Bus Stop Cat Beau Achieves Local Celebrity Status

A feline that regularly accompanies commuters awaiting their buses has achieved local celebrity status. Beau, a ginger tomcat, is so highly regarded that residents of Shepshed, Leicestershire, are contributing funds for a piece of artwork commemorating him. The 13-year-old cat is owned by Victoria Reeve, a local resident, who acknowledges that “he’s more Shepshed’s cat now.” Ms. Reeve stated that “Everybody looks out for him.” She mentioned that the cat receives so much food from various individuals that he frequently requires a diet, and her family occasionally visits the bus stop to spend time with him. Ms. Reeve commented, “I did mind to start with, I have a few cats and I have had some taken in the past – but at least I always know where he is.” She added, “He’s very good with children, I’ve had a lot of people come up and say he absolutely adores them, he always makes such a fuss.” This summer, Beau maintained his consistent presence at the Bullring bus stop, even while construction was underway to install bus shelters, paving, and benches as part of the Shepshed Town Centre Masterplan. In August, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to finance “a statue, plaque or some form of artwork” dedicated to Beau and his “friendly face.” Susan Guy, a photographer, is not a frequent bus user but often pauses to sit with Beau when she passes by. She expressed that a statue commemorating him “would be so sweet.” She also stated, “I do walk past the stop and always give him a hug.” Hollie Buchanan, 20, who resides in Kegworth and commutes by bus to her job in Shepshed, remarked: “He’s always around, everyone knows the ginger cat. I’m terrified of cats but I’ve got videos of it on my knee.” She further noted, “I work in the care home and he’s visited there too a couple of times.” Marrianne Morris, 58, a Shepshed resident employed across from the Bullring bus stop, commented: “He’s definitely an attraction.” She continued, “I’ve been here five years and you see him most days. The school kids stroke him, when people are sitting at the bus stop he always comes and climbs on their laps for a stroke – until he gets fed up.” She concluded, “He’s very friendly, everybody knows him – it would be quite nice to see a little statue.”