A sad goodbye to Pebbles our beloved Campus Cat

The University of Essex’s beloved Campus Cat, Pebbles, has died after nearly 17 years as part of student life.

The black-and-white cat first wandered onto campus as a stray in 2010 and, despite being returned to his nearby home, came straight back to the University, eventually becoming one of the most recognisable and loved members of our community.

Tens of thousands of students encountered Pebbles over the years as he prowled the Colchester Campus, wandered into lectures and slept alongside students studying in the library.

His popularity inspired thousands of photographs, a devoted social media following and fast-selling Pebbles merchandise.

In 2024, donations to Essex Students' Union funded a bronze statue of Pebbles on campus, which was unveiled by best-selling author and University Chancellor Dr Sarah Perry with a heartfelt poem.

Rubbing the monument’s nose for good luck has since become an Essex tradition.

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.

Craig Stephens, CEO of Essex Students' Union and Pebbles' adopted owner, said: “Pebbles was part of Essex for 17 years, and it’s been a real privilege and honour to have him live with me for the past three years, 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 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 onto campus in 2010. Pebbles stayed.

“He brought so much joy to so many people, and I’m going to miss him enormously.”

Pebbles first appeared as a stray in late 2010 and by early 2011 had made the University his home.

After a member of staff managed to catch him and take him to a vet, his microchip revealed that he belonged to a nearby family.

Pebbles was returned home, but within 24 hours he was back on campus.

After further attempts to return him, his owner agreed that Pebbles had clearly made his choice.

He was eventually adopted by Mr Stephens and became a much-loved fixture of campus life.

Over the years, Pebbles could regularly be found wandering the Squares, waiting outside The Store or settling into one of his favourite spots, including the Tony Rich Teaching Centre and the Library.

He was equally at home appearing unexpectedly in offices and teaching spaces or simply finding somewhere comfortable to sleep while students stopped to say hello.
For generations of students, seeing Pebbles became a reassuring and familiar part of university life.

Students have even been known to say that meeting him played a part in their decision to choose Essex.

In 2024, Essex Students' Union decided it was time to give its most famous four-legged member the recognition he deserved and launched the first Campus Cat Day.

The day celebrated all things Pebbles, with photography and poetry competitions, crafts, themed drinks and more.

The winning poem, Ode to Pebbles by Damien Bell, captured many of the things students had come to love about him, from waiting outside The Store to being a “Rebel with a cause”.

Mina Comez, President of Essex Students' Union, said: “Pebbles was so much more than a campus cat. He was part of Essex.

“For generations of students, he was a familiar face around campus, a source of comfort on a difficult day and, for many, simply one of those little things that made Essex feel like home.

“Even students who arrived after Pebbles retired knew his name, knew his statue and knew to rub his nose for luck.

“There aren't many cats who can say they helped people choose their university, had a day dedicated to them and had their own statue.

“But there was only one Pebbles.

“We know how much he meant to students, staff and alumni, and we're going to miss him enormously.”