Pebbles, aka Campus Cat
An Essex icon.
“My name is Pebbles, but I’m also known as Campus Cat. I used to live nearby in Greenstead, but one day, as I was wandering around, I discovered the University’s Colchester Campus and I realised that this is the best place on earth. The SU kept trying to take me home but you can’t keep a good cat down so I just kept coming back. 14 years later and I’m still here.
“I found it easy to make friends at Essex. One of them was Michael Spencer, the Student Unions’ Vice-President (Education) at the time, who ran a campaign for me and as a result I got officially adopted by the SU – my new family. My official owner is Craig Stephens, Chief Executive of Essex Students’ Union, although as he’s the one that takes me the vets and gives me regular treatments, I prefer cuddles from my wider Essex family.
“I have a registration card and I love attending lectures. After having attended more entrepreneurship lectures than most of the students, I started selling my own merch, which you can find in the Everything Essex shop on campus. Get yourself a mug with my face on, a keychain, a magnet, or even a little stress-busting squeezy me! All profits help to pay for my food and pampering!
“I never really cared about being famous, but it seems that it’s just my destiny. I have a fan page on Instagram with 9.5k followers, a popular X account and I’ve been featured on BBC and ITV. I constantly have a crowd of students following me around campus taking photos and I’m on first name terms with the marketing team, I think I’m what they call an influencer?
"If I fit, I sit"
Pebbles
“I’ve heard rumours that other UK universities are being copy cats with their own campus pets but I can’t be dealing with the drama of it all. The original and the best – you know how it is. I have to keep my focus on the important things in life like finding the perfect sunny spot to lay in and get all toasty.
“I even have a day dedicated to me in all my grandeur. 5 March 2024 marked the first official Campus Cat day. Hundreds of students and staff gathered to see our Chancellor, Dr Sarah Perry, unveil a bronze statue of moi. I’m not sure it captures the full extent of my beauty, but it’s pretty good I suppose.
@uniofessex screaming, crying, sobbing #CapCut #UniversityOfEssex #EssexUni #UniTok #CampusCat #CatTok #TaylorSwift #SwiftTok #ErasTour ♬ original sound - University of Essex
“My life motto is “If I fit, I sit” and I really try to stick to it. Whenever I’m not in lectures I wander around, occupy chairs, chill by the lakes or earn some treats. When you start at Essex, come and pet me – I might be a bit nonchalant and ignore you but it’s just who I am, a pretty cool cat.”
Liv's story
“I realised there was a gap in content for aspiring PhD students. I started sharing my experiences on Instagram and TikTok, which grew into a following of 600k.”
Michael's story
"Now in my third year, I’m currently on placement as a Global HR Intern at Disney in London."
Lily-May's story
"We became a bit of an Erasmus party flat. It was a pretty small place but we’d have parties with 50 people – our poor neighbours!"
Built with Shorthand