Socks the Cat posing next to Easter eggs decorated with paw prints, April 1, 1994. Socks Clinton (1989 - February 20, 2009) was the pet cat of President Clinton's family during his presidency. An adopted stray cat, he was the only pet of the Clintons during the early years of the administration, and his likeness hosted the children's version of the White House website. He eventually lost the position of principal Clinton pet in 1997 when the Clintons acquired Buddy, a Labrador Retriever. After Clinton left office, Socks resided with former Clinton secretary Betty Currie and her husband, owing to continuing conflicts with Clinton's dog Buddy. Socks was euthanized on February 20, 2009, in Hollywood, Maryland, after suffering cancer of the jaw.