“He began out in our cat room with our bigger cat cages, however he was so massive that he barely had room to maneuver round,” Younger stated. “So, he stayed in my workplace with me.”
Shelter workers shared Patches’ story on social media on April 19, together with a photograph that options his balloon-like stomach, hoping to get him adopted shortly. Animals that require further consideration and care are generally more durable to put, however Younger quickly discovered that there was one thing about Patches that touched folks.
“I began receiving fast emails from folks desirous to undertake him,” Younger stated.
That very same day, Kay Ford — who doesn’t stay removed from the shelter — acquired a textual content from her daughter: “That is your second.”
The textual content was accompanied by the Fb submit, which described Patches as having a “gloriously gluttonous physique.”
Ford knew her daughter was proper. Patches was excellent for her.
“I’d love to assist that cat out,” Ford, a retired enterprise proprietor in Richmond, recalled considering to herself. “I’m the form of cat father or mother that will do what I wanted to do.”
She had needed to undertake one other obese cat from Pennsylvania three years in the past, however she didn’t act quick sufficient. Her daughter remembered the near-adoption, so she considered Ford when she got here throughout the submit about Patches.
“I’ve had cats all my life,” stated Ford, who has 2-year-old rescue cat named Wellesley, in addition to a canine, a 13-year-old Yorkie named Bella. “It simply appeared like the best factor.”
The shelter’s Fb submit was already inundated with a whole lot of feedback and shares, so Ford knew she wanted to maneuver shortly. She wrote an electronic mail to workers on the shelter, detailing why she can be the proper pet father or mother for Patches.
“I’m very versatile, retired, dwelling so much, and I’m keen to dedicate the time and sources to assist Patches obtain the objective that you just all set,” Ford wrote.
“Patches really could possibly be a beautiful inspiration for me. Maybe we are able to do the weight-loss journey collectively,” she continued. “I’m not unhealthily obese, however I gained 20 kilos over the pandemic that I’d like to shed.”
Younger, who was overwhelmed with responses to the Fb submit, stated Ford’s candy electronic mail stood out among the many relaxation.
“As cute as Patches is, in the long run, we needed an adopter that was going to vary his life for the higher, and maintain his well being,” Younger stated.
A veterinarian on the shelter ran exams and bloodwork to test for any underlying points, comparable to a thyroid downside or diabetes, that may clarify the cat’s irregular weight. All the things got here again regular.
The vet’s conclusion: “He must go on a weight reduction plan and train plan,” Younger stated.
After sifting via emails from potential adopters, workers replied to Ford.
“We thought that she can be the most effective match,” Younger stated, including that she requested Ford if she was out there for a meet-and-greet later that day.
She ship again a direct “sure,” and was excited to satisfy him. Nonetheless, she was not ready for Patches’ girth and greatness.
“I remorse a lot that I had not had the presence of thoughts to have my digicam open and take an image of him as I walked across the nook, as a result of it was awe-inspiring,” Ford stated. “He was on his facet and his teeny, little legs have been sticking up, and also you noticed his massive abdomen.”
“He’s so massive,” she continued. “Footage actually don’t do it justice.”
She felt a connection instantly.
“I instantly sat down, and he simply began purring,” Ford stated. “He’s the sweetest factor.”
After a dialogue with the vet about Patches’s distinctive wants and weight-loss routine, Ford signed the paperwork and made the adoption official. She introduced Patches dwelling that afternoon.
“I can see in his eyes that there’s a vibrant, fantastic, superb character in there,” Ford stated. “I can’t await him to have the ability to absolutely shine when he’s dropped a number of the kilos.”
Ford booked an appointment together with her vet for Tuesday to give you a extra complete well being plan for Patches, which might embody prescription meals, she stated. In the intervening time, he’s persevering with the particular weight-reduction plan he was placed on on the shelter, and Ford encourages him to train as a lot as potential by waiving string toys in entrance of him.
“He’s so heavy proper now that something extra than simply strolling is tough,” Ford stated, including that she is “taking it sluggish” to stop any accidents.
So far as his weight reduction goes, although, “I’m taking this extremely critically,” she stated. “That is just the start. I can’t wait to see his transformation.”
Ford can also be wanting ahead to her personal transformation. She meant what she stated in her electronic mail to the shelter about her private weight reduction ambitions.
“If ever there was a time to do it, now could be the time,” stated Ford, who created a Facebook page for Patches, to trace his weight reduction progress. Within the first few days, the web page already has greater than 8,000 followers.
Ford wrote that she’s glad folks will probably be with Patches on his journey “from Loveable Honkin’ Chonk to Match and Fabulous Feline,” and likewise requested from her followers, “should you’re going to submit please be good.”
It seems, Ford isn’t the one one who’s motivated by Patches. A number of folks commented on the Fb web page, saying issues like “we’re on this collectively” and “I’m going to hitch you Patches!”
“So many individuals appear to search out this as inspiration for their very own course of,” Ford stated.
“My 23 pound lady Greta Mae and I will probably be cheering you on, Patches!” one particular person commented, sharing a photograph of their cat. “Joyful to comply with your journey! We try right here too.”
Ford hopes Patches’s story underscores “the facility of adoption” — each for animals in want of a house, and their people.
“What else on the planet is on the market that provides you the unconditional love of a pet?” stated Ford. “Nothing.”
