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A college has erected a bronze sculpture of a cat that determined to make its home on the campus.
When 16-year-old Pebbles first turned up on the University of Essex, employees took him to a vet to have his microchip scanned and he was returned home to his proprietor.
But the black and white cat, who lived close to to the Colchester campus, saved returning, so his proprietor agreed he may keep.
He has now lived on the college for simply over 14 years and is called Campus Cat.
He has been honoured with a bronze statue, one-and-a-half occasions his measurement, on a plinth on the campus.
Dr Sarah Perry, Chancellor of the college, unveiled the statue by animal sculptor Gill Parker between Square 3 and Square 4 on the campus, the place lots of of scholars go every day.
Dr Perry mentioned it was “of course only natural that so wise and welcoming a cat should have chosen Essex as his place of residence”.
Vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Forster mentioned: “The sculpture on our Colchester campus will be a delight to everyone who has known him and will be a lasting memory of Campus Cat for future staff and students.
“Pebbles chose to live with us many years ago and each day he brings joy and happiness by being amongst us.”
The college mentioned that Pebbles “loves to sleep, be fussed over, and keep an eye on the wildlife on campus”.
He likes to spend time on a window ledge in The Tony Rich Building, particularly within the sunshine, and his foods and drinks bowls are exterior the coed store.
The Students’ Union held its first annual Campus Cat Day on Tuesday, together with cat-themed poetry and a pictures competitors.
Craig Stephens, chief government of Essex Students’ Union, who can also be Pebbles’ registered proprietor, mentioned: “Pebbles has brought a lot of joy to people’s lives, and a lot of students have taken comfort with having him here.
“He’s a great cat around campus and staff love him too, especially when he spends time with them in their offices.
“He’s well-loved and it’s right that we’re having a campus cat appreciation day for him.
“The day is all about having a celebration – and whatever people’s reason for taking part today, Pebbles is bringing people together to have some fun.”
The college mentioned Pebbles is “still waiting for a building to be named after him, the Pebbles Teaching Centre would be good”.
