Still purring strong at 23

The Himalayas are home to a variety of animals and breeds which are unique to high altitudes, and which makes one wonder if there is a secret in the rarefied air there that may have resulted in one local family owning the region’s – if not the nation’s – oldest living cat. Or is it the crisp air of mountains closer to home? Kristine Thomson has the story. Meatasaurus is surely Strathbogie’s oldest cat. Not many moggies can claim to be a local legend, but Meatasaurus - a striking Himalayan breed with a regal white and grey coat - has done just that. At an incredible 23 years old, she may well be the oldest cat in Strathbogie Shire, maybe Australia. Meatasaurus’ story began in 2002, when she was purchased as a kitten from a Shepparton pet store for my husband Tyson when we lived near a Domino’s Pizza shop. In a lighthearted moment of inspiration, she was named ‘Meatasaurus’ after the famous meat-laden pizza much to everyone’s initial horror. The name stuck, and so began the life of one very memorable feline who soon found itself in another home, when shortly after joining the family, circumstances changed as her owners moved to Western Australia to work on the mines. Not wanting Meatasaurus to live in a high-traffic area where she couldn't roam safely, the couple entrusted her to Tyson’s Strathbogie family farm with the owner's mother - a lifelong cat lover who came from a family of equally devoted feline enthusiasts. The farm became Meatasaurus' kingdom. Though she lived an indoor life, she was never short on affection and over the years received regular grooming, vet checkups, and the kind of constant love that makes a house a home or in this case, a very pampered palace. Recently, during a routine visit to the vet for her usual haircut and health check, the family received surprising news. Meatasaurus is believed to be the oldest cat currently registered in the Shire, possibly the oldest on record. It is a distinction that reflects not just the luck of genetics, but the exceptional care and attention she has received for over two decades. It is clear that the Strathbogie air, good food, and lots of love have kept her going. She might move a bit slower now, but she’s still got that same spark in her eyes. As Meatasaurus enters the twilight of her long and cherished life, her story is testament to the bond between humans and animals, and how a little cat with a big name can become part of a family legacy.