Browser (cat)
 Browser in August 2023 | |
| Species | Felis catus |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Notable role | Library cat at White Settlement Public Library in Texas, United States |
| Known for | City Council eviction attempts |
Browser is an American library cat that lives 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 that resulted in a re-vote, and a unanimous decision permitting him to stay.
Eviction attempt
[edit]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 popular mascot of the library among patrons, even 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 claimed, “City Hall and City businesses are no place for animals”, and council member Paul Moore, who was primarily concerned about triggering people with allergies to cats.[4][5][6] 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 City Hall.[7]
Later developments
[edit]In response to the eviction decision, a petition to permit Browser to remain in the library attracted over 12,000 signatures worldwide,[8] 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]
Browser was subsequently dubbed by the mayor as "Library Cat for Life".[9]
Browser was featured in the library's yearly calendar as a fundraiser, effectively bringing in more money than he cost.[10]
On December 13, 2016, Clements again tried to bring the council to vote to remove Browser, claiming “I’m a council member and I can put anything I want on the consent agenda”, but the motion did not pass.[11] This would be the last meeting attended by Councilman Clements as an elected official.[12] Clements was defeated in a landslide during his council re-election bid in 2016, and died on January 1, 2022.[13]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Harris, Ricki (June 28, 2016). "Beloved Cat Fired from His Job at a Local Public Library". ABC News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Harris, Ricki (July 5, 2016). "Beloved Cat Will Keep His Job at the Local Library After International Backlash". ABC News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ Buncombe, Andrew (July 1, 2016). "Cat fired by library has 30 days to find somewhere else to live". The Independent. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ Ford, Anne (2017). "Library Cats Leave Some Sneezing, Others Feline Fine". American Libraries. 48 (1–2): 18–21. JSTOR 26380825.
- ^ grizzlydetail (June 24, 2016). "Council votes to remove cat from library". The Detail Newspaper. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Eadie, Mark (July 2, 2016). "Browser the cat's eviction notice". The Herald (Glasgow). ProQuest 1812902393.
- ^ Puglise, Nicole (July 4, 2016). "Browser the library cat escapes eviction amid international outcry". The Guardian. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ Cardona, Claire Z. (December 13, 2016). "Browser will be White Settlement library cat for life, mayor says". Dallas News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "FortWorth, & Bud. (2016, December 11). Lame-duck councilman takes yet another swipe at Browser the library cat". Merced Sun-Star.
- ^ Free, Cathy (December 20, 2016). "Browser the 'Library Cat' Keeps Job for Life, After the Councilman Who Wanted Him Evicted Loses Relection [sic]". People Magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Library cat outlasts councilman that wanted him gone - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. December 16, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "Obituary for Elzie Clements at Greenwood at Greenwood Memorial Park".