Resident feline Betty has officially been named as Sutton Coldfield station’s Junior Mouse Catcher.
Betty, who lives at Folklore Coffee and Bagels on platform 2, is now the second cat to be employed by West Midlands Railway (WMR), and was appointed following her identification by station management for her services both in and around the premises.
Previously adopted by Folklore Coffee owner Alex Light in 2025, Betty once lived near an apartment block in Sutton Coldfield town centre with three kittens. Alex secured homes for all three kittens, but made the decision to adopt Betty himself.
Betty follows in the paw-prints of WMR co-worker George, an orange tabby who lives and works at Stourbridge Junction station and has held the position of ‘Senior Mouse Catcher’ since 2021. Since his appointment, George has gained over 100,000 followers on social media, and has received a Stourbridge Shuttle train named in his honour.
Alex Light, owner of Folklore Coffee and Bagels, said:They say cats always land on their feet – and Betty certainly has with this role. She is really popular with customers and has her own Instagram account and it’s brilliant to see her hard work recognised by WMR.
One of the goals of International Cat Day is to reduce the number of homeless cats and encourage adoption, and Betty’s story really resonates with that mission.
Folklore Coffee is independently run and offers freshly baked Montreal style bagels, sweet treats and artisan coffee every day, and Betty’s appointment coincided with International Cat Day, which was celebrated this Saturday 8 August.
