Cat Mayor in Washington
A 15-year-old tabby cat named Huxley has become a local celebrity and the unofficial mayor of White Salmon, Washington. Adopted from an animal shelter as a kitten, Huxley has spent most of his life roaming the small city’s three-block downtown, making regular stops at coffee shops, bookstores, bars, City Hall, and the police station, where local businesses have set out beds and water for him. Over the years, residents have embraced Huxley as part of the town’s identity, creating postcards, T-shirts, and a coloring book in his honor. His owners began selling “Huxley for Mayor” pins to raise money for a local animal rescue, and the town ultimately appointed him as their feline mayor. As White Salmon has undergone growth and change over the years, residents say Huxley has remained a familiar presence who shows how animals can become an unexpected source of connection for an entire community.
Image via OPB
Read other stories from the 9/21/26 newsletter:
Comments