Willow, A 2-Year-Old Tabby Farm Cat From Pennsylvania Is Now A Pet In The White House

WASHINGTON — For the first time in more than a decade, the White House is home to a cat.

Willow is a 2-year-old green-eyed, gray-and-white farm cat from Pennsylvania who caught the attention of first lady Jill Biden on the campaign trail.

“She’ll be settling into the White House with her favorite toys, treats, and plenty of room to smell and explore,” said Michael LaRosa, the first lady’s spokesperson.

After her husband, Joe Biden, was elected in November 2020, Jill Biden stated that they would bring a kitty to the White House, but months passed with no sightings or word on when she would arrive. Finally, the White House announced that the cat would arrive in January.

Willow is named after the first lady’s Pennsylvania hometown of Willow Grove.

Jill Biden was taken aback when the short-haired tabby jumped up on stage and interrupted her remarks during a 2020 campaign stop in Pennsylvania, according to LaRosa.

“Seeing their instant bond, the farm owner knew Willow belonged with Dr. Biden,” he said. The owner gave the cat to the first lady, who kept her away from the White House until the time was right to bring her and her litter box in.

Since India, President George W. Bush’s cat, died at the White House in January 2009, just before the end of his term, the White House has been without a feline resident. Previously, President Bill Clinton kept his cat, Socks, at the White House.

Stacy Cordery, a Dickinson State University history and leadership professor, said that welcoming a pet is always a happy time for any family, and that dog and cat ownership could help boost Bidens’ public appeal at a time of political trouble for the president.

Cordery, who has written books about President Theodore Roosevelt and his family, compared Biden to his immediate predecessor, Donald Trump, who did not have a pet in the White House during his presidency.

“I do believe that part of their goal is to make the White House feel more approachable,”

Cordery said of the Bidens, who used to have cats but haven’t had one since Daisy died.

Willow joins Commander, a German shepherd puppy Joe Biden received as a birthday gift from the president’s brother, James Biden, and his wife, Sara, in December.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, teased that Willow might show up at one of her daily briefings someday.

“She has a permanent invitation.” “It would be purrrfect,”

Psaki wrote on Twitter, adding the hashtag #COTUS, which stands for “Cat of the United States.”

Before Commander, the Bidens had two other German shepherds at the White House: Champ and Major.

However, Major, a 3-year-old rescue dog, began acting aggressively after his arrival in January 2021, including two biting incidents. According to the White House, Major was still adjusting to his new surroundings, so he was sent back to the Bidens’ Delaware home for training.

According to LaRosa, after consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and veterinarians, the Bidens decided to follow the experts’ collective advice and place Major in a quieter environment with family friends.

Champ died in June at age 13.