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British Cat Could Be 'Oldest In The World' After Celebrating 30th Birthday

British Cat Could Be 'Oldest In The World' After Celebrating 30th Birthday

Rubble the moggy met his owner in 1988 and has just turned 30, making him possibly the oldest cat in the world

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

In the 80s the average price of a house was £39,500. A pint would set you back around 98p and a litre of petrol was 30p. Such simpler times.

In 1988, GCSEs came into force, replacing O-levels (ask your parents), and Rihanna was born. But much more importantly, so was Rubble the moggy - who has just turned 30 years old.

The cat has been with owner, Michele Foster, since she welcomed him into her life as a kitten in May 1988.

The pair have been inseparable ever since and Rubble has now matched the age of the last world record holder. Yaaas king.

Rubble celebrated his milestone with a birthday bash at his local vet's where he was treated to some of his favourite cat food and a free check-up.

Hang on a minute, wouldn't this be like me spending my birthday in hospital? Doesn't sound too appealing, to be honest.

Rubble and Michele.
SWNS

Rubble's incredible longevity is put down to the fact that Michele never had her own children and pampers him like her child.

I mean, cats are pretty independent by their nature and probably don't need treating like human kids, but ok. You do you, mate. As long as there's not a pram involved.

Michele, 50, said that despite possibly now owning the world's oldest cat she had never wanted to go down the Guinness Book of Records route as she didn't want Rubble turning into a celebrity.

But she said she was still extremely proud of her moggy's achievements. And rightly so.

Rubble the kitty.
SWNS

She said: "He's a lovely cat, although he has got a little grumpy in his old age.

"Rubble suffers from high blood pressure so he needs regular medication and City Vets have been a huge help in keeping him healthy."

The previous oldest living cat in Britain - Nutmeg from Tyne and Wear - died last September.

Rubble is now the same age as Scooter, a Siamese Texas, dubbed a 'record breaker' at the age of 30 by Guinness - but later died. We don't like where this is going.

The oldest cat ever, according to the record books, is Creme Puff (what a name) who was born on 3 August 1967, and lived until 6 August 2005 - an amazing 38 years and three days.

SWNS

Michele says that despite Rubble's unique achievement she tried to keep him out of the spotlight.

She added: "He has plenty of life left in him yet, but I don't think we will go down the Guinness World Record route as I am not sure he would like lots of people coming to see him or a fuss being made out of him.

"He is old now and would not like too much attention or be hassled. We would prefer if he was just left to live out his old age in peace."

Michele who lives in Exeter, Devon, remembers the exact moment that she first met Rubble and claims to be 100 percent certain of the date - because it was her birthday.

"I got him just before my 20th birthday when he was a kitten," she said, adding: "He was part of a litter cat that my sister's friend had and I had just left home.

"I was lonely living on my own so got him in as a kitten."

Since then Rubble has been a loyal companion to Michele virtually all her adult life

SWNS

She added: "He is very loyal. We used to live in London and moved around a lot. He came in the removal van to Devon with us when we moved 15 years ago.

"If you care about something and someone and really love them, that goes a long way.

"I have always treated him like a child - I don't have any children and had another cat called Meg - who passed at the age of 25.

"If you care about something, no matter what it is, it does last."

The moggy - who is the equivalent of 137 human years - is a great big fluffy Maine Coon breed and in great condition for his age.

Go on Rubble, you carry on breaking records (and hearts).

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: Interesting, Cat, Feels, record, Community, Animals, Britain