A cat who was unwanted as a kitten because she was considered the runt of the litter, is set to turn 22 this month– the equivalent of 104 in human years.

Milly, who is owned by Gillian and Graham Gunn of Badgers Mount, near Sevenoaks, marked the approaching milestone at Mark Nelson Vets in Westerham, where she is a popular patient with the practice staff.

Milly hasn’t reached a grand old age without using up some of her nine lives, and when she was still a kitten, she had to be rescued from the top of an oak tree by the fire brigade.

Then, in February this year, Milly underwent surgery at Mark Nelson Vets to remove a benign lump from her neck that had become infected.

The team at Mark Nelson Vets is seeing more and more cats living to a grand age, but Milly is the oldest cat registered at the practice.

Veterinary nurse Emma Willis helped care for Millie after her operation and said the cat is “truly amazing”.

Ms Willis said: “Pets are living longer, thanks to advances in veterinary care, but the average age for a domestic cat is still only around 16 so Milly has beaten the odds to reach 22. She could even be the oldest cat in Kent.

"Everyone at the practice loves seeing her when she comes in for treatment or a health check, and it is a real pleasure to have been involved in keeping her happy and healthy in her twilight years.”

Owner Gillian Gunn said she believes Milly’s longevity is due to her happy disposition, a healthy diet and regular health checks at the vets.

She and Milly have been together since October 1999 when she popped into a pet store to buy some rabbit food and spotted a lonely, eight-week-old kitten.

Mrs Gunn said: “I heard a sad miaowing and there was this tiny black kitten all on her own. The shop assistant said Milly’s brothers and sisters had been sold and nobody wanted her because she was the runt of the litter.

"I couldn’t bear to leave her there, so I took her home - along with my bag of rabbit food – and named her Milly because we were approaching the new millennium.

“She is a such a friendly and loyal cat and we are so lucky that she’s been part of our family for all these years."

Milly spends more time sleeping now she’s older, but still has moments where she’ll jump off the sofa and race around the house.

Mrs Gunn said: “Milly is still full of beans and has a healthy appetite. Her favourite treat is prawns, and I’ll be serving some up for her special day. I don’t know the exact date Milly was born, but I know it was August because she was eight-weeks-old when I got her – I like to say it’s August 22nd, because that’s my birthday and we can share our special day.”

Have you got a cat like Milly who could be the next Kent Pets next champion? Enter them by emailing mcarr@thekmgroup.co.uk

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