The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: Furry, feathered, friendly: Animals of USC

From the cats of C.S. Lewis and the squirrels on the Horseshoe to the regal presence of Sir Big Spur, here's a look at all the animal companions tied to the University of South Carolina.

Edgefield resident Beth Clark holds Sir Big Spur in her arms at Thee SBS Roost on Nov. 12, 2025. Sir Big Spur is an Old English Black Breasted Red Fighting Gamecock and the live mascot for the University of South Carolina.
Edgefield resident Beth Clark holds Sir Big Spur in her arms at Thee SBS Roost on Nov. 12, 2025. Sir Big Spur is an Old English Black Breasted Red Fighting Gamecock and the live mascot for the University of South Carolina.
Edgefield residents Van and Beth Clark sit in their living room with the USC live mascot Sir Big Spur at their farm on Nov. 12, 2025. The Clarks are both retired teachers and are the primary caretakers of Sir Big Spur, who makes regular appearances at athletic events.
Edgefield residents Van and Beth Clark sit in their living room with the USC live mascot Sir Big Spur at their farm on Nov. 12, 2025. The Clarks are both retired teachers and are the primary caretakers of Sir Big Spur, who makes regular appearances at athletic events.
USC live mascot Sir Big Spur stands in a Gamecock-themed bedroom at Thee SBS Roost in Edgefield, South Carolina, on Nov. 12, 2025. The room is decorated with Gamecock memorabilia and is rented out as an AirBNB by Sir Big Spur's owners Van and Beth Clark.
USC live mascot Sir Big Spur stands in a Gamecock-themed bedroom at Thee SBS Roost in Edgefield, South Carolina, on Nov. 12, 2025. The room is decorated with Gamecock memorabilia and is rented out as an AirBNB by Sir Big Spur's owners Van and Beth Clark.
A USC student pets Figaro near Campbell Hall on Nov. 12, 2025. Figaro roams near Gambrell Hall and the Close-Hipp Building.
A USC student pets Figaro near Campbell Hall on Nov. 12, 2025. Figaro roams near Gambrell Hall and the Close-Hipp Building.
Edmund the cat rests in a wood chip pile outside the C.S. Lewis Student Center on Nov. 10, 2025. Edmund and the other cats like to hang around the grate near Gambrell Hall during the winter months for warmth.
Edmund the cat rests in a wood chip pile outside the C.S. Lewis Student Center on Nov. 10, 2025. Edmund and the other cats like to hang around the grate near Gambrell Hall during the winter months for warmth.
Father Paul Sterne looks out the window while Lucy II stands on his shoulders at the C.S. Lewis Student Center on Nov. 10, 2025. Father Sterne is the primary caretaker of the four cats that roam the area near the center.
Father Paul Sterne looks out the window while Lucy II stands on his shoulders at the C.S. Lewis Student Center on Nov. 10, 2025. Father Sterne is the primary caretaker of the four cats that roam the area near the center.
Second-year advertising student Jason Wu tests Spot’s mechanical arm outside the Swearingen Engineering Center on Nov. 12, 2025. Spot’s design allows for precise motion control used in demonstrations for USC engineering students.
Second-year advertising student Jason Wu tests Spot’s mechanical arm outside the Swearingen Engineering Center on Nov. 12, 2025. Spot’s design allows for precise motion control used in demonstrations for USC engineering students.
Fourth-year psychology student Isabella Brasch and fourth-year international business student Will Jordan pet Tyra outside the Russell House on Nov. 14, 2025. The Phi Alpha Delta fraternity brought several dogs from Final Victory Animal Rescue to a tabling event outside Russell for students to pet and play with.
Fourth-year psychology student Isabella Brasch and fourth-year international business student Will Jordan pet Tyra outside the Russell House on Nov. 14, 2025. The Phi Alpha Delta fraternity brought several dogs from Final Victory Animal Rescue to a tabling event outside Russell for students to pet and play with.
Keith the dog sits in a patch of grass outside the Russell House during a tabling event for Phi Alpha Delta on Nov. 14, 2025. Keith is a lab mix and rescue dog from Final Victory Animal Rescue, which regularly collaborates with student organizations to get dogs adopted.
Keith the dog sits in a patch of grass outside the Russell House during a tabling event for Phi Alpha Delta on Nov. 14, 2025. Keith is a lab mix and rescue dog from Final Victory Animal Rescue, which regularly collaborates with student organizations to get dogs adopted.
A squirrel stands on a manhole guard near LeConte College in Columbia on Nov. 13, 2025. This is one of the many squirrels roaming around campus.
A squirrel stands on a manhole guard near LeConte College in Columbia on Nov. 13, 2025. This is one of the many squirrels roaming around campus.