Cat’s out of the bag: turning 21 is the cat’s whiskers for Bluey

He loves sitting on his Mustang and eating with his paws — now Bluey, Queensland’s oldest rescue moggy, has turned 21.

Blue, the oldest rescue cat, marked his 21st with velvet cupcakes, candles and a photo shoot. Picture: Annette Dew

Brisbane’s oldest rescue cat, Bluey, is celebrating his 21st birthday — a milestone even felines with nine lives rarely reach.

The Ragdoll cross, who now holds the title of Queensland’s oldest rescue cat, marked the occasion with cupcakes, candles, and a regal pose, captured perfectly by his owner, veteran photojournalist Annette Dew.

Bluey’s life began with a lucky rescue at the RSPCA more than two decades ago.

Dew adopted him for her son Ryan’s fourth birthday, wrapping the kitten in a brown paper McDonald’s bag alongside a Happy Meal.

“You should have seen how happy he was to have such a beautiful cat and a Happy Meal,” Dew recalled. Ryan is now 25.

“We named him Bluey after his intense blue eyes,” she said.

Now in his 22nd year, Bluey remains active, affectionate, and full of character.

“He hears my Mustang roaring up the road and meets me at the car every day like clockwork,” Dew said.

“I have to be careful when I walk to the shops because he’ll try to follow.”

Despite his age, Bluey is still agile and social.

“He eats off his paws like a human,” she added.

Dew’s connection with Bluey was instant.

Happy 21st, Bluey. You’ve earned every cat nap. Picture: Annette Dew

“When I saw him at the RSPCA, I asked what such a beautiful cat was doing there,” she said.

“They told me no one could catch him.

“I reached in, picked him up and he put his paws around my neck.

“I let go and he clung on. I said, ‘What do you think about that?’ and the lady said, ‘I think that’s your cat.’ And so he’s been with us for over 21 years.”

Bluey’s extraordinary longevity has even caught the attention of the RSPCA.

A spokesperson said: “21 is certainly rare and a great innings! I don’t believe we know of any other felines that are older currently. Bluey is one of the oldest rescue cat record holders that we know of.”

Bluey was given the oldest accolade after the recent passing of Pepper, who was lovingly owned and cared for by RSPCA vet Dr Olivia Pozzana.

“Pepper was very special to me and I still miss him terribly,” Dr Pozzana said.

Though there’s no official registry for the state’s oldest cat, Bluey’s long and loving life is being celebrated as a rare achievement in feline care, companionship, and a testament to the bond between rescued animals and their humans.

As for Bluey, he’s taking the attention in his stride with just another reason to lounge in the limelight watching the candles flicker on his red velvet birthday cupcakes.

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Originally published as Cat’s out of the bag: turning 21 is the cat’s whiskers for Bluey