Popular station cat Betty gets paw-fect new role

A popular railway station cat has clawed her way into a prestigious new position with West Midlands Railway.

Betty, a former stray who now calls Sutton Coldfield station home, has been officially appointed as the company's junior mouse catcher.

The promotion means she will continue carrying out her important safety paw-trols and thorough whisker-sessments.

Betty lives at Folklore Coffee and Bagels on Platform 2 and has become only the second feline employee on the books.

She was found in 2025 living near an apartment block in the town centre with three kittens.

Alex Light, owner of the cafe, secured homes for the kittens but decided to adopt Betty himself.

He said she has settled into domesticated life at the independently-run café.

"They say cats always land on their feet and Betty certainly has with this role," Light said.

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

Betty follows in the paw-prints of George, who lives and works at Stourbridge Junction station.

He has held the position of senior mouse catcher since 2021, when his owner emigrated to Spain and was adopted by staff.

The orange tabby has become so popular he has his own marker on Google Maps and even his own merchandise.

He 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 West Midlands Railway, 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."

Betty's appointment came ahead of International Cat Day, which is organised by the charity International Cat Care, and took place on Saturday.

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