First Pets: Four-Legged or Feathered Friends of President William McKinley

While President William McKinley was in office, so were Valerino Weyler and Enrique De Lome. Two angora cats – named Valerino and Enrique – ruled the White House grounds during the 25th president's term in office.

Here's a look at McKinley's presidency and pets.

William McKinley was the 25th president of the U.S., the third president to be assassinated while in office, and the last president to have served in the Civil War, according to the White House Historical Association. McKinley is best known for leading the U.S. to victory in the Spanish-American War, raising protective tariffs as well as rejecting many inflationary proposals.

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Cleveland businessman Marcus Alonzo Hanna described McKinley as “the advance agent of prosperity,” the White House Historical Association said. McKinley’s character made him a popular president to many, and his foreign policy gave way to the annexation of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. McKinley’s character also made him quite the animal lover, and his family owned a variety of different animals during their time at the White House, including a very colorful feathered friend.

McKinley married Ida Saxton on Jan. 25, 1871. That same year, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Katherine, on Christmas Day. Their second daughter, Ida, was born in 1873, but died the same year, and in 1875, Katherine died of typhoid fever. Soon after the first lady developed epilepsy, which required McKinley to take care of her the rest of her life. The couple never had children after their two daughters died, but instead acquired a plethora of animals.

While in the White House, McKinley and the first lady acquired a beautiful Mexican double yellow-headed parrot named Washington Post, the Presidential Pet Museum noted. In addition, the McKinleys also had two angora cats and their kittens. Roosters also became pets of the family while in the White House.

While the McKinleys suffered unimaginable losses in their lifetimes, their kittens, cats and birds may have possibly helped to heal the open wounds.

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