Getting insurance on a 19 year old cat with a bad heart and malfunctioning thyroid might prove expensive MB.
Just shave a few years off, and say you lost her birth certificate. As for the thyroid, just say she's laid back sort of cat and a bit on the lazy side.
Unfortunately, I'm allergic to cats and dogs hair, MB, but I wouldn't have a pet anyway, as I'm not usually here all day, and I wouldn't want the additional responsibility.
Fair enough Simon, that is the responsible thing to do. People who get a pet, and then just leave them to fend for themselves, really gets up my nose. If I wasn't at home as much as I am, I would definitely get another kitten to keep this one company, she'd probably try and kill it, but at least she'd have something to do.