Billy the cat, owned by Annette Brooke MP, has today won the election to be Purr Minister 2015. The accolade, organised and awarded by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, seeks to raise awareness of rescue centres and encourage people looking for pets to consider rehoming.
Billy’s campaign, which led him to receive 23% of the vote, focused on issues like edu-CAT-tion, equality and rights, and safe and warm homes. ‘A rescue cat with a mission’ striving to ‘make life purr-fect’, Billy clearly won the hearts and minds of voters with his poignant story and progressive paw-licies.
When asked about Billy’s election victory, Annette said: “I’m really thrilled that Billy has won, as I’m sure he will be, and he will be getting lots of extra treats. It has been a pleasure to be involved in this opportunity to promote rescue centres such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, who do such good work. We acquired Billy from a rescue centre in Dorset last July, and were so impressed with them. My family stay in touch, letting them know how Billy is getting on, and I would really encourage anyone looking for a new pet to rehome from a rescue.”
Billy now joins a list of previous premiers that include the infamous Larry from Number 10, as well as last year’s winner, Kevin, owned by Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson.
Lindsey Quinlan, Battersea’s Head of Cattery, added: “We’re sure Billy will enjoy being the feline face of politics with his new title of Purr Minister. It was a tight race but we’re really pleased to present this coveted Battersea award to him. We know the British public love their cats and this just shows that our politicians do too.”
