Browser (cat)
{{Short description|Library cat in White Settlement, Texas, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox animal
| name = Browser
| species = Felis catus
| gender = Male
| role = Library cat at White Settlement Public Library in Texas, United States
| known = City Council eviction attempts
| image = File:Browser White Settlement Library cat.jpg
| image caption = Browser in August 2023
}}
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. 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
Browser was adopted by White Settlement Public Library from a local animal shelter in October 2010. 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.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Ricki |date=28 June 2016 |title=Beloved Cat Fired from His Job at a Local Public Library |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/beloved-cat-fired-job-local-public-library/story?id=40200707 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=ABC News |language=en}}
On June 14, 2016, White Settlement City Council voted by a majority of two to one votes{{Cite news |last=Larimer |first=Sarah |date=2 July 2016 |title=If a cat librarian isn't safe from the government, then who is? |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/06/29/if-a-cat-librarian-isnt-safe-from-the-government-then-who-is/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |issn=0190-8286}} to remove Browser from the library. The removal motion was made by councillor Elzie Clements,{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Ricki |date=5 July 2016 |title=Beloved Cat Will Keep His Job at the Local Library After International Backlash |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/beloved-cat-job-local-library-international-backlash/story?id=40351635 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=ABC News |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |date=2016-07-01 |title=Cat fired by library has 30 days to find somewhere else to live |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cat-fired-by-texas-library-has-30-days-to-find-new-home-a7114116.html |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{cite journal |last1=Ford |first1=Anne |date=2017 |title=Library Cats Leave Some Sneezing, Others Feline Fine |journal=American Libraries |volume=48 |issue=1–2 |pages=18–21 |jstor=26380825}}{{Cite web |last=grizzlydetail |date=2016-06-24 |title=Council votes to remove cat from library |url=https://grizzlydetail.wordpress.com/2016/06/24/council-votes-to-remove-cat-from-library/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The Detail Newspaper |language=en}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Eadie |first1=Mark |date=2 July 2016 |title=Browser the cat's eviction notice |newspaper=The Herald (Glasgow) |location= |id={{ProQuest|1812902393}}}}
Later developments
In response to the eviction decision, a petition to permit Browser to remain in the library attracted over 12,000 signatures worldwide,{{Cite web |last=Puglise |first=Nicole |date=2016-07-04 |title=Browser the library cat escapes eviction amid international outcry |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/04/library-cat-browser-texas |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} and Mayor White received over 1,500 emails advocating for Browser to be permitted to remain in the library. On July 1, 2016, White Settlement City Council unanimously voted to reverse its earlier eviction decision.
Browser was subsequently dubbed by the mayor as "Library Cat for Life".{{Cite web |last=Cardona |first=Claire Z. |date=2016-12-13 |title=Browser will be White Settlement library cat for life, mayor says |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2016/12/13/browser-will-be-white-settlement-library-cat-for-life-mayor-says/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}
Browser was featured in the library's yearly calendar as a fundraiser, effectively bringing in more money than he cost.{{Cite web |title=FortWorth, & Bud. (2016, December 11). Lame-duck councilman takes yet another swipe at Browser the library cat. |publisher=Merced Sun-Star |url=https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/nation-world/national/article120302793.html}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Free |first=Cathy |date=20 Dec 2016 |title=Browser the 'Library Cat' Keeps Job for Life, After the Councilman Who Wanted Him Evicted Loses Relection [sic] |url=https://people.com/pets/browser-the-library-cat-keeps-job-for-life-after-the-councilman-who-wanted-him-evicted-loses-relection/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=People Magazine |language=en}} This would be the last meeting attended by Councilman Clements as an elected official.{{Cite web |date=2016-12-16 |title=Library cat outlasts councilman that wanted him gone - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/library-cat-outlasts-councilman-that-wanted-him-gone/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Clements had been defeated decisively during his council re-election bid in November 2016, and died on January 1, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/content/dam/main/elections/2016/1116/cumulative.pdf|title=Cumulative Report — Official Tarrant County — Joint General and Special Elections — November 08, 2016}}{{cite web | url=https://www.greenwoodfuneralhomes.com/obituary/elzie-clements | title=Obituary for Elzie Clements at Greenwood at Greenwood Memorial Park }}
See also
{{portal|Cats}}
References
{{reflist|22em}}
External links
- [https://www.wstx.us/181/Library White Settlement Public Library]
{{authority control}}