Socks Has L.A. Toy Maker Purring

Socks the cat, the Clinton family pet, isn’t even in the White House yet. However, a Los Angeles toy producer is already completing plans to trade on the celebrity of the soon-to-be First Feline.

The company, called Street Kids, plans to introduce a furry likeness of Socks in stores nationwide in early February. The plush toy, which is 13 inches long and eight inches tall, will be sold for $17 to $20--depending on the store location.

“There’s not many new hot toy properties out there right now,” said David Siegel, president of Street Kids. “This will be popular because everyone in the country is intrigued with the new President and his family and the family cat.”

Socks will be packaged in a box with partial images of the White House, the Supreme Court building and the Capitol Dome. However, unless the toy is removed from the box, the Capitol Dome is the image that is clearly visible.

“Unfortunately, not enough people recognize the White House,” said Siegel, explaining the prominence of the Capitol Dome.

Siegel said the multiple images of Washington landmarks on the package suggests that “Socks will be the talk of all of Washington.”