Cat with cult following at university dies
University of Essex SUA cat that inspired merchandise, a devoted social media following and even his own statue at the University of Essex has died after a short illness.
Pebbles, thought to have been about 18 years old, first wandered into students' lives at the Colchester campus in 2010.
The feline was scanned for a microchip and returned to his owner who lived nearby, but he kept returning to the university - so it was agreed he could stay.
"Pebbles arrived at Essex by accident, chose to stay and became part of what it meant to belong here," said Craig Stephens, chief of the Essex Students' Union.
A popular figure with students, the black and white cat was honoured with a bronze statue in 2024.
The cat-shaped sculpture, one and a half times the size of Pebbles, sits on a plinth at the university.
University of Essex SUPebbles was known for wandering into lectures, around the squares on the campus and sleeping in the library.
The much-photographed cat featured in merchandise and inspired a Campus Cat Day and poetry competition.
He retired from the campus two years ago and Stephens said it was a "privilege and honour" to then welcome Pebbles into his home.
"Thousands of students have come and gone since a little black and white cat first wandered on to campus in 2010. Pebbles stayed," Stephens continued.
"He brought so much joy to so many people and I'm going to miss him enormously."
University students, staff and alumni who would like to remember Pebbles have been invited to visit his statue and leave a tribute.
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