Owner Got A Cat In 1988, Probably Did Not Expect To Throw Him A Birthday Party 30 Years Later
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
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.
Load More Replies...My dad had a cat who lived to be 23, and another 17. I hope my baby lives just as long, if not longer!
My Leon is about 14 years old now. I hope he will be with us at least another couple of years Leon_mini-...4a651d.jpg
My cat, lived just for 3.5 years. She was my best friend and I was imagining how I will travel all around the world with her together. But she got really ill, did our best to save her but we couldn't. I think, although she had a short life, it was a happy one for sure! And that's the most important thing, to enjoy every moment of life. And my cat really knew how to do it until the last breath.
I'm so so sorry for your loss. I know how it is, I was the one who brought my cat into the house when he fitted in my palm and I was the one holding him at the vet at the final moment. Still breaks heart although it happened 14 years ago. It's a hole in the heart that nothing can ever fill in.
Load More Replies...My grandfather found an abandoned kitten on some railroad tracks in Scotland, many years ago, staggering home from the pub. He picked the kitten up, put it in his pocket, got home and hung his coat in the closet. Next day, my grandmother went to grab her coat out of the same closet and something grabbed her, it was the kitten. Very tiny, she put him in a box on the counter, went out to the shops, came home and fed tiny kitten pablum and milk with an eyedropper, vet estimated kitten was just a few weeks old. That kitten was named Peter and lived on that corner of the kitchen counter for 27 years. everyone thought gran was going dotty long before she did, because even when she was alone in the kitchen she would be talking away, having entire conversations, turned out she was talking with Peter, not to herself. That cat would nod and look to where she was pointing and carry on like he was actually following the conversation, he provided an old lady many years of comfort.
Beautiful cat, and 30 years... wow... I just lost one of my cats last week, she would've been 13 next month... :(
Happy birthday Rubble... Do s/he get letter from queen? Lol. S/he already 100++ yo in cat year.
When Queen Elizabeth turns 100 in a few years, who will send her a letter? ;-) Amazing woman!
Load More Replies...Happy birthday Rubble. I hope you'll have some more good years ahead
Rubble is a handsome cat! The fact that he has made it to 30 is proof he has been treated well. My kitty is on his tail. She is 27 and going strong. I hope she can look as good as Rubble does on her 30th birthday. So far, her only problem is arthritis in her back leg. Watch out Rubble, you've got competition! fullsizeou...f-jpeg.jpg
I love his colors! So gorgeous. I'm glad they can have this celebration together, and I hope they still have more years to come. Happy birthday, Rubble!
Beautiful story! Our brother and sister cats turned 15 last month. Unfortunately their mom passed at approximately 11 but she was a pregnant stray when she snuck into our house so we don’t know what kind of life she had before us. We have them see the same vet regularly and are indoors only. I think proper care helps their longevity just like humans.
Beautiful cat, it's astonishing that his face isn't turning white yet
I applaud you and your fur-baby. I just lost my 27-year-old cat last week. She had kidney failure which finally did her in. They are definitely family. I keep telling my other cats they need to live as long as Taylor did. God bless them all. Taylor-201...a754c4.jpg
First of all, that cat is CUTE. Second if all, Happy Birthday Rubble! My cat Rub15 years was put to sleep for brain failure a few months ago. May the speed force be with you, Rubble!
So very sorry for your loss. I'm sure you gave your kitty lots of love and care
Load More Replies...An awesome cat, every cat owner knows why the Egyptians worshipped them. I wish you both many more years of happiness together.
I look at him and despite being very happy that she has managed to live a lot, I cry the death of my little one when I was only fifteen. I tried to give him the best life possible, to be present and affectionate, to treat him for every problem he presented, and yet a tumor ripped me away, and I can not manage to make a region, spend days, weeks, months, and I still suffer as if they had ripped a piece of me. I really feel like a bad person thinking about my pain in front of a party for such a beautiful goal, but I can not do anything about it.
i had one cat named AngeI. She adored me as much as I adored her. When I came home from work she setlled in my lap for hours and hours. She lived for 18 years and is now in cat heaven. I miss you Angel.
Rubble was freaking gorgeous as a kitten and still is. The care and love that has been given to this amazing creature is mind blowing. Lovely story.
I think the author of the article added that opinion that he lived so long because he was so cared for.... He does need to be brushed, however, many older cats start neglecting their coats....
NICE to see a person who didn't dump her cat ever! So many people think pets are disposable...so many pets put down or sent to a shelter or kicked out on the streets because the human has to "move", "get married", "have a kid", "my boyfriend doesn't like him", and on and on!!! This woman GETS IT!
How great for you and Rubble ! Happy 30th Birthday ! You must be a great cat owner to take such good care of Rubble.
My poor skinny little Lily is 18 years old. She's arthritic, has a heart problem and thyroid problem. She's part Siamese, so her demanding 'MEOW!' has a certain....abrasiveness about it. I feel sad when I see her ribs but she still purrs when I rub her and she loves sitting in my lap when I fall asleep in the recliner.
Happy birthday dear Rubble.... You are so cute! I hope all animals in this whole wide world die at a very old age
Not that other people don't whose cats don't live as long. I mean lots of love
Load More Replies...I had no idea cats get high Blood Pressure! amazing they discovered this. It is going to hurt a lot when she loses this cat. We lost ours at 18 years old 4 years ago and I still miss him. Good job taking such wonderful care of him Michele.
I've always had adult cats with a history. They never reached an old age.
What a happy story, it gives me hope that my two cats will have a long life. I also treat my furry girls as though they are toddlers, they have filled my life with love and laughter, both beautiful girls were adopted !!!
This is awesome and for being that old he sure looks good ! Beautiful cat ! Happy birthday kitty
Jealous.... I so hope my two furrballs will also live in good health to this age! Happy Birthday Rubble!
If it's right, it's amazing and wonderful! But the real question is: what dies he eat? What is his secret????
Beautiful cat. I am so happy for him. He is a grand old gaffer. Handsome too. Happy Birthday Rubble. Makes me happy to see this. My old guy is coming up to 17 this year. Every moment is amazing
Don't say that, even if he can be a pain in the butt, you're gonna miss him when the time comes..
Load More Replies...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.
Load More Replies...My dad had a cat who lived to be 23, and another 17. I hope my baby lives just as long, if not longer!
My Leon is about 14 years old now. I hope he will be with us at least another couple of years Leon_mini-...4a651d.jpg
My cat, lived just for 3.5 years. She was my best friend and I was imagining how I will travel all around the world with her together. But she got really ill, did our best to save her but we couldn't. I think, although she had a short life, it was a happy one for sure! And that's the most important thing, to enjoy every moment of life. And my cat really knew how to do it until the last breath.
I'm so so sorry for your loss. I know how it is, I was the one who brought my cat into the house when he fitted in my palm and I was the one holding him at the vet at the final moment. Still breaks heart although it happened 14 years ago. It's a hole in the heart that nothing can ever fill in.
Load More Replies...My grandfather found an abandoned kitten on some railroad tracks in Scotland, many years ago, staggering home from the pub. He picked the kitten up, put it in his pocket, got home and hung his coat in the closet. Next day, my grandmother went to grab her coat out of the same closet and something grabbed her, it was the kitten. Very tiny, she put him in a box on the counter, went out to the shops, came home and fed tiny kitten pablum and milk with an eyedropper, vet estimated kitten was just a few weeks old. That kitten was named Peter and lived on that corner of the kitchen counter for 27 years. everyone thought gran was going dotty long before she did, because even when she was alone in the kitchen she would be talking away, having entire conversations, turned out she was talking with Peter, not to herself. That cat would nod and look to where she was pointing and carry on like he was actually following the conversation, he provided an old lady many years of comfort.
Beautiful cat, and 30 years... wow... I just lost one of my cats last week, she would've been 13 next month... :(
Happy birthday Rubble... Do s/he get letter from queen? Lol. S/he already 100++ yo in cat year.
When Queen Elizabeth turns 100 in a few years, who will send her a letter? ;-) Amazing woman!
Load More Replies...Happy birthday Rubble. I hope you'll have some more good years ahead
Rubble is a handsome cat! The fact that he has made it to 30 is proof he has been treated well. My kitty is on his tail. She is 27 and going strong. I hope she can look as good as Rubble does on her 30th birthday. So far, her only problem is arthritis in her back leg. Watch out Rubble, you've got competition! fullsizeou...f-jpeg.jpg
I love his colors! So gorgeous. I'm glad they can have this celebration together, and I hope they still have more years to come. Happy birthday, Rubble!
Beautiful story! Our brother and sister cats turned 15 last month. Unfortunately their mom passed at approximately 11 but she was a pregnant stray when she snuck into our house so we don’t know what kind of life she had before us. We have them see the same vet regularly and are indoors only. I think proper care helps their longevity just like humans.
Beautiful cat, it's astonishing that his face isn't turning white yet
I applaud you and your fur-baby. I just lost my 27-year-old cat last week. She had kidney failure which finally did her in. They are definitely family. I keep telling my other cats they need to live as long as Taylor did. God bless them all. Taylor-201...a754c4.jpg
First of all, that cat is CUTE. Second if all, Happy Birthday Rubble! My cat Rub15 years was put to sleep for brain failure a few months ago. May the speed force be with you, Rubble!
So very sorry for your loss. I'm sure you gave your kitty lots of love and care
Load More Replies...An awesome cat, every cat owner knows why the Egyptians worshipped them. I wish you both many more years of happiness together.
I look at him and despite being very happy that she has managed to live a lot, I cry the death of my little one when I was only fifteen. I tried to give him the best life possible, to be present and affectionate, to treat him for every problem he presented, and yet a tumor ripped me away, and I can not manage to make a region, spend days, weeks, months, and I still suffer as if they had ripped a piece of me. I really feel like a bad person thinking about my pain in front of a party for such a beautiful goal, but I can not do anything about it.
i had one cat named AngeI. She adored me as much as I adored her. When I came home from work she setlled in my lap for hours and hours. She lived for 18 years and is now in cat heaven. I miss you Angel.
Rubble was freaking gorgeous as a kitten and still is. The care and love that has been given to this amazing creature is mind blowing. Lovely story.
I think the author of the article added that opinion that he lived so long because he was so cared for.... He does need to be brushed, however, many older cats start neglecting their coats....
NICE to see a person who didn't dump her cat ever! So many people think pets are disposable...so many pets put down or sent to a shelter or kicked out on the streets because the human has to "move", "get married", "have a kid", "my boyfriend doesn't like him", and on and on!!! This woman GETS IT!
How great for you and Rubble ! Happy 30th Birthday ! You must be a great cat owner to take such good care of Rubble.
My poor skinny little Lily is 18 years old. She's arthritic, has a heart problem and thyroid problem. She's part Siamese, so her demanding 'MEOW!' has a certain....abrasiveness about it. I feel sad when I see her ribs but she still purrs when I rub her and she loves sitting in my lap when I fall asleep in the recliner.
Happy birthday dear Rubble.... You are so cute! I hope all animals in this whole wide world die at a very old age
Not that other people don't whose cats don't live as long. I mean lots of love
Load More Replies...I had no idea cats get high Blood Pressure! amazing they discovered this. It is going to hurt a lot when she loses this cat. We lost ours at 18 years old 4 years ago and I still miss him. Good job taking such wonderful care of him Michele.
I've always had adult cats with a history. They never reached an old age.
What a happy story, it gives me hope that my two cats will have a long life. I also treat my furry girls as though they are toddlers, they have filled my life with love and laughter, both beautiful girls were adopted !!!
This is awesome and for being that old he sure looks good ! Beautiful cat ! Happy birthday kitty
Jealous.... I so hope my two furrballs will also live in good health to this age! Happy Birthday Rubble!
If it's right, it's amazing and wonderful! But the real question is: what dies he eat? What is his secret????
Beautiful cat. I am so happy for him. He is a grand old gaffer. Handsome too. Happy Birthday Rubble. Makes me happy to see this. My old guy is coming up to 17 this year. Every moment is amazing
Don't say that, even if he can be a pain in the butt, you're gonna miss him when the time comes..
Load More Replies...
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