Owner Got A Cat In 1988, Probably Did Not Expect To Throw Him A Birthday Party 30 Years Later
Ilona BoredPanda staff
Meet Rubble, a cat from Exeter, England, that is now being called the ‘oldest cat in the world’ after recently celebrating his 30th birthday. Rubble and his owner, Michele Foster, have been the very best of friends since she got him as a kitten on her 20th birthday, back in May 1988.
Michele believes that the secret to Rubble’s longevity is the fact that she pampers him as if he were a child, she never had children of her own so Rubble is positively showered with attention and care. “He’s a lovely cat, although he has got a little grumpy in his old age,” she said. “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.”
The oldest cat who ever lived, according to the record books, is Creme Puff, who was born on August 3, 1967, and lived until August 6, 2005, an incredible 38 years and three days! Rubble has some way to go before breaking that particular record, but Michele is very proud of his achievement. She remembers her 20th birthday, the day they first met, quite clearly. “He was part of a litter of cats that my sister’s friend had, and I had just left home,” she explained. “I was lonely living on my own so got him in as a kitten. He is very loyal. We used to live in London and moved around a lot.”
“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.”
Understandably, due to his advanced age, Rubble suffers from high blood pressure. He needs regular medication, which he gets from Shaun Moore of City Vets. “We recently had this amazing cat in for a check up and to celebrate his 30th birthday,” he said. “Rubble is quite likely to be the oldest cat in the UK and is still going strong. He is on medication for his blood pressure but apart from that, he is in remarkably good health.”
“He enjoyed a free check up, some Whiskas Catmilk and Felix pouches, and less appreciated a free supply of medication for the next month as his birthday present from City Vets.”
While we are sure Rubble appreciated the treats, if not the medication, we can only salute his achievement and wish him continuing good health. Scroll down to check him out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
Meet Rubble, a British cat who is now being called the ‘oldest cat in the world’ after celebrating his 30th birthday
Image credits: SWNS
His owner, Michele Foster, got him as a kitten on her 20th birthday May 1988
Image credits: SWNS
“He was part of a litter of cats that my sister’s friend had and I had just left home”
Image credits: SWNS
Image credits: SWNS
“I was lonely living on my own so got him in as a kitten”
Image credits: SWNS
The pair have been inseparable ever since
Image credits: SWNS
Rubble has now matched the age of the last world record holder
Image credits: SWNS
Rubble had a party at his local vets where he was treated to some of his favorite cat food and a free check-up
Image credits: SWNS
“He is on medication for his blood pressure but apart from that, he is in remarkably good health”
Image credits: SWNS
Image credits: SWNS
He is quite likely to be the oldest cat in the world and is still going strong
Image credits: SWNS
Happy 30th birthday Rubble!
Image credits: SWNS
Here’s how people reacted
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Aw, Rubble, you are a beautiful cat and I hope you have many more happy years to come. The only thing I'm uncomfortable with is the attempt to link longevity with the amount of love and care given. Taking excellent care of your animal will certainly help keep it healthy and flourishing, no doubt about it. However, there will be other pets who have had love and attention lavished on them and yet, sadly, have succumbed due to faults in their genes.
Agreed, I've had 2 cats pass when they were 4 years old. They were taken care of and loved as much as our cat that passed when he was 18.
I feel for you, that is so, so sad. For me, it seems worse if you can't even comfort yourself with the thought that at least they were old and had a good long life. Still, you know you loved and cared for them and did everything you could.
True, but the opposite is not. I don't think they'd live that old if they were not well cared for.
I agree. My neighbour's cat was only 8 when he died last year, and he was loved by so many people around here, we all spoilt him with affection whenever we saw him. I'm not really a cat person, but this particular cat was very endearing, he was just so sweet, everyone loved him.
So very true. I think most people treat their cats well and many, many others lavish them with great love, affection and care and most of even those cats never live any wheres near that long. So it's unfair to say cats only live long when they are loved and cared for. Very thoughtless remark.
My dad had a cat who lived to be 23, and another 17. I hope my baby lives just as long, if not longer!
She's 9 31229429_2...863931.jpg
She is a very pretty cat. May she have many long healthy years.
Thank you for sharing, Erin.
Cats can live very long indeed. My friend's grandparents used to own a siamese cat that lived to be 26 years old! The neighbourhood vet is still telling legends to his patients about him.
Oh, your kitty is lovely.
A free check up for birthday... I'd be miserable too, lol... But he is handsome.
Aw, Rubble, you are a beautiful cat and I hope you have many more happy years to come. The only thing I'm uncomfortable with is the attempt to link longevity with the amount of love and care given. Taking excellent care of your animal will certainly help keep it healthy and flourishing, no doubt about it. However, there will be other pets who have had love and attention lavished on them and yet, sadly, have succumbed due to faults in their genes.
Agreed, I've had 2 cats pass when they were 4 years old. They were taken care of and loved as much as our cat that passed when he was 18.
I feel for you, that is so, so sad. For me, it seems worse if you can't even comfort yourself with the thought that at least they were old and had a good long life. Still, you know you loved and cared for them and did everything you could.
True, but the opposite is not. I don't think they'd live that old if they were not well cared for.
I agree. My neighbour's cat was only 8 when he died last year, and he was loved by so many people around here, we all spoilt him with affection whenever we saw him. I'm not really a cat person, but this particular cat was very endearing, he was just so sweet, everyone loved him.
So very true. I think most people treat their cats well and many, many others lavish them with great love, affection and care and most of even those cats never live any wheres near that long. So it's unfair to say cats only live long when they are loved and cared for. Very thoughtless remark.
My dad had a cat who lived to be 23, and another 17. I hope my baby lives just as long, if not longer!
She's 9 31229429_2...863931.jpg
She is a very pretty cat. May she have many long healthy years.
Thank you for sharing, Erin.
Cats can live very long indeed. My friend's grandparents used to own a siamese cat that lived to be 26 years old! The neighbourhood vet is still telling legends to his patients about him.
Oh, your kitty is lovely.
A free check up for birthday... I'd be miserable too, lol... But he is handsome.