Celebrity cat Susie to be honoured with statue

A celebrity cat whose hometown adventures have earned her a worldwide following is to be honoured with a bronze statue.

Susie the cat is often seen in central Dorchester, Dorset, and a Facebook group dedicated to news and sightings of her has more than 11,000 members.

Her owner, Jenny Graves, said an anonymous donor had asked permission to create a statue, depicting Susie in the style of a Roman-era cat as a nod to the town's Roman origins.

If planning permission is granted, the proposed statue will be cast by Weymouth sculptor Ama Menec and installed in Dorchester's South Street.

Susie moved from Upwey to Dorchester with owners Linda and Michael Crow, when they came to stay with Graves, their daughter, in 2023.

After the move, they were inundated with calls from people concerned the cat was lost, so they changed her name tag to say: "Susie - Not lost, just adventurous."

Businesses and residents regularly post updates showing Susie making herself at home in pubs, shops and supermarkets.

Graves, who is a hospital consultant, said: "We have people from all over the world following her so it's been a nice thing.

"I get at least two patients in every clinic who mention her.

"I really like it – it's allowed me to meet all sorts of people who I would not have otherwise met."

Graves said the donor, who is also project manager, wanted to remain anonymous but was someone with an interest in local ancient history who wanted to raise a statue to her pet.

She said: "I don't want to offend anyone but it's completely crazy… in a good way.

"If it increases footfall, it can only be a positive thing."

The sculpture will depict Susie wearing a Roman-style cat collar of glass beads.

At her feet will be a Roman tile bearing her paw prints, similar to those found on a Roman tile in Gloucester.

The statue will be installed at eye level for small children, on a plinth of Portland stone full of Jurassic Coast fossils.

In 2024, a children's book entitled Not Lost was published about Susie to raise money for People First Dorset, a charity helping people with learning disabilities.

Charity manager Laura Kerr suggested the book after Susie turned up at her fourth-floor flat.

The book's authors - Kerry Martin, William Parmiter and Emily Burr, of People First Dorset - worked with Weymouth artist Catherine Owen, and about 100 people turned up to the book launch.

Postcards by Catherine Owen have also been sold to raise money for a cat rescue charity.

In December, a 2026 calendar featuring photos of Susie was created by local resident Matthew Darvill, raising more than £2,600 for Samaritans.