One animal shelter in Washington is taking a different approach toward finding homes for overweight cats. The Humane Society for Southwest Washington has launched a program called “Big and Beautiful” which offers discounts for people willing to adopt an overweight cat. For cats weighing more than 14 pounds, adoption fees are discounted $1 for every pound of the cat’s body weight.
Often, potential adopters don’t want the extra work of helping an overweight cat lose weight. Larger cats can be great companions for families with older children or retirees because they aren’t usually as active as their slimmer counterparts, preferring to be lap cats instead.
Many of the “Big and Beautiful” cats are prominently displayed in the shelter’s lobby with a sign designating them as “Big and Beautiful”. Halbert, which is the shelter’s largest cat weighing in at 21 pounds, is extremely friendly and gives visitors a lick and quick snuggle when they visit his kennel.
The program seems to be working quite well. Eight of the shelter’s twenty overweight cats have been adopted since the beginning of September.
For those that elect one of the overweight cats, adoption counselors are encouraging a gradual weight loss program for the cat.
Source: The Columbian, September 15, 2012
Written by Karen
