Tibs the Great
Tibs the Great (November 1950 – December 1964) was the British Post Office’s “number one cat” and kept the post office headquarters in London completely mouse-free during his 14 years of service. He was the son of Minnie, and on his death, several newspapers ran an obituary.
Background Cats had been officially employed by the Post Office to catch rodents since September 1868, when three cats were taken on for a six-month trial period at a rate of one shilling per week, in the London Money Order Office. On 7 May 1869, it was noted that “the cats have done their duty very efficiently”. By 1873, the cats were being paid 1s 6d, and cats were being employed in other post offices. Early life It is thought that Tibs was born in Lon… Continue Reading (3 minute read)
A [transcript](http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1953/mar/18/cats-maintenance-allowances#S5CV0513P0_19530318_HOC_33) of the conversation:
> Captain Orr asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when the allowance payable for the maintenance of cats in his Department was last raised; what is the total amount involved; what is the present rate per cat in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with the rate in London.
> Mr. Gammans: There is, I am afraid, a certain amount of industrial chaos in the Post Office cat world. Allowances vary in different places, possibly according to the alleged efficiency of the animals and other factors. It has proved impossible to organise any scheme for 5payment by results or output bonus. These servants of the State are, however, frequently unreliable, capricious in their duties and liable to prolonged absenteeism.
My hon. and gallant Friend has been misinformed regarding the differences between rates for cats in Northern Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom. There are no Post Office cats in Northern Ireland. Except for the cats at Post Office Headquarters who got the special allowance a few years ago, presumably for prestige reasons, there has been a general wage freeze since July, 1918, but there have been no complaints!
> Captain Orr: How does my hon. Friend account for the fact that no allowances are payable for cats in Northern Ireland? Is it because the post offices there are more sanitary, and will he say what happens if a cat has kittens? Is there a family allowance payment?
> Mr. Gammans: There are no cats in Northern Ireland, I presume, because there are no mice in post office buildings. With regard to the children’s allowances, I am afraid there is none. But the head postmasters have full discretion to give a maternity grant.
> Mr. Rankin: Can the Minister tell us whether his Department provide an adequate maternity service.
> Mr. Gammans: Very adequate.
Miss Ward Can my hon. Friend say whether this is one of the occasions on which equal pay prevails?
> Mr. Gammans: Equal pay has been accepted both in principle and in practice.
>Captain Orr: In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise this matter again.
>It is thought that Tibs was born in London in November 1950.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibs_the_Great#cite_note-theguardian1-3) His father is unknown. His mother was Minnie, another “fine cat”.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibs_the_Great#cite_note-royalmail-4)
We need more articles like this.
Edit, also:
>Except for the cats at Post Office Headquarters who got the special allowance a few years ago, presumably for prestige reasons, there has been a general wage freeze since July, 1918, but there have been no complaints!
Well, from the looks of it…
I don’t doubt for one minute that Tibs feasted upon an entire colony of tasty mice!
This is great, I love you guys.
Downing Street currently has [Larry, the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Mouser_to_the_Cabinet_Office).
In the end, he was 23 lbs before passing away (RIP). ABSOLUTE U N I T.
Video on the Chief Mouser
https://youtu.be/oXkY8rBiPPo
I actually named my cat Tibs, the great pain the the butt, after this post office cat.
“Public outrage” for a cats salary seems like people had too much time on their hands in the 50s
How much was he paid before?
Oh lawd he’s comin, chonky boy
This is the content I come here for!
Yes ladies and gentlemen – I present the government’s important business in all of it’s glory!
An upstanding citizen, His work etiquette should be admired by all