STARKVILLE — Starkville’s first Pet Mayor, Buster Camp, passed away Wednesday.
Buster’s family announced the pup’s passing on Facebook. Owner Robert Camp wrote of his love for his furry friend.
“Mayor Buster Camp was the best little friend anyone could ever ask for,” Robert wrote. “I will forever cherish these past 14+ years that you allowed me to spend with you. You were my first born and I will love you always. Rest (easy) little buddy.”
Buster Camp was a French Bulldog, born on Aug. 20, 2010, and who was selected as Starkville’s first Pet Mayor in September 2023.
The pet mayor election was held by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership as a fundraiser for the Main Street Association’s pet-friendly initiatives and the Oktibbeha County Humane Society. The humane society received a $3,000 donation at Buster’s collaring ceremony.
As pet mayor, Buster made several public appearances, including serving as the grand marshal of the Starkville Derby, a race for dachshunds held in the Cotton District in May. He also led the Pet Parade at the Cotton District Arts Festival in 2023.
During Buster’s collaring ceremony, Human Mayor Lynn Spruill said she had known Buster since he was a puppy.
“I was honored to serve concurrently with Pet Mayor Buster,” Spruill told The Dispatch in a text message Thursday. “He was a treat to share time with and to have as a special part of our Starkville family of officials. He will be sorely missed by all of Starkville and most especially his family and friends.”
Paige Watson, director of Main Street for the Partnership and coordinator for the election, said the next cycle of pet mayor elections will go forward as planned. Buster’s two-year term was set to expire in the summer.
“He was such a wonderful first pet mayor, and we will always remember him and his legacy that he has left, and we are thinking of the Camp family in the loss of such a special friend,” Watson told The Dispatch Thursday.
The election will also fill a seat left empty by the passing of Fur Chief Sami, a 19-year-old cat owned by Claire Allen, that was also elected in 2023. Sami passed away in April 2024, according to a Facebook post from GSDP.
Votes will also determine a new Chief of Pawlice and Board of Pawldermen for the city.
The Partnership will call for sponsors for the next election in February. Calls for nominations will begin Aug. 4-22, followed by online voting Aug. 25-Sept. 12. The next Pet Mayor will be collared Sept. 16, according to the GSDP website.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
