Paw-motion? Train station cat hired to be Junior Mouse Catcher

By Lauren Wilkin

A cat that lives in a train station has been officially appointed to the role of Junior Mouse Catcher — becoming the second moggy 'employed' by West Midlands Railway (WMR).

Betty the cat, who lives at Folklore Coffee and Bagels on platform 2 at Sutton Coldfield station, was identified by WMR as a rising star in station management for her regular safety paw-trols, comprehensive whisker-sessments and dedication to cat litter picks.

Her appointment comes ahead of this weekend's International Cat Day (Aug. 8).

Betty was adopted by Folklore Coffee owner Alex Light in 2025 when she was a stray with three kittens living near an apartment block in Sutton Coldfield town center.

Alex said secured loving homes for all three kittens but decided to adopt Betty himself and the previously feral cat has since settled into domesticated life at the cafe.

Alex said: "Betty lives full time at the shop — she has a few favorite spots dotted around with a perching shelf by the till and a few comfy beds alongside the customer seating as well as a little quiet space away from everyone only accessible by cat flap.

"Her work day mirrors that of the coffee shop with an early start and an early finish.

"She wakes up at 5:30 a.m. — has a quick breakfast before going on her first patrol around the station and then usually returns to the shop around 7:30 a.m. to greet the commuters.

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"After that, her days are weather depending — but she is always back in time for lunch when the shop closes.

"In the evenings — while we do prep for the next day, she usually has a final patrol up and down the platform before having dinner and getting an early night."

Betty follows WMR favorite George, an orange tabby who lives and works at Stourbridge Junction station and has held the position of 'Senior Mouse Catcher' since 2021.

George, who is owned by a WMR staff member, has more than 100,000 followers on social media and had a Stourbridge Shuttle train named after him last year.

Zoe Hodgins, regional station manager at WMR, said: "We are very excited to have Betty on board. She's proven she has a fantastic cat-titude and takes her daily duties — greeting customers, napping and warding off mice — very seriously."

Alex said: "They say cats always land on their feet — and Betty certainly has with this role.

"She is really popular with customers and has her own Instagram account and it's brilliant to see her hard work recognized by WMR.

"One of the goals of International Cat Day is to reduce the number of homeless cats and encourage adoption, and Betty's story really resonates with that mission."

International Cat Day is organized by International Cat Care, a charity which supports vets and rescues to enhance cat welfare.