LIFE

Rutger, the Rutgers Gardens cat, dies at 21

The friendly "Garden Greeter" lived a long, happy 21 years.

Cheryl Makin
@CherylMakin
  • Rutger the Rutgers Gardens cat died on Monday lying in the grass in the sun.
  • The beloved cat was 21 years old.
  • He was the subject of a missing cat search in the summer of 2014.
  • He and his littermate, sister Abs, came to Rutgers Gardens at 6 weeks old. Abs died in May 2014.

NEW BRUNSWICK – Rutger the cat was a beloved fixture at Rutgers Gardens. Surrounded by people who loved him, Rutger died on Monday in his favorite place — lying in the grass in the sun. He was 21.

"We loved him and he had a good life," said Mary Forsberg, a Rutgers Gardens volunteer and self-proclaimed Rutger admirer.

"It was so sad," Rutgers Gardens Horticulturist Monica McLaughlin said. "But, he was just old. His body was shutting down."

Both women were with their friend when he died. They knew it was time, McLaughlin said.

"But it was a beautiful day," McLaughlin said. "We held him and sat in the grass with the sun shining down on him."

Rutger, the 21-year-old cat who lived at Rutgers Gardens, died Monday.

Despite a short lost-and-found period in 2014, Rutger spent his life at Rutgers Gardens. A friendly gray tabby with a brownish nose and gold eyes, Rutger came to Rutgers Gardens as a frisky kitten along with his littermate, sister Abs. A former Rutgers Gardens director brought Rutger and Abs at 6 weeks to the gardens. Their “job” was to control the mice population in the greenhouse. Abs died in May 2014.

RELATED: Beloved Rutgers Gardens cat is missing

Both cats were loved and cared for by the staff and volunteers at Rutgers Gardens.

"He will be missed," McLaughlin said. "It's so quiet now. Even though cats don't make any noise. A presence is everything and he had made a presence without making a sound."

Known as the “Garden Greeter,” Rutger became a staple at Rutgers Gardens. During the summer months, the friendly cat inevitably would be found at his post outside the gift shop.

Rutger, the 21-year-old cat who lived at Rutgers Gardens, died Monday.

During fall, winter and spring, he stayed in the greenhouse where he lived, McLaughlin said.

“There are other greenhouse cats, but they stay in the area," she said. "They don’t wander. As soon as summer begins and more visitors arrive, Rutger walked across the whole gardens to get to the gift shop.”

It was noticed that Rutger was missing around July 30, 2014. According to McLaughlin, a woman took him intending to make him her pet. It did not work out and instead of returning Rutger, the woman set him free about two miles away. The smell of grilled salmon brought him to a backyard on nearby Ruth Street. The next day, he was found at the same home. McLoughlin spotted him right away sitting in the front yard.

RELATED: Rutger the Rutgers Garden cat reunited

At the time, McLaughlin said the experience of Rutger being lost and found renewed her faith in people in general. So many reached out to Rutgers Gardens to send their good wishes and look for Rutger.

Rutger, the Rutgers Gardens cat, died Monday at 21.

“With all the bad news going around, this has been a reaffirmation in humanity,” McLaughlin said. “Since the story went online, we have received so many phone calls and offers of help. From as far away as South Jersey. One said they had experience finding lost cats and would come to help us. This has just been amazing.

"Even a year later, a woman called me because she found the article saved in a relative's house,” she added. "But, she only had the first half and wanted to know how the story ended. I told her it was the happiest of endings. He came home."

While his health wasn't the best in the last few years, Rutger had almost two more happy years at Rutgers Gardens after his 2014 adventure. He continued to do what he did best — greet visitors, enjoy the gardens and just be his happy, loving self. Rutger will be missed by staff, volunteers and visitors.

"He was spoiled rotten this last year and a half," McLaughlin said. "So pampered. Special food. He was beloved. He was a celebrity and deservedly so. No other cat will take Rutger's place."

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin: 732-565-7256; cmakin@mycentraljersey.com