Mr. Paws

Mr. Paws is one of the part-Kneazle cats belonging to the Squib, Arabella Figg. Residing with Mrs. Figg near Privet Drive, Mr. Paws was part of a network of feline lookouts tasked by Albus Dumbledore with monitoring Harry Potter's safety during his childhood. His existence is revealed during Mrs. Figg's testimony at Harry's disciplinary hearing, helping to corroborate her long-standing connection to the Wizarding world.

Mr. Paws lived with Arabella Figg on Wisteria Walk and served as a covert guard for Harry Potter. Along with Mrs. Figg's other cats—Mr. Tibbles, Snowy, and Tufty—he was part of a surveillance team that reported on Harry's activities and any unusual occurrences in the neighbourhood. In August 1995, following the Dementor attack in Little Whinging, Arabella Figg was called as a witness for the defence at Harry's hearing before the Wizengamot. To establish her credibility and long-standing role as Harry's watcher, she named her cats, including Mr. Paws, as part of her “team.” This mention is the sole reference to Mr. Paws in the series.

The novels do not provide a specific physical description of Mr. Paws. However, as he is described as a cross between a cat and a Kneazle, he would likely appear as a regular cat but possess the distinctive intelligence and intuition characteristic of the magical creature. His personality is not detailed, but his role as a reliable lookout suggests he was disciplined and observant.

As a part-Kneazle, Mr. Paws's primary ability was his enhanced intelligence and perception. Kneazles are known for their uncanny ability to detect suspicious and deceitful individuals, a skill that would have been invaluable in his role guarding Harry Potter. He effectively functioned as a living security measure for Albus Dumbledore's protection plan for Harry.

Mr. Paws is not known to have owned any specific possessions.

• Arabella Figg: Mr. Paws's owner and handler. He was loyal to her and followed her instructions as part of the surveillance effort.
• Mr. Tibbles, Snowy, and Tufty: His fellow part-Kneazle cats who worked alongside him in watching over Harry Potter.
• Albus Dumbledore: While there was no direct interaction, Mr. Paws served Dumbledore's larger plan for Harry's protection under Mrs. Figg's direction, making him an asset to the Order of the Phoenix.

The name “Mr. Paws” is simple and common for a pet cat. “Mr.” is a standard honorific, and “Paws” directly refers to a cat's feet. The name's mundane quality aligns perfectly with Arabella Figg's disguise as an eccentric but ordinary Muggle cat-lover, helping to conceal her connection to the magical world.

Mr. Paws, along with Mrs. Figg's other named cats besides Mr. Tibbles, is omitted from the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Mrs. Figg's testimony is significantly shortened in the film, and she does not mention her network of cat spies (film).