Rescue Cat Sets Record for Loudest Purr

Merlin, a 13-year-old rescue cat who lives in the U.K., took the Guinness World Record for the loudest purr by a domestic cat when he reached 67.8 decibels during a recent filming of a British TV show. He squeaked by the previous record holder, Smokey, who registered a 67.68 decibel purr in 2011. “Occasionally when he’s really loud I have to repeat myself,” said Merlin’s owner, Tracy Westwood. “When you’re watching films you have to turn the telly up or put him out of the room, if he’s eating he’ll purr loudly. I can hear him when I’m drying my hair.” Merlin’s purr was described as being as noisy as a conversation or an air conditioner. Westwood says he’s at his loudest when he’s cleaning himself or eating. — Read it at Guinness World Records