Pets in the White House

President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden have two dogs. The dogs live in the White House. Many presidents had pets!

Socks was a black and white cat. He did not have a home. Chelsea Clinton found him. Chelsea’s dad became the President. Socks moved into the White House. He went on visits to children’s hospitals. He liked to sit on President Clinton’s shoulder.

Photo Credit: National Archives and Records Administration [6036916]

President George H.W. Bush had a dog. Her name was Millie. Millie had puppies. One of the puppies was named Spotty. Later, Bush’s son George W. Bush became President. Spotty moved into the White House with the second President Bush!

Photo Credit: National Archives and Records Administration [186390]

Some
Presidents had interesting pets! President Theodore Roosevelt had many pets.
The family had snakes, dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and more. Roosevelt’s
son had a pet badger.

Calvin
Coolidge had a pet raccoon. The raccoon’s name was Rebecca. President and Mrs.
Coolidge walked the raccoon on a leash.

What Do You Think? Why do you think White House pets are so famous? What pet would you like to see in the White House?

Photo Credit: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.