Britain’s oldest cat is finally getting the quiet retirement he deserves, after he was found dumped at a feline rehoming centre.
The owners of pension-aged puss Banjo may not have realised they had a potential record holder living with them when they abandoned him on a pet rescue centre’s doorstep on September 4th.
Even workers at RSPCA Southall Cattery in west London had a shock when they discovered their new resident was first microchipped in 1991 at two years old – making him 27 – or 125 in human years.
The mysterious moggy’s background is unknown – apart from the fact he’s travelled over 24 miles in his near three decades as his chip states he was first registered in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
Centre manager Beverly Leavy said: “Banjo must have used up all of his nine lives by now.
“He is such a charming sweet old man, he is eating well and enjoying life in the cattery.
“He takes everything in his stride and has won all of us over.
“It’s amazing to think he was born decades ago – we think he must be the oldest rescue cat in the count.”
The cattery have a responsibility to contact the owners on the chip by telephone and letter, and wait 16 days for a reply, but they heard nothing.
Despite his old age, Banjo has already been snapped up and has a new home waiting for him if he remains unclaimed.
Michelle Do Carmo, Clinic Manager, said: “Obviously he was microchipped so we contacted the owners and couldn’t get hold of them, so he should be going to a new home at the end of the month.
“For older cats we look for a quiet home where they can relax and enjoy his retirement – somewhere a bit more chilled out and quiet.
“Even for his age, it’s amazing how well he looks. He has no health problems. Vets have checked him over and most of his teeth are gone though.
Staff at the cattery are baffled as to why anyone would abandon a cat at that late stage in their life.
Michelle said: “It could be a number of reasons, as everyone has got different backgrounds.
“Most of the time it’s money issues or they’ve got evicted or are moving home.”
Aneel Odhwani, animal care assistant, has been taking care of Banjo in his new home – which currently houses over 80 cats – and hopes he’ll break a new world record.
He said: “He’s friendly and laid back, very undemanding. He loves his food and he loves being groomed. The ideal cat to rehome.
“I’ve put an application in to the Guinness Book of World Records, as from what I’ve Googled, he’s the oldest living cat in the UK and we’re hoping he’s the oldest cat in a rehoming centre in the world.
“I know the oldest cat in a rehoming centre is 24 years old so he could well beat it!
“We’ve had people asking on our Facebook page, ‘how do you know old old he is? Because he looks so young!’
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him, he doesn’t even seem to be arthritic.
“We don’t even know if the owners know his real age, he could have any story.”
Cat’s needs change as they get older so the RSPCA would always suggest getting advice from a vet or behaviourist when taking on an older cat.
Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “It’s a great achievement for Banjo to be (at least) 25 years and still healthy.
“It goes to show that elderly cats shouldn’t be overlooked; they still have a lot of life in them and a lot of love to give.”
The RSPCA are now appealing for Banjo’s owners to come forward. The number for the cattery is 0300 123 0746.
If no owner comes forward Banjo already has a new home lined up to go to.
