Meet Mike, a cat who guarded the gates of the British Museum. He spent 20 years on the job, gaining notoriety for his disliking of females and dogs, and only allowing certain people to feed him. Even after retiring he occasionally chased off dogs, who reportedly “fled in terror” when he attacked.

Mike (cat)

Mike (c.1908 – January 1929) was a cat who guarded the gates of the British Museum whose fame was such that Time magazine devoted two articles to him on his death. E. A. Wallis Budge’s work describing the life of Mike has been viewed as the zenith of such biographical writing.

Early life

In the spring of 1908 “Black Jack”, the house cat of the Museum, walked up to the Keeper of Egyptian antiquities E. A. Wallis Budge with a large object in his mouth which he then deposited at the Keeper’s feet. The object was a kitten, later known as Mike. The following year Mike began to study under Black Jack who taught the younger cat to stalk pigeons by pointing like a dog. Under Black Jack’s guidance Mike would proceed to corner the pigeons, da… Continue Reading (3 minute read)