Casper (cat) facts for kids
Casper commuting by bus
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| Other name(s) | Cassie |
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| Species | Felis silvestris catus |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | c. 1997 |
| Died | 14 January 2010 (aged 12–13) Plymouth, Devon, England |
| Years active | 2006–2010 |
| Owner | Susan Finden (2002–2010) |
Casper was a special male cat born around 1997. He became famous worldwide in 2009 because he loved riding buses in Plymouth, England! People all over the world heard about his amazing adventures.
Casper was even featured on BBC News. A big newspaper called The Guardian wrote about him. He even had a book written about his life, called Casper the Commuting Cat. Sadly, Casper passed away on January 14, 2010, after being hit by a taxi.
Casper's Amazing Life
Casper found a new home in 2002. He was adopted by Susan Finden, a healthcare worker, from an animal rescue center in Weymouth, Dorset. When he first arrived at the center, he was called Morse. But Susan soon changed his name to Casper, like "Casper the Friendly Ghost," because he kept disappearing!
Susan quickly learned that Casper was a very independent cat. He loved to explore and often wandered off on his own. She also noticed he wasn't scared of people or busy roads. In fact, he seemed to enjoy being near big vehicles. Soon, Susan heard stories about Casper visiting nearby offices, doctor's rooms, and pharmacies. She worried about him crossing roads and tried to keep him indoors. But Casper always found a way to sneak out!
In 2006, Susan and Casper moved to Plymouth, Devon. Susan had no idea what Casper did while she was at work. Then, in early 2009, she made an amazing discovery: Casper was riding the buses!
Bus drivers told her that Casper would wait politely at the bus stop across from her house. When a bus he liked arrived, he would hop on. He even had a favorite seat! Casper would stay on the bus for its whole 11-mile trip to the city center and back. The drivers always made sure he got off at the right stop, right outside his home.
When Susan found out about Casper's bus trips, she contacted the bus company, First Devon & Cornwall. They told all their drivers to look out for him. Susan was so touched by how kind the drivers and passengers were to Casper. She wrote a letter to The Plymouth Herald newspaper to thank them. Her letter led to The Herald writing an article about Casper in April 2009. News agencies quickly shared the story, and Casper became famous across the country and then around the world!
Casper became a true celebrity. He appeared in newspapers and on websites everywhere. BBC News even filmed him getting on a bus. The bus company, First Devon & Cornwall, put a huge picture of Casper on the side of some of their buses. They said they would never charge Casper a bus fare. Their public-relations manager, Karen Baxter, joked: "In cat years he's an OAP (Old Age Pensioner) so he'd get a free bus pass anyway!"
A Sad Farewell
On January 14, 2010, Casper was hit by a taxi. The taxi did not stop to help him. Casper was badly hurt and passed away before Susan could get him to a vet. News of this sad accident quickly spread around the world.
Susan later contacted the taxi company. However, she could not take legal action because British traffic rules do not require drivers to stop after hitting a cat. (They must stop if they hit a dog.) Susan had Casper cremated at a vet's crematorium. She chose not to keep his ashes, as she had done with her other cats.
Bus drivers and passengers in Plymouth who knew Casper were very sad. They shared their memories of him. Susan put up a notice at his bus stop. It said:
Many local people knew Casper, who loved everyone. He also enjoyed the bus journeys. Sadly a motorist hit him ... and did not stop. Casper died from his injuries. He will be greatly missed ... he was a much-loved pet who had so much character. Thank you to all those who befriended him.
Susan also received messages of sympathy from people all over the world, including Australia, Argentina, Indonesia, and the United States. The Guardian newspaper wrote a special article about him, saying: "Casper had a thing about HGVs (big trucks), but otherwise little road sense. That could have been his undoing. But, all things considered, what a ride it was."
Casper's Story Lives On!
After Casper's death, Susan Finden decided to write a book about him. She got help from a ghostwriter named Linda Watson-Brown. The book, called Casper the Commuting Cat, tells all about Casper's adventures, how he became famous, and his sad passing.
The book was first published in the United Kingdom in August 2010 by Simon & Schuster UK. It was so popular that it was later translated into six other languages!
In October 2010, The Plymouth Herald reported exciting news. A full-length movie about Casper's story might be made! A British film director is looking into the story. A production company is believed to be getting money for the film. They have even thought about two "high-profile actresses" to play Susan Finden in the movie. It seems Casper's amazing story will continue to inspire people for a long time!
