Capitol cat · Pennsylvania
Ravi is a Devon Rex who goes to work at the Pennsylvania State Capitol with Rep. Jessica Benham. He spends his days greeting visitors, wandering the halls to find friends, napping through the business of state government, and keeping watch from his own corner of Benham’s office. To his mom, he’s still her little baby. At the Capitol, he’s become something closer to a colleague.
A working-day companion at the State Capitol — his story, office life, and interview with Rep. Jessica Benham.
Ravi is born. He was a very sick kitten, and Benham hand-fed him through his early months.
Benham begins serving in the Pennsylvania House, and Ravi eventually becomes a familiar presence at the Capitol.
Ravi appears in City & State Pennsylvania, where Benham describes greeting office visitors and holding press conferences at his podium among his favorite activities.
Ravi celebrates his tenth birthday at the Capitol.
Ravi gets some wider attention beyond Pennsylvania politics. Local and national coverage picks up on his elaborate Capitol setup and daily office life.
Most days, Ravi goes to work with his mom.
“These days, you’re more likely to find him in one of two places. He has a favorite spot in a window where you can see the entire office… On days where he’s feeling particularly in need of human affection, he will actually make his way out into that little kind of entryway of the office… It’s focused on when humans will come and pay attention to me.”
— Rep. Jessica Benham, in our interview: Ravi the Pennsylvania Capitol Cat
Every good Capitol cat needs an office. Ravi’s comes with a couch, books, fan art, and a corner of his own.
Inside Room 219, Ravi has carved out a small habitat of his own — soft landing spots, familiar toys, and enough vantage points to monitor hallway traffic like a tiny chief of staff.
See more from his corner on Instagram and follow @ravibenham.
Ravi has lent his considerable influence to one issue in particular: ending unnecessary cat declawing.
A few chapters from Ravi’s life beyond Room 219.
Yes. Ravi regularly accompanies Rep. Jessica Benham to her office at the State Capitol in Harrisburg.
Ravi is a Devon Rex.
Ravi turned 10 in April 2026.
No. Unlike Britain’s Larry the Cat, Ravi doesn’t hold an official title. He’s simply a very regular presence in Benham’s office.
Not technically. But he does have Ravi’s Corner inside Benham’s office, complete with his own furniture, decorations, and plenty of places to nap.
During COVID, Benham brought Ravi to the office when she needed care for him. What started as a practical arrangement stuck — he greets visitors, comforts stressed staff, and, as she put it, loves coming to work at the Capitol.
Yes. “There’s a dog at the Capitol. But he’s the only cat at the Capitol,” Benham told us. Colleagues bring dogs more often; it takes a special cat to be comfortable in a chaotic workplace that isn’t home.
More animal personalities, working animals, and very good reasons to keep checking in.
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