She'll Leave a Big Void": World's Oldest Cat, Rosie, Dies at 33

Rosie, the fluffy tortoiseshell cat believed to be the world’s oldest, passed away at the age of 33 in Norwich, UK. According to a report, her owner, Lila Brisset, recently bid farewell to her beloved pet, who held the unofficial title of the world's oldest cat. The current official record holder is Flossie, a 28-year-old cat from Kent. Rosie, born in 1991, reached the remarkable age of 33, the equivalent of 152 in human years, before peacefully passing away.

Lila, who adopted Rosie as a kitten, shared her grief over the loss: "I miss her so much. She wasn't very well, and one day she just walked into the hallway of the house, laid down and passed away. There were lots of good memories though, and I'm happy we had our time together."

For the last years of her life, Rosie had given up outdoor activities, preferring to rest by the window. Lila, a widow who had previously rescued other animals, stepped in to adopt Rosie after the original family realized their daughter was allergic.

"She's quite a character," Lila had said in a previous interview. "Rosie sleeps by the window all day and, like clockwork, she will have some food and use the litter tray." Lila continued, "There's no need for an alarm clock. All she does is eat, sleep, use the litter tray, and repeat. I often have to check if she's still alive and breathing... I'll miss her when she goes. But I'll never have her put down."

Rosie’s passing marks the end of an era for her owner, though her legacy as a beloved and long-lived companion will remain.

Currently, Creme Puff from Austin, Texas, holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest cat, having lived 38 years and 3 days from 1967 to 2005.