HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — He is unapologetically lazy, sleeping through most of the three-hour drive from his home district, only to sleep again, in his office at the state capitol, through key votes.
More precisely, the office actually belongs (at least, according to the sign on the door) not to 10-year-old Ravi — a 7-pound, purebred Devon Rex deemed too scrawny as a kitten to compete as a show cat — but to his person, State Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny County).
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But a visitor, seeing the collection of cat-sized bowties, a cat-sized decorative fireplace and even a cat-sized podium with a presidential seal and microphone, could be forgiven for believing otherwise.
A number of legislators bring dogs to work from time to time. Ravi is the only capitol cat.
“I think if folks were to comment on the most unique or interesting things about me, bringing a cat to the capitol would probably rate pretty far up there for sure,” Benham said, which is saying a lot for someone who, in November 2020, became the first openly LGBTQ woman and the first known person diagnosed with autism elected to Pennsylvania’s House.
Ravi’s time at the capitol began out of necessity. Benham took office during the COVID-19 pandemic and struggled to find reliable cat care. It was supposed to be temporary, but Benham noticed something: Ravi, on a leash (yes), would walk confidently into the building in the morning.
At the end of the day, she would have to carry out her disappointed cat.
“He’s definitely sadder the weeks that we are not in Harrisburg,” Benham said. “And so there’s an element in which coming to the capitol is therapeutic for him.”
But not only for him.
“He has been there for me through a lot of heartache,” Benham said.
And not only for her, either, among humans.
“There have absolutely been times where a shared love of animals has brought people together,” Benham said. “It doesn’t resolve every single difference, but it can make some conversations — especially tough ones — a little easier.”
After five years of this, it’s tough to say who is whose sidekick. Benham and Ravi always stay at the same area hotel when the House is in session.
“The folks at the front desk say, ‘Hi Ravi.’ What about me? I’m just cat transportation,” Benham said, laughing. “I have accepted this.”
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It’s impossible to know for sure whether Ravi shares Benham’s views on many of the causes she champions, like a bill she’s sponsoring that would stop stores from making discounts available only via digital coupons.
But Benham said — and Ravi didn’t deny — his views on certain issues are clear.
“Any of the legislation on animal issues, he has strong opinions on for sure,” she said.
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