Minnie arrived at the Peterborough Humane Society a month ago after being found wandering near someone’s home. It was clear to her rescuers that she’d likely been abandoned due to her size and severe neglect.
At 27 pounds, Minnie became the chunkiest cat her new friends had ever seen. Her fur was matted and dirty, as she was too large to groom herself properly. Moving around was difficult, and she was clearly uncomfortable.
“Our goal is to get Minnie down to around 15 to 17 pounds,” said Heidi Wilkins, manager of community and shelter services at Peterborough Humane Society. “Weight loss for cats is a slow and steady journey, but she’s already making progress.”
Despite her size, Minnie is surprisingly social. “She’s a little shy at first, but she warms up quickly,” Wilkins added. “Given how uncomfortable she must feel, she’s quite easygoing and enjoys everyone’s company. Plus, she’s playful, which is really helping her weight loss.”
Minnie doesn’t seem to realize how big she is, and her playful antics often leave people chuckling. While her chubby figure is undeniably cute, the shelter staff know she’ll be even more adorable once she’s healthier and more comfortable in her own skin. Her future family will need to be committed to helping her reach that goal.
“She’d thrive in a calm home with a family who understands her unique needs,” Wilkins explained. “Minnie is on a metabolic diet, needs regular vet check-ups, and daily grooming to help with her hygiene. Since she won’t be able to jump high or escape from other animals or children, a home with a chill, cat-friendly senior pet or older kids would be best.”
When Minnie isn’t working on shedding the pounds, all she really wants is a cozy home filled with sunny spots to lounge in—and a loving family to help her stay healthy for good.
