersea says: "This gorgeous ginger tom is a very chirpy chatty boy, so he'd be perfect as the new Speaker of the House. Simba loves to chase and pounce on his favourite toys. He has plenty of energy and will provide his new home with hours of entertainment, although in the right environment he's also keen to settle down and have a cuddle."
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via telegraph

Anna Turley MP said: "Rather than spend a fortune on pest control why not let nature take its course and have a parliamentary cat or two. It will cheer the place up!"
Parliamentary staff have also been bringing up the issue for months.
Responding to a poster which told them ways to help end the mouse infestation - which included advice such as: "Store all your food, tea, coffee etc in lidded containers", one rebellious staff member wrote: "GET US A CAT".
Well, now its just time to wait and see!