Socks the Cat

Although he was not the first cat to stroll the White House corridors, Socks created a distinct and indelible mark on the hearts of the American people like no presidential pet had done before. He first became a member of the Clinton family after Chelsea’s piano teacher discovered two kittens under her porch. The Clintons adopted the tuxedo cat, and later named him Socks due to his white paws. Socks' brother was later taken in by a local Arkansas family. 

Dubbed the “First Cat-elect” after the 1992 presidential election, life at the White House for Socks was one of relative comfort. He loved prowling the White House lawns, something that the press used to their advantage. They would often coax Socks for a picture by plying him with catnip, with one cameraman going so far as to grab the cat to pose for a picture. This prompted the Clintons to issue a swift directive, instructing, “Special note to all press from the highest authority: don’t touch the cat again.”

Whether he was lounging under a pin oak tree or snuggling up on his favorite chair in the receiving room outside of the Oval Office, Socks was beloved by nearly all who encountered him.

 As his popularity continued to grow, the American public began to send hundreds of letters, cards, and photographs a month inquiring about their “First Cat.”  In order to read and respond to all of Socks’s mail, the President and First Lady turned to volunteers from the U.S. Soldiers and Airmen’s Home, which housed 1800 retired veterans, and served as the White House Auxiliary Mail Room.  Volunteers would answer the mail by sending a postcard or lithograph featuring Socks and signed with his paw print.  Correspondents were so thrilled to receive a reply that they would share their stories with the media and articles would be published about their experience.