It’s official: Sutton Coldfield station has a new junior mouse catcher.
Betty, a former stray who now lives at Sutton Coldfield station, has been appointed to the role by West Midlands Railway.
She lives at Folklore Coffee and Bagels on Platform 2 and is now only the second feline employee on the company’s books.
Betty was found in 2025 near an apartment block in the town centre with three kittens. Alex Light, owner of the cafe, found homes for the kittens and adopted Betty.
He said she had settled into 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.”
West Midlands Railway said the promotion means Betty will continue her safety patrols and mouse-catching duties.
She follows George, who lives and works at Stourbridge Junction station and has been senior mouse catcher since 2021.
George was adopted by staff after his owner emigrated to Spain. The orange tabby has since gained more than 100,000 followers on social media, his own marker on Google Maps and his own merchandise.
A Stourbridge Shuttle train was 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, organised by the charity International Cat Care, which took place on Saturday.
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