Browser (cat)

Browser is an American library cat that is kept in White Settlement Public Library, near Fort Worth, Texas, United States. He is a grey tabby cat.[1] In July 2016, Browser was evicted from the library by the local municipality, provoking an international backlash, a re-vote, and a unanimous decision to permit him to stay.

Browser
SpeciesFelis catus
SexMale
Notable roleLibrary cat at White Settlement Public Library
Known forCity Council eviction attempts

Library mousing

Browser was adopted by White Settlement Public Library from a local animal shelter in October 2010.[1] Originally he was obtained to control rodents, but later became a mascot of the library, featuring in the library's fundraising calendar.[1]

On June 14, 2016, White Settlement City Council voted by a majority of two to one votes,[2] to remove Browser from the library.[1] The removal motion was made by councillor Elzie Clements,[3] who was concerned about triggering people with allergies to cats.[4][5] White Settlement mayor Ron White claimed that the motion to remove Browser was a response to a council worker not being permitted to bring his puppy to the City Hall.[6]

In response to the eviction decision, a petition to permit Browser to remain in the library attracted over 12,000 signatures[7] and mayor White received over 1,500 emails advocating for Browser to be permitted to remain in the library.[3] On July 1, 2016, White Settlement City Council unanimously voted to reverse its earlier eviction decision.[3] In December 13, 2016, Clements again tried to bring council to vote to remove Browser, but the motion did not pass.[8]

Browser is subsequently identified by the mayor as "Library Cat for Life".[9] Clements was defeated in his council re-election bid in 2016 and died on January 1, 2022.[10]

See also

References
  1. Harris, Ricki (June 28, 2016). "Beloved Cat Fired from His Job at a Local Public Library". ABC News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  2. Larimer, Sarah (July 2, 2016). "If a cat librarian isn't safe from the government, then who is?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  3. Harris, Ricki (July 5, 2016). "Beloved Cat Will Keep His Job at the Local Library After International Backlash". ABC News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  4. Buncombe, Andrew (July 1, 2016). "Cat fired by library has 30 days to find somewhere else to live". The Independent. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  5. Ford, Anne (2017). "Library Cats Leave Some Sneezing, Others Feline Fine". American Libraries. 48 (1–2): 18–21. JSTOR 26380825.
  6. Eadie, Mark (July 2, 2016). "Browser the cat's eviction notice". The Herald (Glasgow). ProQuest 1812902393.
  7. Puglise, Nicole (July 4, 2016). "Browser the library cat escapes eviction amid international outcry". The Guardian. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  8. Free, Cathy (December 20, 2016). "Browser the 'Library Cat' Keeps Job for Life, After the Councilman Who Wanted Him Evicted Loses Relection". People Magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  9. Cardona, Claire Z. (December 13, 2016). "Browser will be White Settlement library cat for life, mayor says". Dallas News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
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