Harper cats leave 24 Sussex, but bats might stay

What's happening to the cats?

That might not have been everyone's first thought following the defeat of Stephen Harper's government Oct. 19, but the non-human inhabitants of 24 Sussex Drive must also make a transition with the arrival of a new government.

And so, the Harper family pets catsStanleyand Gypsy, as well as Charliethechinchilla are heading west asthe rest of the household begins its next chapterin Calgary.

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But those weren't the only furry inhabitants at the prime ministerial abode.

Laureen Harper is a keensupporter and advocate for animal causes, including the work of the Ottawa Humane Society. When the organization officially opened its new shelter in 2011, the prime minister and his wife were special guests.

Part of the private bedroom area of the prime minister's official residence was used to foster animals awaiting adoption.

Pet started as foster animal

While the Humane Society won't disclose informationabout specificvolunteers, the prime minister's communications team has disclosed that the family fostered dozens of animals since the Conservatives first formed government.

Since 2006, theprime minister's official web site has included links and contact information that actively encouraged animal adoption as a pet cause of the Harper family.

The chinchilla, featured on the prime minister's Christmas card in 2013, started asa rescue animal inthe Harpers' care.

Stephen Harper's other love, music, paidtribute to his taste in pets: his band's name, the Van Cats, was a play on the French translation of 24, the official residence's street address.

The Harper family was among more than 300 Ottawa-area volunteerswho provided animal foster care, often for cats and kittens in particular.

Foster homes helpwhen an animalis orphaned,recovering from surgeryor dealingwith other short-term health needs than mean final adoption must wait, such as a mother cat rescued while still nursing kittens.

The Harpers' final foster animalswere returned to the Humane Society for adoptionover the summer, so nonewere left homeless when Canadian electoral tastes shifted andthe moving truck backed up to 24 Sussex earlier this week.

Bat house to stay?

As a vigourous public debate emergesover what to do with 24 Sussex itself, a small addition to the house initiated by Laureen might outlast the Harper's residency.

In late May, a bat house was installedin a sunny location on the exterior of one of the buildings on theproperty.

• Laureen Harper hosts new nighttime friends at 24 Sussex with bat house

The Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary worked with Laureen and the National Capital Commission, which manages the property, to construct the shelter.

A small groupthenjoined her for the release back to the wild of some rescuebats who'd originated inthe same part of Ottawa, in the hopes that they would find a happy home inher backyard.

On Facebook, Laureencalled bats "the most natural form of insect repellent," something that might be importantat certain times of the yearwhenenjoying 24 Sussex's gorgeousbackyard viewofthe Ottawa River.

Unlike fostering cats, the bat house is low-maintenance, and might not have to come down while the rest of the property is vacant or under massiverenovation.

A spokesman for the NCC said the agency had no further information to disclose on the future of the official residence, or its bat house.

Incoming prime minister Justin Trudeau's family has moved intoRideau Cottage, on the grounds of RideauHall, the governor general's official residencejust across the street.

Liberal spokeswoman Kate Purchase told CBC News the Trudeau family currently has no pets.