The Incredible Comeback: How Fossey, The Overweight Cat, Defied The Odds

Following numerous health struggles, this big fella is now looking at a promising future.

Fossey is a big cat with smooth black fur and bright yellow eyes. He loves simple joys like soaking up the sun, cuddling in a comfy bed, and playing with his mouse toy.

But what Fossey loves the most are belly rubs. While most cats tell you when they’ve had enough, Fossey can never get too many. Even on his hard days, a belly rub always made him happy.

Taking Care of Fossey

Not much is known about Fossey’s early years.

When he arrived at a Utah shelter, he was 23 pounds, severely unkempt, and very shy.

The shelter contacted Best Friends for the extra care Fossey needed, aiming for a no-kill future by 2025 through their teamwork.

Fossey’s anxiety stopped him from eating.

“Despite appetite stimulants, medications, and lots of different food, he just wouldn’t eat,”

Dr. Megan McCarthy from the Best Friends Lifesaving Center in Salt Lake City reported.

“A big problem with overweight and obese cats is, when they stop eating, they can get a liver condition called hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver. That can cause them to get extremely sick.”

Concerned, the team quickly took Fossey to an emergency vet for a feeding tube, essential for his recovery.

After leaving the emergency vet, Fossey stayed at Best Friends, where his affectionate nature and love for belly rubs made him a staff favorite.

He then moved to foster care, where volunteers went the extra mile, preparing his meals, giving him medication, taking him to checkups, and cleaning his tube site, all to help him heal.

Bouncing Back

Just when things were getting better for Fossey, he ran into more trouble with his health. This time, his skin was itchy and red.

“He was severely matted when he came in, and we had to shave him. Sometimes under those mats can be little areas of infection,” Dr. Megan mentioned.

Fossey’s recovery had its ups and downs, but gradually, his skin got better, and he started eating by himself.

Finally, they could take out Fossey’s feeding tube. He was also strong enough for some much-needed dental surgery.

After a long period of care, this tough cat was ready to find a family.

Soon, Fossey won over a new family just like he had won over everyone he met.

No more feeding tubes and skin treatments for him. Now, he has big windows to look out, lots of time to play, and all the belly rubs he wants.

Photos by Rose Marcin and Sarah Ause Kichas