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Owner Got A Cat In 1988, Probably Did Not Expect To Throw Him A Birthday Party 30 Years Later
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Owner Got A Cat In 1988, Probably Did Not Expect To Throw Him A Birthday Party 30 Years Later

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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.”

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“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!

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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”

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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

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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

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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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Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

Read less »
Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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Laugh Fan
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

LOttawa
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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Erin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad had a cat who lived to be 23, and another 17. I hope my baby lives just as long, if not longer!

LOttawa
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A free check up for birthday... I'd be miserable too, lol... But he is handsome.

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Laugh Fan
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

LOttawa
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
Erin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad had a cat who lived to be 23, and another 17. I hope my baby lives just as long, if not longer!

LOttawa
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A free check up for birthday... I'd be miserable too, lol... But he is handsome.

Load More Comments
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