Amid international pressure, city council votes to keep Browser the cat in North Texas library

Browser, the resident mouser at the White Settlement Public Library, will remain as the library's top mouser after the White Settlement City Council voted 3-0 Friday, July 1, 2016 to keep him there.

The City Council voted 2-1 vote on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 to have him removed citing issues of allergies with some patrons.

Photos via White Settlement Library Instagram account less Browser, the resident mouser at the White Settlement Public Library, will remain as the library's top mouser after the White Settlement City Council voted 3-0 Friday, July 1, 2016 to keep him there.

The City ... more Photo: White Settlement Library Photo: White Settlement Library Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Amid international pressure, city council votes to keep Browser the cat in North Texas library 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

The residents of a small North Texas town packed into city hall Friday to hear the fate of a beloved feline that's caught international attention.

The White Settlement City Council unanimously voted 3-0 to keep Browser the cat inside the White Settlement Library after being inundated with emails and media attention from across the globe.

RELATED: Cat fired from Texas library gains international attention

Mayor Ron White said he received approximately 1,800 emails by Friday before the meeting from all over the world including Germany, France, Malaysia and Canada.

"Many of the folks who came to the meeting were upset and wanted to speak, but didn't get a chance," White said. "The council members were adamant about speaking and getting the vote in. There was a motion and then a second one before anyone could speak."

Browser put White Settlement on the global stage after it was reported that he was going to get kicked out of the library. Originally brought in in 2010 to patrol for mice at the library, White and others said Browser has become a beloved figure in the city.

SEE ALSO: Cat suspected of flooding animal shelter by turning on water

Lillian Blackburn, president of the Friends of the Library of White Settlement board, said she's glad Browser will stay, but was disappointed by the way the council handled the meeting. She said City Councilman Elzie Clements handed out a paper before the meeting with wording she didn't agree with.

According to Blackburn, Clements claimed the town had been "made a mockery of" and blamed the attention on a "small group of political activists."

Blackburn said she's disappointed with Clements' demeanor.

RELATED: Events to support cat sanctuary

"I wanted to tell them, 'I hope that this is an opportunity for the council to understand we appreciate them, but please, when there's an issue that involves everyone, can we please talk about it before a vote and see if there's a solution?"

Blackburn said Clements alleged people with allergies could not enter the library, spurring the vote to have the cat removed.

Blackburn told Chron.com Wednesday that all of Browser's food and veterinary bills are paid for by donations and fundraisers. Should patrons have an issue with allergies, Blackburn said library staff will relocate Browser to keep people from itching and sneezing.

Former City Councilman Alan Price said City Hall was packed with concerned people and interested media.

"They voted the cat back in and it was a full house," Price said. "They had tons of news media there from all different stations. Everyone wanted to hear the verdict."

It appears for now, Browser is safe and will maintain his job as the library's top mouser.