Gigi, the most popular cat on campus, passes away

Today is a bleak day at the University of Malta, after the most beloved feline on campus meowed his last meow.

Gigi was one of several cats on campus, yet unlike his furry compatriots, he preferred mingling with students and staff rather than with his own kind and indeed, turned the Student House into his de facto home. 

Students and visitors of the University of Malta campus had grown accustomed to the sight of the friendly ginger cat sprawled across the Quad benches or even lying regally on the counters of shops in the Student House building.

Student organisations have taken to social media to express their dismay at the news

The cat has been something of a mascot for the University campus and he won the hearts of students over the past years for his enviable ability to fall asleep anywhere he pleases, as well as his availability for cuddles from stressed students pulling all-nighters on Campus.

Such was his popularity that he even has his own Facebook appreciation page.

The cat was cared for and given much attention by students and staff alike and student organisations and University students have taken to social media to share the sad news of Gigi’s passing.

Such was Gigi’s popularity that his “response” to questions aired by student media organisation Insite during the ‘Humans of UOM’ initiative notched up more Facebook likes than any other participant.

“We will never forget all the times Gigi covered our notes and laps full of fur and interrupted most university common room events,” Insite said in a Facebook post.

“He kept us company through long nights, made us jealous of his ability to sleep anywhere, and was always there when a stressed out student needed a cuddle (or whenever anyone unwrapped a sandwich),” Youth for the Environment said in a Facebook post.