Pebbles, the unofficial mascot of the University of Essex’s Colchester campus, has died.
The university described the black-and-white cat as “one of the most recognisable and loved members of our community”.
Pebbles, then a youngster, first appeared at the campus in 2010.
He was scanned or a microchip and returned to his owner, who lived nearby.
However, he kept returning to the university – perhaps pulled by the power of higher learning – so his owner agreed he could stay.
He became a popular figure among the students and inspired a devout social media following.
He was even honoured with a bronze statue in 2024, which sits on a plinth at the university.
The statue, funded by donations to the Essex Students’ Union, is one-and-a-half times the size of Pebbles.
It was unveiled by university chancellor Dr Sarah Perry with a poem, and rubbing its nose has since become a campus tradition.
The friendly feline featured in university merchandise and inspired a Campus Cat Day and a poetry competition.
He was often seen wandering into lectures, greeting his adoring public around the squares on the campus, and sleeping in the library.
He retired from the campus two years ago and moved in with Essex Students’ Union chief executive Craig Stephens.
He has now died after a brief illness. He was thought to have been about 18 years old.
Mr Stephens said that it was a “privilege and honour” to have Pebbles live with him, “even if I’m not sure he always liked me quite as much as everyone else”.
“I was the one who took him to the vet, after all,” he said.
“He very much knew his own mind, including choosing Essex as his home.
“Pebbles arrived at Essex by accident, chose to stay and became part of what it meant to belong here.
“Thousands of students have come and gone since a little black-and-white cat first wandered on to campus in 2010.
“Pebbles stayed.
“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 are invited to visit his statue on campus, where they can leave a flower, message, photograph or memory over the coming days.
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