Motorcycling Kitty, Owner Are Mourned Gained Fame Raising Money For Animal Welfare

They had been a familiar sight on New Zealand highways, the black cat Rastus and his owner Max Corkill together on a motorcycle.

This week, they died as they had lived. The 58-year-old New Plymouth man and Rastus were killed in a head-on collision with a car Monday near their hometown.

The duo had gained fame as an act that raised thousands of dollars for animal welfare charities and helped teach children how to care for their pets.

At Christmastime, Corkill donned a Santa Claus suit and Rastus, at the front of the bike, wore reindeer antlers on his tiny helmet as they motored down the road.

On Friday, hundreds of motorcyclists somberly gathered to pay their final respects to Corkill and Rastus.

At Corkill’s request, their remains were cremated together.