Cat breaks record with world’s loudest purr
Bella's astonishing vocals often meant her family had to turn the TV up to hear over her.
A fourteen-year-old cat has broken a Guinness World Record, by performing the world’s loudest purr.
Bella, a moggie from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, recorded a purr of 54.6 decibels, which is as loud as a boiling kettle.
Her owner, Nicole Spink, always knew that Bella’s purr was very loud. Her astonishing vocals often meant her family had to turn the TV up to hear over her, and a recording on Nicole’s phone suggested that she may be a record-breaking kitty.
However, it required a Guinness World Record adjudicator’s assessment to discover if Bella could be awarded the prestigious title.
Official adjudicator Dave Wilson arrived at Bella’s house, along with an acoustic engineer, to settle whether her purrings were pitch perfect. The team blocked out all external sound, set up the recording equipment, and waited patiently beside Bella’s favourite cushion for her performance.
During her record attempt Bella performed purr-fectly, recording an astonishing 54.6 db on the decibel meter.
In a low-key ceremony, she was awarded with an official certificate for the world’s loudest purr by a domestic cat (living), and a place in the feline history books.
Speaking proudly of Bella’s prominent purring, Nicole said: “We’ve always known Bella had a really loud purr – we even have to turn up the volume to hear the TV over her purring – and that’s always after mealtimes.
“So, when we saw that the record for the World’s Loudest Purr was up for grabs, we knew we had to put Bella forward, and we’re so pleased we did!
“I couldn’t be more thrilled that Bella has broken the world record. She has been our family’s companion for many years - we love her to bits and are so proud of her achievement.”
Official adjudicator Dave Wilson said: “It’s always an exciting day when there is the potential for a new world record so we waited in anticipation to see whether Bella would be able to do it. We set up the recording devices and Bella then settled down on her favourite cushion and began to purr.
“The results were immediately obvious – Bella had broken the record for world’s loudest purr!”
Image © Guinness World Records/Whiskas
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
