A Tribute Statue to 'Pebbles the Campus Cat' of the University of Essex

Pebbles the Campus Cat has been honored to have a bronze sculpture as a sign of appreciation by the University of Essex on March 5th.

Essex University Student Union

When his first appearance, the staff took him to the veterinarian to get his microchip scanned, and the owner was able to bring him back home. However, the owner of the black-and-white cat, who lived close to the Colchester campus, decided he could stay because the cat kept coming back. He has been referred to as Campus Cat and has been a member of the university for just over 14 years.

The one-and-a-half times Pebbles’ size statue was made by animal sculptor, Gill Parker. It was inaugurated by the university Chancellor, Dr Sarah Perry, and is located between Squares 3 and 4 on campus where hundreds of students pass each day.

“He is a consolation and surprise and a pleasure to anyone who crosses his path, and it is of course only natural that so wise and welcoming a cat should have chosen Essex as his place of residence. And it is only natural that he has become an international sensation,” said Dr Sarah Perry.

University of Essex/ PA

According to the university members, Pebbles enjoys lounging in the sun on The Tony Rich Building’s window ledge. It was said that his food and drink bowls are located outside the student shop. He also loves to sleep around the marketing office and a warm available radiator.

“Pebbles has brought a lot of joy to people’s lives, and a lot of students have taken comfort with having him here,” said Craig Stephens, chief executive of Essex Students’ Union, who is also Pebbles’ registered owner.

Chancellor Sarah Perry and student Gracie Mullane with Campus Cat and the new statue

In honor of the sixteen-year-old who was first seen wandering the campus in 2010, Essex University proclaimed March 5th to be Campus Cat Day and will continue to be an annual event. It includes a poetry photography competition, themed cocktails and hot drinks, craft events, and many more cat-related things.

According to the University of Essex’s website, the line-up celebration includes Pebbles for Pebbles on Square 3 (making your own Pebble for Pebbles), Campus Cat-tails in SU Bar, Exclusive Cat-uccino in The Kitchen, Exclusive Campus Cat merchandise in Everything Essex, and Launch of the Campus Cat Welfare Fund.