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 pensioner 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 country.”
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, but when we tried to contact the owners we 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 their retirement – somewhere a bit more chilled out and quiet.
The RSPCA are now appealing for Banjo’s owners to come forward. The number for the cattery is 0300 123 0746.
