Alice Springs cat, Garfield the shoulder riding cat out of the vet, looking forward to 27th birthday

A Red Centre feline, who has an unusual form of transport, is back out in the community and is gearing up for a significant milestone in his life – his 27th birthday.

Jacky Scott with Garfield. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A Red Centre feline, who has an unusual form of transport, is back out in the community and is gearing up for a significant milestone in his life.

Garfield the shoulder riding cat was recently admitted to vet, but is now back out in the community and is gearing up to celebrate his 27th birthday next year.

Garfield the cat at the vet.

Garfield at Christmas. Picture: Jacky Scott

Garfield's owner, 81-year-old Jacky Scott, said her beloved feline was admitted to the vet for bowel related issues and was released on Monday, June 24.

Ms Scott called Garfield a “strange one” who didn’t like lasagne when it was offered to him, instead preferring kangaroo meat.

Garfield used to love kangaroo steaks, Ms Scott said, but added he’d moved on to Kangaroo mince in his old age.

Ms Scott adopted Garfield when he was three years old and has looked after him ever since.

He once fell off a fence and damaged his back, Ms Scott said.

Garfield is frequently spotted around the Alice Springs community on Ms Scott’s shoulder and is loved by clinic staff when he visits.

“When I go to the clinic or I go to the shop, if I took him for a little walk, he’d be on my shoulder,” she said.

“He’s never been in carrier because he was too heavy for me to carry.

“He eats an awful lot.”