14 Presidential Pets Who Left Their Mark on U.S. History
Over all the years the White House has served as the presidential residence, its hallowed halls have seen many a paw pass through. (And feathers, and more!) Presidents all the way back to George Washington had animals, and some of our former leaders even brought their furry friends to live in the White House.
From dogs to birds and even a pygmy hippo, here is a quick rundown of some of the most well-known and interesting presidential pets who left their mark on U.S. history!
15 Historical Presidential Pets
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1. Siam, the First Siamese Cat
Perhaps the very first Siamese kitten in the United States actually found her home in the White House. First Lady Lucy Webb Hayes, the wife of Rutherford B. Hayes, was gifted a tiny kitten in 1879, who she named Siam. Her presence actually marked the introduction of the now iconic and much-beloved breed, which is now one of the most popular in the United States.
2. Calvin Coolidge’s Thanksgiving Raccoon
What would you do if you were given a live raccoon that was, apparently, meant to be eaten for dinner? Well, if you are President Calvin Coolidge, you turn your Thanksgiving meal into a pet! Coolidge was a huge animal lover, so it is no surprise that he kept the raccoon, named her Rebecca, and added her to the menagerie of pets he had while in office.
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3. Thomas Jefferson’s Mockingbird
Thomas Jefferson had a special bond with a mockingbird named Dick. Jefferson’s love for this bird was so strong, he allowed him to fly freely in his study, which meant… a bit more clean-up for the poor people who had to tidy up after the bird.
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4. Andrew Jackson’s Parrot
This particular bird is more “foul” for his swearing than the ‘presents’ he’d leave behind. Andrew Jackson had a parrot who was known for their quite-colorful language, which would pop up at the most inappropriate times. In fact, the African Grey had to be removed from Jackson’s funeral due to spicy speech.
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5. Martin Van Buren’s Tiger Cubs
Speaking of unusual gifts, Martin Van Buren’s presidency took a wild twist when he was given two tiger cubs by the Sultan of Oman. Congress was, of course, less than thrilled with the idea of exotic animals roaming the White House grounds, especially when those cubs would grow up into large predators. The cubs eventually found a new home, but they left a lasting impression on Van Buren’s tenure.
6. Theodore Roosevelt’s Zoo
If you know your presidential history then it probably doesn’t surprise you at all that Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt pretty much turned the White House into a zoo. From a hyena and lion to a zebra, snake, and even a one-legged rooster, Roosevelt’s collection was as interesting as the man himself and his passion for wildlife and conservation left a lasting impact on our nation.
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7. Herbert Hoover’s Opossum
Herbert Hoover’s choice of pet was an opossum which, to be honest, we wouldn’t normally associate with presidential status. Named Billy, the possum lived in a pen built earlier for the Coolidge’s Rebecca, and even made his appearance as the mascot of a local high school that had recently lost their own possum.
8. Benjamin Harrison’s Alligators
Benjamin Harrison kept not one but two alligators in the White House conservatory. These toothy residents were joined by a pair of opossums, though we don’t know how well they actually got a long.
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9. Pauline Wayne, Taft’s Presidential Cow
William Howard Taft received one of the more utilitarian gifts when Senator Isaac Stephenson of Wisconsin presented him with Pauline Wayne, a Holstein cow. Pauline supplied fresh milk for the First Family and became a beloved fixture on the White House grounds. She wasn’t the only cow on the lawn, either, with both Harrison and Bush Jr. having cattle of their own.
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10. Woodrow Wilson’s Lawn-Mowing Sheep
To save on lawn maintenance costs during World War I, Woodrow Wilson introduced a flock of sheep to graze on the White House lawns. Among them was Old Ike, a tobacco-chewing ram who quickly became a favorite among visitors.
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11. Macaroni, Kennedy’s Pony
Macaroni, the pony belonging to Caroline Kennedy, captured the public’s heart during John F. Kennedy’s presidency. Gifted by Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Macaroni roamed freely on the White House grounds, becoming a beloved symbol of the Camelot era.
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12. Benjamin Harrison’s Runaway Goat
Harrison’s grandchildren enjoyed rides courtesy of a goat named His Whiskers. One day, His Whiskers made a daring escape, darting through the White House gates and pulling the children along. President Harrison’s comedic chase down Pennsylvania Avenue became an iconic moment in presidential pet history.
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13. John Adams’ First Dogs
In 1800, John Adams welcomed the first dogs to the White House—Juno and Satan (yep… that was his name). These mixed-breed pups accompanied the Adams family as they moved into the newly constructed residence, laying the foundation for the tradition of presidential pets.
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14. George Washington’s Beloved Nelson
Although George Washington never lived in the White House itself (it being completed after his term as president), he is credited with having the first presidential pet. Washington’s favorite animal was his horse, Nelson, who he rode during the pivotal moment of Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown, cementing Nelson’s place in history.
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