Browser (cat)

Browser
Browser in August 2023
SpeciesFelis catus
SexMale
Notable roleLibrary cat at White Settlement Public Library
Known forCity 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 his council re-election bid in 2016, and died on January 1, 2022.[13]

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 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.
  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. ^ 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.
  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. ^ grizzlydetail (June 24, 2016). "Council votes to remove cat from library". The Detail Newspaper. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  7. ^ Eadie, Mark (July 2, 2016). "Browser the cat's eviction notice". The Herald (Glasgow). ProQuest 1812902393.
  8. ^ Puglise, Nicole (July 4, 2016). "Browser the library cat escapes eviction amid international outcry". The Guardian. 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.
  10. ^ "FortWorth, & Bud. (2016, December 11). Lame-duck councilman takes yet another swipe at Browser the library cat". Merced Sun-Star.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Library cat outlasts councilman that wanted him gone - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. December 16, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  13. ^ "Obituary for Elzie Clements at Greenwood at Greenwood Memorial Park".
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