33-Pound Cat Finally Finds Sweet Forever Home and Begins Weight Loss Journey
The topic of weight can be tricky. It goes without saying that each one of us deserves to weigh whatever we’d like without fear of ridicule.
Indeed, what’s most important is feeling comfortable and accepted in our own skin. Often, that general peace of mind can be greatly bolstered by the people who love us without fail.
Sometimes, however, these caring folks might remind us that fitness isn’t merely about looking a certain way. Medical research continues to show that excess weight can lead to an assortment of worrisome health ailments and physical challenges.
Just ask a cute ginger kitty named Bronson. At the tender age of three, he found himself abandoned at the West Michigan Humane Society in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He also found himself tipping the scales in a rather exorbitant way. The thing is, sweet Bronson was nearly twice the size of an average feline.
According to petobesityprevention.org, the average domestic cat weighs somewhere between eight and 10 pounds. Bronson, in stark contrast, weighed approximately 33 pounds.
That means Bronson’s fuzzy tummy measured roughly 32 inches around. As you might guess, this made it pretty difficult for the stout mouser to play or even pad across the room comfortably.
Thankfully, Bronson was spotted by Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman shortly after he’d arrived at the shelter. According to The Dodo, they’d actually been looking for a new kitten — but it was sort of impossible to overlook Bronson.
“When we first saw him, we were shocked at how big he was,” Wilson told The Dodo. But Wilson also recalled that the cat appeared appealingly “cute and cuddly,” likening Bronson to an adorable snuggly stuffed animal.
Shelter volunteers explained that this particular portly pet may have been overfed by his previous elderly owner. That owner’s passing is what eventually landed Bronson at the humane society.
Wilson and Hanneman needed to leave for work before they could meet Bronson in person. But they couldn’t stop thinking about this cute and corpulent kitty.
So they rushed back to see Bronson the following morning and were waiting when the shelter unlocked its front door. They were told that the young cat had become a bit of a loner since he’d arrived.
The captivated couple decided to change all that immediately. They realized that Bronson’s increased size put him at risk for a host of health complications, and wanted to give him a “fur”-ever family of his own.
They instantly discovered that Bronson was actually aching for sustained affection. He was also rather unkempt because his large size made it almost impossible for the cat to groom himself consistently.
“I just wanted to take him home, clean him up and care for him,” Wilson said. And once Bronson was comfortably settled, it didn’t take long for the shy, orange-striped feline to begin emerging from his shell.
These days, Bronson is on a healthy eating regimen designed to help streamline his fluffy form. He also romps with his toys and enjoys plenty of playtime with his two kitty siblings.
In terms of an update, Wilson explains that Bronson’s weight loss journey has been quite successful so far. “We can already see a change in his shape, where he has a lot more definition in his arms and shoulders.”
The happy cat can now hop off the couch unassisted, and he’s shed enough weight to take his flea and tick medicine safely. He’s like a minor celebrity wherever he goes, and the future is looking brighter every day.
“His life is going to look much different a year from now,” Wilson adds. For regular updates, just visit Bronson’s personal Facebook or Instagram page.
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