‘He’s missed’: Alice Springs own Garfield put down due to old age

A well loved figure in the community, the new year saw Alice’s favourite shoulder riding cat take a turn for worst.

Jacky Scott with Garfield. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A much loved shoulder-riding cat in Alice Springs has unfortunately not made it to a significant milestone in his life this year.

On Monday, February 3, Garfield was put to sleep as he was “in pain” for weeks, owner Jacky Scott said.

This year Garfield was going to turn 27, however, come January, he “just went downhill,” Ms Scott said.

Garfield the shoulder riding cat celebrating Christmas. Picture: Jacky Scott

Ms Scott said Garfield could no longer walk, and she was carrying him outside every morning and evening.

Garfield was well-known in Alice Springs, as he would frequently be spotted around town perched on Ms Scott’s shoulder. 

Despite bearing the same name as a famous cartoon cat, Ms Scott said Garfield wasn’t too keen on lasagne – instead preferring kangaroo meat.

“He was a good little fighter,” Ms Scott said.

“He’s missed.”

Ms Scott is well known in the Alice Springs community for sacrificing her time to pick up injured animals before starting work and take them to the vet.

In 2015, her selfless actions earned her a nomination for a pride of Australia medal.

According to Guiness World Records, the oldest living cat is the UK’s Flossie (born 29 December 1995) who is more than 30 years old.

Records also show the cat that lived the longest life was Creme Puff from Texas, USA, who was born on August 3, 1967 and lived until August 6, 2005 - 38 years and 3 days.