President Biden and first lady Jill Biden on Friday welcomed their new pets” target=”_blank”>cat< on Friday.
“The Bidens are excited to welcome their new cat, Willow, to the White House!” the first lady’s press secretary, Michael LaRosa, said Friday.
Willow, the Biden family’s new pet cat, wanders around the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)
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Willow, who the first lady named after her hometown, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, is 2 years old and has gray and white stripes. LaRosa said the cat is a “short-haired Tabby.”
Willow, the Biden family’s new pet cat, explores the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)
“A farm cat from Pennsylvania, Willow made quite an impression on Dr. Biden in 2020 when she jumped up on the stage and interrupted her remarks during a campaign stop,” LaRosa said. “Seeing their immediate bond, the owner of the farm knew that Willow belonged with Dr. Biden.”
Willow, the Biden family’s new pet cat, relaxes hear a cat toy in the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)
LaRosa added that Willow is “settling into the White House with her favorite toys, treats, and plenty of room to smell and explore.”
Willow, the Biden family’s new pet cat, takes a nap in the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)
The news of Willow joining the first family at the White House comes just a month after the president and first lady welcomed their German shepherd puppy, Commander. At the time, the White House previewed that a cat would arrive in January.
The Bidens received Commander in December as a birthday gift from the president’s brother James Biden and sister-in-law Sara Biden, according to Jill Biden’s office.
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Upon Commander’s arrival, the White House announced that the Bidens’ other German shepherd, Major, would be re-homed with family friends. The Bidens made the decision to move Major after consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists and veterinarians, who said the dog would benefit from a quieter environment.
Willow, the Biden family’s new pet cat, in the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)
Major had been a source of controversy for the White House after he was involved in several biting incidents since Biden took office, including a string of eight days in a row in which Major bit a Secret Service agent. At least one White House visitor was also bitten by Major in March, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki saying the dog “was surprised by an unfamiliar person and reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual.”
President Biden walks his dog Commander on the beach in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Dec. 28, 2021.
(SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
But the White House said Major departing was not due to a new or specific incident, saying the decision was made after months of deliberation.
The Bidens’ dog Major on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2021. (MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, when asked about the arrival of a potential White House cat, Psaki joked she would make the announcement before a bad news day.
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“I’ve been joking, although maybe it might be true, that we’re waiting for a bad news day for that to come out,” Psaki said of the possibility of a White House cat earlier this year. “If you see a tail wagging coming out of the briefing room, you’ll know something bad is about to happen.”
Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski, Jacqui Heinrich and Michael Lee contributed to this report.
