According to Guinness World Records, Flossie is the oldest living cat in the world at approximately 27 years old, which is the feline equivalent of 120 human years. According to a news release, the British brown and black cat gained formal accreditation from Guinness World Records on Thursday at the age-breaking record of 26 years and 329 days. Despite being deaf and blind, she is allegedly in good health.
“I knew from the start that Flossie was a special cat, but I didn’t imagine I’d share my home with a world record holder,” said owner Vicki Green, who adopted her after the elderly pet was handed into UK cat welfare charity Cats Protection in August.
“She’s so affectionate and playful, especially sweet when you remember how old she is. I’m immensely proud that Cats Protection matched me with such an amazing cat,” she added.
Since spending her first few months of life in 1995 as a stray kitten outside Merseyside hospital in Liverpool, northwest England, Flossie has lived in several homes.
Before her owner passed away, she spent ten years living with a hospital employee who had adopted her. The sister of Flossie’s previous owner took her in. 14 years later, her second owner passed away. She spent the next three years with the kid of her second owner before being given to volunteers at Cats Protection. At that point, rumors about her astonishing age started to circulate and the search to verify her record began.
“We were flabbergasted when we saw that Flossie’s vet records showed her to be 27 years old,” said Naomi Rosling, the charity’s branch coordinator, in the release.
Most cat owners choose to adopt younger cats
According to the release, most cat owners choose to adopt a much younger cat because senior pets frequently spend their final years in shelters. Green said, “I’ve always wanted to give older cats a comfortable later life.” She hopes Flossie’s tale will inspire prospective cat owners to create a sanctuary for senior cats.
Crème Puff, the oldest cat known to live, was 38 years and 3 days old
Crème Puff, the oldest cat known to live, was 38 years and 3 days old.