Cats
Couple Adopts Enormous Shelter Cat
Bronson came to the shelter after his elderly owner passed away.
D.G. Sciortino
09.25.18

Everyone loves a good fat cat. But Bronson was the fattest cat that Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman had ever seen.

The couple first came across Bronson when they decided to visit the Human Society of West Michigan.

They originally planned to adopt a kitten but when the saw Bronson and all his massive glory, they fell in love.

Wilson and Hanneman wanted to take Bronson home on the spot but they had to leave for work before they could be interviewed by a shelter employee.

It wasn’t long before their started to regret not waiting longer.

“On the way to work, we were talking about him nonstop and started regretting not sticking around for him,” Wilson said.

Mike Wilson
Source:
Mike Wilson

They became really attached to Bronson and were afraid that someone would adopt them before they had the chance to come back.

So they made plans to return to the shelter as soon as they could.

“We started feeling like he would be adopted in no time because of how quickly we were drawn to him,” Wilson said. “We returned right when they opened the following day and were so happy to see him again!”

Mike Wilson
Source:
Mike Wilson

When they returned to the shelter, shelter staff told Wilson and Hanneman that came to the shelter after his elderly owner passed away.

Once he got to the shelter he was labeled as “Fat Kat.”

He came from a home with lots of other pets but he was kind of a loner and would keep to himself.

“The staff changed his name once they brought him in. But his naming kind of sheds light on how seriously they were taking his obesity,” Wilson said. “Their best guess was that he was fed either too much kibble or was being fed table scraps.”

Mike Wilson
Source:
Mike Wilson

Bronson’s weight left him vulnerable to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

The shelter staff advised the couple that whoever adopted Bronson would have to help him slowly lose weight through diet and exercise.

He would also have to be brushed daily and needed help keeping his backside clean. Bronson’s weight made it hard to do it on his own.

But Wilson and Hanneman were up for the challenge.

They were shocked at what a cuddly guy he was and how he craved affection.

“He was quite unkempt and had a lot of dander in his hair, mostly due to him not being able to groom himself because of his size,” Wilson said. “I just wanted to take him home, clean him up and care for him.”

Mike Wilson
Source:
Mike Wilson

And that’s exactly what they did. Bronson has flourished in his new home.

He loves hanging out with his cat siblings who taught him to play and explore.

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