Having your very best furry friend by your side all the time is something everyone dreams of. Michele Foster is truly one lucky woman.

She first got Rubble, who is now a 31-year old kitty from Exeter, England, as a gift for her 20th birthday way back in May of 1988.

Michele states: ‘It was just before my 20th birthday when I got him. He was part of a litter cat that my sister’s friend had and I had just left home. I was lonely living on my own so got him in as a kitten. It was in May 1988.’

She believes his longevity is due, in part, to a whole lot of love and pampering.

Rubble has been relatively healthy right alone, however, he does currently have high blood pressure.Dr. Shawn Moore of City Vets, who takes excellent care of his health, states:

“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.”

His official status as the oldest cat in the world has yet to be confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records. Michele goes on to explain:

“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 average of house cats lives approximately 15-20 years, and an outdoor cat lives a low average of only 2-9 years.