The adoptive parents of an elderly cat abandoned by his former owner say they are committed to seeing their beloved feline spend his last days in comfort.

Twenty-two-year-old kitty “Tigger” was abandoned by his previous owner at Maryland animal hospital in 2014, TODAY US reports .

After hearing of the ageing cat’s plight, Baltimore couple Adriene Buisch and Michael Trentadue paid a visit to the facility.

Upon glimpsing the "skinny, matted” cat, Ms Buisch said she and Mr Trentadue immediately decided in favour of adoption.

"We figured we might as well give an old cat a comfy home for his remaining life while seeing how (our other cat) Stuart does with another cat,” Ms Buisch said.

Tigger's three-meat birthday "cake"; Tigger taking a nap. (Facebook/Tigger's Story- The 22 yr. Old Cat & His Bucket List)

The happy development however was marred by the subsequent discovery that Tigger was suffering from irreversible kidney failure and had a large tumour on his belly.

While Tigger’s new family have been able to manage his kidney condition with a special diet and medicine, the cat is in a frail condition and could die at any time.

Ms Buisch and Mr Trentadue said this fact inspired them to compile a bucket list of fun activities for the cat to complete.

Posts to Tigger’s official Facebook page show Tigger participating in a creative photoshoot and a pet contest, as well as appearing in a TV news segment.

Tigger’s story has drawn attention from Facebook users the world over, many of whom have sent cards or packages of gifts in support.

On November 19, Ms Buisch and Mr Trentadue marked Tigger’s 22nd birthday with a three-meat “cake”.

Cats typically live for 15 years. The oldest cat on record was Texan feline Creme Puff, who died in August 2005 at an age more than twice that — 38.