A cat in the UK has reportedly celebrated her 30th birthday, placing her among the oldest cats in the world. Millie, who lives in Stockport, Greater Manchester, was born in 1995. If confirmed, she would be close in age to the oldest cats ever recorded.
Millie’s owner, 70-year-old Leslie Greenhough, marked the milestone with a birthday cake featuring Millie’s face. Leslie told the Manchester Evening News that the celebration was “a fantastic day” and “such an achievement.” He added that on the hot day of the party, Millie enjoyed licking the cream off the cake.
Millie originally belonged to Leslie’s late wife, Paula, who passed away in 2020. Leslie met Paula through an online dating site in 2012 and first heard Millie during their early calls. The couple got engaged in 2013 and married in 2014, making Millie an important part of Leslie’s life.
Millie started as an outdoor cat but was moved indoors after being bullied by other cats. Leslie credits her long life to daily treats, plenty of cuddles, and drinking Buxton bottled water. Millie’s diet includes prawns, salmon, chicken, and tuna.
Her daily routine includes playful moments with Leslie, followed by resting in sunny spots, often sitting on his knee or the back of the couch.
Leslie hopes to have Millie recognized by Guinness World Records but faces challenges proving her exact age. The current record holder is Flossie, another UK cat born in December 1995.
Leslie said Paula’s death was hard on Millie, who initially refused to eat after losing her owner. “It was incredibly difficult on both of us,” he said. “Millie and I had bonded before Paula died. She would sit on my lap, and my wife said she could see how much the cat loved me.”
He added, “I think Millie knew my wife wasn’t well. At first, Millie wouldn’t eat anything. I gave her prawns and chicken, but over time, she returned to eating cat food.”
Despite her advanced age, Millie behaves like any other cat. Leslie said, “Millie likes to do her own thing. I find her asleep behind the sofa or in my bed. Sometimes she plays in the garden — a cat is a cat, really.”
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