Huddersfield station cat who spent most of her life 'on duty' has died

Posted on : 12/05/2023
Huddersfield station cat who spent most of her life 'on duty' has died
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Beloved Huddersfield train station cat Felix has died: Outpouring of grief for moggie who worked as a Senior Pest Controller and spent 12 years patrolling the platforms

  • Beloved TransPennine Express worker Felix passed away from a terminal illness
  • The black-and-white cat spent the majority of her life ‘on duty’ at the station
  • Her name was given to her as a kitten when staff thought she was male 
  • READ MORE: Where the world wants to spend Christmas

A beloved cat who patrolled a West Yorkshire railway station has passed away, leading to an outpouring of grief on her dedicated Facebook page. 

Felix, who served as a ‘Senior Pest Controller’ at Huddersfield Railway Station, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2023, after the discovery of a terminal illness.

She was born on May 17, 2011, and joined the TransPennine Express (TPE) team six weeks later, spending the majority of her life ‘on duty’ at the station.

The black-and-white cat, whose name was given to her as a kitten when staff thought she was male, wore a high-vis jacket and a TPE name badge and even enjoyed use of a unique cat flap that allowed her to bypass the station’s barriers. 

Felix, a ‘Senior Pest Controller’ at Huddersfield Station, has passed away after the discovery of a terminal illness

Felix spent 12 years patrolling the station, delighting customers and commuters who passed through. The friendly feline is pictured on duty at Huddersfield Station 

She spent her days catching mice, making friends with commuters and getting paid in cat treats.

The cat’s passing was announced by TPE, which said she was humanely put to sleep at a local vet. 

She was in the company of Angie Hunte, Huddersfield Station Manager, and Jacqui Cox, Huddersfield Station Team Leader.

Angie said: ‘Felix was more than a cat. She was a beloved member of our station family and left her paw prints on many commuters’ hearts as they passed through the station.

‘Her presence brought smiles to visitors from around the world, making Huddersfield Station a special place. We will miss her dearly.’

Felix wore a high-vis jacket and a TPE name badge and enjoyed use of a unique cat flap that allowed her to bypass the station’s barriers

‘Felix was more than a cat. She was a beloved member of our station family,’ says Angie Hunte, Huddersfield Station Manager

Felix was loved by customers and TPE staff. She rose to fame in 2015 after a Facebook page was set up by a commuter

Felix was at the station for 12 years and is survived by her apprentice Bolt, who joined in 2018. 

The pair have taken part in a yearly calendar and have been featured in two books – raising more than £240,000 for charitable causes.  

Her rise to fame began in 2015 when commuter Alan Hind encountered the friendly feline during his daily travels between Huddersfield and Manchester. 

Alan created a Facebook page for Felix and it has since gained 170,000 followers. 

An announcement of Felix’s death, posted on the Facebook page this morning, has attracted thousands of comments and reactions. 

An announcement of Felix’s death was posted to Facebook alongside the above picture 

One commenter, Jane Horner, said: ‘I’m so very sad to hear this news. I’ve enjoyed many a stroke and cuddle over my commuting years.’

Another person wrote: ‘I can’t believe it. I’m writing this whilst crying. I feel like I have lost one of my own cats.’ 

Lois Fitzpatrick commented: ‘It has been a joy to watch Felix over the years. I’m sure Bolt will carry on the hard work. Love and hugs to all your team. Rest well, Felix.’

TPE has asked fans of Felix to refrain from visiting the station and to leave their expressions of sympathy online via the Felix and Bolt Facebook page memorial post.

It says a memorial will be held in due course. 

TPE has asked fans of Felix to refrain from visiting the station and to leave their expressions of sympathy online 

TPE says there is no official fundraiser for Felix’s passing and asks customers and fans to avoid donating to any fundraisers they may see online in her honour as it ‘cannot guarantee the proceeds will go to a Felix-approved charity’. 

Angie said: ‘We understand that many people will want to honour Felix’s memory, we kindly encourage those wishing to fundraise or donate to consider buying the latest 2024 Felix and Bolt annual calendar instead.’

The 2024 Felix and Bolt calendar will be available later this week and advertised on the Felix and Bolt Facebook page.

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