| Browser | |
| Species: | Felis catus |
| Gender: | Male |
| Role: | Library cat at White Settlement Public Library in Texas, United States |
| Known: | City Council eviction attempts |
| 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.
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.[1]
On June 14, 2016, White Settlement City Council voted by a majority of two to one votes[2] to remove Browser from the library. The removal motion was made by councillor Elzie Clements,[3] 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.[4] [5] [6] 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.[7]
In response to the eviction decision, a petition to permit Browser to remain in the library attracted over 12,000 signatures worldwide,[8] 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".[9]
Browser was featured in the library's yearly calendar as a fundraiser, effectively bringing in more money than he cost.[10]
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.[11] This would be the last meeting attended by Councilman Clements as an elected official.[12] Clements was defeated in a landslide during his council re-election bid in 2016, and died on January 1, 2022.[13]