Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman didnโt anticipate finding a new pet when they went to visit the Humane Society of West Michigan one day in April.
The couple had been thinking about adding a kitten to their family, but when they saw Bronson, a huge orange cat who was three years old and weighed a staggering 33 pounds, it was love at first sight.
The pair couldnโt help but be captivated by Bronsonโs towering figure amid the other felines at the shelter.
โWhen we first saw him, we were shocked at how big he was,โ Wilson told The Dodo. โNeither of us had seen a cat that size before and we thought he was so cute and cuddly, like a large stuffed animal! We immediately went over to gaze at him from outside his room.โ
Wilson and Hanneman waited in line to be questioned so they could meet Bronson, but they were unable to sit down with the shelter worker before they had to leave for work.
But they couldnโt stop staring at the picture of the huge cat they had taken before they departed. Wilson recalled, โWe were chatting about him incessantly on the way to work and started regretting not hanging around for him.
The coupleโs worry that Bronson might be adopted intensified as the day went on, so they hurried back to the shelter as quickly as they could.
We were connected to him so immediately that we began to think he might be adopted right away, Wilson said.
After the death of his elderly owner, Bronson had been brought to the humane society. He was known as โFat Kat,โ and while he had lived in a home with other pets, the staff at the shelter were told that he was a bit of a loner who preferred to keep to himself.
How such a young cat had put on so much weight was a mystery to everyone.
The staff changed his name once they admitted him, but Wilson said that his original name revealed how seriously they were treating his obesity. Their best hypothesis was that he was either being given excessive amounts of kibble or table leftovers.
At Bronsonโs size, he stood an increased risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes,
along with many other health complications. The interviewer warned the couple that Bronsonโs eventual adopter would need to help him lose weight at a slow pace through diet and exercise. The young catโs hefty measurements also made it difficult for him to adequately clean himself, so they would need to brush him daily to help keep his backside clean.
When Wilson and Hanneman finally met Bronson in person, they were shocked by how love-hungry the cat was, seemingly desperate for pets and affection. And though their hands were oily after touching his striped orange fur, the couple knew they had to bring him home.
Because of his size, he was unable to properly groom himself, as evidenced by the fact that he was rather untidy and had a lot of dandruff in his hair, according to Wilson. โI only wanted to bring him home, groom him, and take care of him.โ
Although Bronson may not have been a gregarious cat in his previous life, he likes hanging out with his two cat siblings in his new home. In turn, Bronsonโs friends have encouraged him to wander the home and play with the toys strewn throughout each room.
The catโs former owners are overjoyed to see him break out of his shell.
As soon as we got him home, Wilson said, โhe kind of did his own thing during the day and stayed in our bedroom.โ He now waits at the door for us when we arrive home with our other cats, runs into the kitchen if there is a commotion of cans opening, and then hangs out with the other cats in the living room.
Though Bronson hasnโt yet slimmed down significantly, in the care of Wilson and Hanneman heโs well on his way to becoming an active cat once again.
โHis weight loss journey has been going very well and we can already see a change in his shape, where he has a lot more definition in his arms and shoulders,โ Wilson explained. โHis front arms used to buckle a little when he jumped down from our couch and now he jumps down without a problem.โ
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The couple, who build wall-mounted furniture designed to help promote exercise for indoor cats, hope that one day Bronson will be able to enjoy their creations.
โAlthough we originally wanted a kitten to help us test the furniture ideas with our other two cats, we saw Bronson and kind of forgot why we were there,โ Wilson said. โWe saw how big he was and thought it would be so fun to work with him to get healthy and then one day get on the furniture.โ
Once Bronson has lost enough weight to be able to safely take flea and tick medicine, he will join his parents for walks outside. โHis life is going to look much different a year from now,โ Wilson added.
A post shared by Bronson the cat (@iambronsoncat) on Jun 24, 2018 at 4:28pm PDT
Everywhere Bronson goes, he attracts attention โ not just for his size, but for his sweet, peaceful personality.
โEverybody that meets him canโt believe how big he is and instantly want to pet him,โ Wilson added. โWhen we first brought him to the vet, everyone took turns coming in our room to meet him until there were like five vets and techs in the room at once. It makes us feel so lucky to have him.โ
The couple, who build wall-mounted furniture designed to help promote exercise for indoor cats, hope that one day Bronson will be able to enjoy their creations.
โAlthough we originally wanted a kitten to help us test the furniture ideas with our other two cats, we saw Bronson and kind of forgot why we were there,โ Wilson said. โWe saw how big he was and thought it would be so fun to work with him to get healthy and then one day get on the furniture.โ
Once Bronson has lost enough weight to be able to safely take flea and tick medicine, he will join his parents for walks outside. โHis life is going to look much different a year from now,โ Wilson added.
Everywhere Bronson goes, he attracts attention โ not just for his size, but for his sweet, peaceful personality.
โEverybody that meets him canโt believe how big he is and instantly want to pet him,โ Wilson added. โWhen we first brought him to the vet, everyone took turns coming in our room to meet him until there were like five vets and techs in the room at once. It makes us feel so lucky to have him.โ
โSometimes weโre like, โHey buddy!โ and go to give him pets and he just grunts and turns around. Heโs like a celebrity.โ