Beloved Cat Kicked Out Of Library He Calls Home

Browser, a cat whose only "crime" is being the mascot of his local public library, has found himself caught in the middle of a legal battle. After all, he's received a very sudden eviction notice from the city council of White Settlement, Texas.

Browser has lived at the library for six years. He arrived to help with the library's rodent problem, but quickly settled in and became more than just a hard worker - he is also a beloved family member of the White Settlement Public Library and community at large.

But recently, a city employee got upset when they weren't allowed to bring their puppy to work - and then decided to take out that frustration on Browser, by pointing out the fact that Bowser was allowed to live at the library without repercussion, to the city council. And so, on June 14, it was voted that Bowser had 30 days to be removed from his home.

Ironically, it was the city council that first voted to provide the library with a cat to assist with the rodent issue.

Councilmen Paul Moore and Elzie Clements - who voted to remove Browser from his home in the 2-1 vote - cited allergy complaints as the reason behind their vote, local news outlet CBS 11 reported.

Mayor Ronald White, a Browser supporter, believes otherwise. "That cat doesn't have anything to do with whether somebody can have their puppy at City Hall," he told the Star Telegram. "The council just went out and did this on their own because they don't like cats."

At the June 14 meeting, the Grizzly Detail, a local newspaper, reported that the council chambers were filled with people there to "voice their support" for Browser. More than 600 people also signed a petition in favor of keeping the cat, which noted that he was useful not only for rodent control, but also for making children want to come to the library. Yet in the end, Browser still lost the highly politicized fight.

"I don't have any animals," Lillian Blackburn, president of the Friends of the White Settlement Public Library, told the Star Telegram. "But this cat is so gentle and so lovable and he brings so much comfort to so many people, it seems like a shame to take him away."

Browser's only hope of remaining at the library now lies in another council meeting on July 12, where the mayor hopes the council will reconsider its decision - just two days before Browser potentially loses his home forever.

And should Browser be evicted for good, well - hell hath no fury like cat lovers rushing to the polls on election day in November.

If you'd like to voice your support in favor of keeping Browser at the library, you can contact White Settlement council members here.

Watch this video about Smurf, a kitten who was dyed, and his good friend: