“From Shelter to Home: The Heartwarming Tale of Patches the Foodie Cat and Her Furry Matchmaker”

The moment Kay Ford laid her eyes on Patches, she knew she had found her match. It’s no wonder why, with Patches weighing an impressive 40.3 pounds! Kay learned about Patches from her daughter who forwarded a Facebook post from Richmond Animal Care and Control, seeking a loving home for the charming cat. The post humorously asked if anyone woke up that day wanting to adopt the biggest feline they’ve ever seen, and Patches was the perfect fit.

Patches, 40-pound cat

Meet Patches, a charming feline residing at the Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) center whose recent picture on Facebook went viral. The said photo featured an extremely overweight Patches who is currently undergoing a special diet and exercise regimen to attain a healthy weight. Patches’ adoption and intake coordinator, Savannah Hughes, described him as a sweet cat despite his weight issues. He was surrendered by his former owners at RACC because they couldn’t take care of him anymore. Since then, he has garnered massive attention from individuals across the country. However, Kay Ford stood out as Patches’ ideal adopter due to her extensive experience as a pet owner and her unwavering commitment to aiding Patches in his weight loss journey.

Ford with her new friend.

Kay Ford joyfully embraced her latest addition to her furry family, Patches, who recently spent two weeks at RACC. Patches, who is 6 years old and weighs 40.3 pounds, was introduced to his new siblings, Bella, a 13-year-old Yorkie, and Wellesley, a 2-year-old cat that bears a striking resemblance to Patches but with smaller markings. However, Bella showed zero interest in Patches on their initial meeting, while Wellesley seems to be struggling more with adjusting to the new furball. Nonetheless, Ford has high hopes that with time, they will all become great friends.

Patches and his new siblings.

Kay Ford is determined to help her new pet, Patches, lose weight. She acknowledges that this is a challenging task, but she is up for it. One question people are asking is how Patches got so big. According to Ford, his previous owners gave him too many treats. However, Patches has a veterinarian who managed his health before, and Ford will share his records with the new doctor when they visit next week. Getting Patches to exercise regularly won’t be easy since he prefers to walk at his own pace and takes frequent breaks. But Ford believes that taking small steps can make a significant difference. Even though Patches is a large dog, he doesn’t eat excessively, so Ford’s focus is on ensuring that he eats well.

Snuggles!

Patches is on track for a promising future after adjusting to his new home. His owner, Kay Ford, has set up a Facebook page where she documents his progress in losing weight and experiencing new exciting adventures. In just a week, over 5,000 followers have already shown interest in Patches’ journey. Ford is committed to helping Patches achieve a healthier lifestyle and can’t wait to see his animated personality come to life as he sheds off the extra pounds. While Chrissy Callahan writes about a wide range of topics for TODAY.com, she enjoys traveling, watching reality TV, and indulging in copious amounts of cookie dough during her leisure time.