‘She’s lost almost 3lb since we’ve had her’ … Chris with Pumpkin. Photograph: Courtesy of Chris Seelbach View image in fullscreen ‘She’s lost almost 3lb since we’ve had her’ … Chris with Pumpkin. Photograph: Courtesy of Chris Seelbach The pet I'll never forget Life and style The pet I’ll never forget: Pumpkin, the rescue cat turned social media star Struggling to breathe, so big she could barely walk, Pumpkin practically begged for help when we met. Before long I was taking her home
Prefer the Guardian on Google P umpkin arrived at our animal shelter in March, after her owner passed away. As CEO and president of SPCA Cincinnati, I expect something heartbreaking when my team asks me to see an animal – perhaps they have been neglected or abused. Pumpkin was neither. She was dirty and had some fleas but that was not our concern. She was severely obese
View image in fullscreen Pumpkin (left) with Dottie. Photograph: Courtesy of Chris Seelbach At 25lb (11.3kg), Pumpkin could barely move. Her legs were bowed from the weight and she walked with a waddle. Examining her wasn’t easy. Her breathing became so laboured that she turned blue
Speaking to her late owner’s daughter, we were able to piece together that Pumpkin was around five and had likely gained weight after two litters and some well-meaning overfeeding
As a cat dad of three, if I fostered every animal that piqued my