A much-loved moggy owned by a British old-age pensioner could soon be crowned the oldest cat in the world.
Rosie, a fluffy tortoise-shell, will celebrate her 32nd birthday on June 1 with proud owner Lila Brissett, 72, who took her in as a kitten in 1991.
Lila is now being encouraged to contact officials from the Guinness Book of Records to confirm Rosie as the world’s oldest moggy.
The current holder is a youthful 27-year-old cat called Flossie from Kent.
Rosie, who is 144 in human years, has only ever visited the vet twice and has no plans on giving up on the quiet life she shares with Lila.
She’s now eyeing up her 32nd birthday, when she will get a birthday party and cards, as always from her loving neighbors.
Lila, a retired housewife from Norwich, Norfolk, said: “This beautiful thing was handed to me in a cane basket as a kitten in 1991, and the rest is history.
“She’s only been to the vet twice in her life. Once to be spayed in the 90s and five years ago to get antibiotics for a cyst on her head.
“She’s quite a character. She’s still got all her teeth.”
Lila was approached by a cat rescue woman in the 90s with Rosie as a kitten, who needed rehoming after her first household realized their daughter was allergic.
Lila, widowed, had previously rescued an abused cat and a stray dog so happily welcomed Rosie into her home.
Rosie is a cross between a ginger tom and a ragdoll, giving her a gloriously fluffy tail.
She lives permanently indoors with Lila in her ground-floor flat and gets fed Purina One cat food daily “or she’ll kick up a fuss.”
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, which lists world records both of human achievements and the extremes of the natural world, the oldest cat alive currently on record is 27.
Flossie, was born on Dec. 29, 1995, as verified in Orpington, UK, on 10 November 2022.
It added that the oldest cat ever is Creme Puff of Austin, Texas, who was born on August 3, 1967 and lived until August 6, 2005 – 38 years and three days.
When asked why she thought Rosie had lived to such a ripe old age, Lila said: “You tell me! Care and attention? Good food? I don’t know.
“All my animals seem to live to a good age.
“Rosie sleeps by the window all day and, like clockwork, she will have some food and use the litter tray.
“There’s no need for an alarm clock. All she does is eat, sleep, use the litter tray and repeat.
“I often have to check if she’s still alive and breathing. I’m worried about the day she crosses over the rainbow bridge. She’ll leave a big void.
“I’ll miss her when she goes. But I’ll never have her put down.”
A spokesperson from the Guinness Book of World Records said: “We would encourage Lila to make an application for Rosie via the Guinness World Records website for our Records Management Team to review.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
