Sutton Coldfield station cat lands paw-fect new role with West Midlands Railway

A popular Birmingham railway station cat has been officially appointed to the role of Junior Mouse Catcher – becoming the second moggy ‘employed’ by West Midlands Railway (WMR).

Betty, who lives at Folklore Coffee and Bagels on platform 2 at Sutton Coldfield station, was identified by WMR as a rising star in station management for her regular safety paw-trols, comprehensive whisker-sessments, and dedication to cat litter picks. Her appointment comes ahead of this weekend’s International Cat Day (August 8).

Betty was adopted by Folklore Coffee owner Alex Light in 2025 when she was a stray with three kittens living near an apartment block in Sutton Coldfield town centre. Alex secured loving homes for all three kittens but decided to adopt Betty himself and the previously feral cat has since settled into domesticated life at the café.

Betty follows in the paw-prints of WMR favourite George, an orange tabby who lives and works at Stourbridge Junction station and has held the position of ‘Senior Mouse Catcher’ since 2021. George, who is owned by a WMR staff member, 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 WMR, 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.”

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.

International Cat Day is organised by International Cat Care, a charity which supports vets and rescues to enhance cat welfare.

To find out more about Folklore Coffee, visit their website: Folklore Coffee & Bagels.