Introducing Wilford, a lovable 8-year-old feline tipping the scales at 28 pounds, who has captured the hearts of everyone he meets. This chubby cat found his way to a local rescue organization in search of a fresh start. Sadly, his previous owner could no longer care for him, leaving Wilford dirty, severely overweight, and in need of some TLC. Thankfully, the compassionate folks at Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation stepped in to give Wilford a second chance. Now, our big-hearted boy is in the care of Pokey Pot Pie, where he is receiving the love and medical attention he deserves on his journey to achieving a healthier weight. Get ready to fall in love with Wilford, a larger-than-life cat with an even larger personality! Follow his adventures on Instagram for more heartwarming moments.
“Wilford came to stay with us as a foster pet in late December, courtesy of Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. His previous owner surrendered him to a shelter in rural Virginia,” said Jen, Wilford’s now caregiver, to Bored Panda. When he first arrived at his foster home, Wilford was having trouble eating due to the stress and overwhelming changes in his life. Jen explained, “On top of being overweight, he had severe matting and his fur was in poor condition. We had to shave him down, which is why he may look a bit scruffy in some photos.” The transition to a new environment after being surrendered by his previous owner was not an easy one for Wilford.
Image courtesy: pokeypotpie
Just like any other cat, Wilford had a tough time adjusting to his new surroundings. His caregivers mentioned that he needed time to adapt to a different home, schedule, people, and even other feline companions. Jen, one of his caretakers, shared with Bored Panda that Wilford initially struggled a lot. Moving to a new place can be challenging for any cat, and Wilford was no exception. He was dealing with the loss of his old family, home, and daily routine. In his new environment, everything was unfamiliar – new faces, scents, sounds, and the presence of other cats.
Apart from battling obesity, Wilford also had various other health issues.
Image credits: pokeypotpie
When Wilford’s foster parents took him to the veterinarian, they discovered that the adorable cat was dealing with asthma and a mild upper respiratory infection. He required multiple visits to the vet for treatment until his condition improved. “Although Wilford needs to shed some pounds, it’s important for cats, especially severely overweight ones, to lose weight gradually to avoid issues like hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). During his initial week, getting Wilford to adjust to his new healthy diet was a challenge. He was so stressed that he barely ate. We had to take him to the vet twice in the first two weeks for various treatments like blood work, x-rays, appetite stimulants, and anti-nausea medications,” Jen, Wilford’s foster mom, shared with Bored Panda.
Fortunately, with proper care and a controlled diet, Wilford’s health improved.
After Wilford recovered, Jen and Ian, his caretakers, set out to address the big boy’s weight issue. “Wilford currently tips the scales at 28 pounds, when ideally he should be around 14 pounds. This means he has to shed half of his current weight. Right now, our main focus is making sure he feels comfortable and secure. Wilford is a joy to be around, and we feel extremely lucky to be able to care for him,” they shared on Instagram. Jen shared, “It took us several weeks and trying out around 15 different types of cat food before we could get him to eat regularly. We’ve also had to navigate through various health issues, but now he’s in a stable condition, slowly shedding pounds, and thriving.”
The big fluffy cat is not just known for his large belly, but also for his vibrant personality. According to his foster caretakers on Instagram, he is quite playful despite his limited mobility. They mentioned that he enjoys playing with a feather wand and can be encouraged to swat at it, which helps him get some much-needed exercise. The foster family describes him as a loving and playful feline.
After spending over a month with his foster family, Wilford has finally started shedding some pounds. He’s been sticking to his routine of eating well, taking baths, exercising, and playing with his toys. “Since he can’t groom himself, regular baths are a must. Although he’s not a huge fan, he’s a trooper and tolerates them as long as he gets plenty of neck scratches and back rubs while getting cleaned,” shared Jen from Pokey Pot Pie with Bored Panda. “Wilford also has asthma, so he requires medication via inhaler twice a day. He’s surprisingly cooperative about it!”
In a few weeks, Wilford will be all set to find his forever home.
“He’s becoming more active, playful, and confident around our other cats. I’m really happy to see his progress!” shared Wilford’s temporary family. They are currently in the process of finding him a forever home where he will be safe, healthy, and content. Potential adopters are being interviewed to ensure they understand the commitment involved in caring for an overweight cat like Wilford. He requires special attention, including regular baths as he cannot groom himself properly. Despite the extra care he needs, Wilford is a fantastic cat who deserves a loving home willing to provide for his unique needs. The caretaker of Wilford hopes he will find a new family that will embrace the challenge and love him even more for it. Hopefully, Wilford will soon find his perfect match and a place to call his own. People had some wonderful things to say about this lovable chunk of fur!
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