27-pound ‘chonk’ at Texas animal shelter needs a new home — and a weight loss plan

Back at an Austin, Texas, animal shelter for the second time time in a year, a 27-pound cat needs a new home as he begins his weight loss journey.

The cat named Tanglewood was adopted in 2023, but has recently been at the Austin Animal Shelter due to medical issues he was facing.

“Tanglewood is a 27-pound chonk who just can’t catch a break,” Austin Pets Alive! said in a July 22 post on Facebook.

Austin Pets Alive! says Tanglewood recently began having “severe seizures,” including one that caused a broken jaw and potentially re-injuring a broken leg.

Before he can be adopted again, Tanglewood needs medical care because his broken leg “makes it tough for him to move around,” the shelter said.

And at a robust 27 pounds, the 5-year-old cat “needs a cheerleader” as he tries to get back to a normal weight.

“Once he’s all healed, he’ll need to be encouraged to move around and play,” Austin Pets Alive! says on its website. “He’ll stay on a prescription food to help with weight loss and our medical team will help figure out how much he should be eating.”

But Ally Dono, the cat specialty populations coordinator at the shelter, said his weight loss is not the highest priority as he faces his other medical issues, Fox 7 reported.

Dono called Tanglewood “the biggest chunk of love you’ll ever meet,” according to Fox 7. He also has co-existed with other cats, making him a perfect addition to a cat-friendly home.

“Tanglewood starts purring as soon as you come into his room! He loves pets, especially around his face,” his adoption listing reads. “He will nudge you and lean into your hand to ask for more. He also enjoys being gently brushed, even on his tummy! He’ll purr throughout his spa session, and sometimes his purrs turn into the cutest little chirps!”

For information on how to adopt the “friendly, calm, affectionate” cat, visit the Austin Pets Alive! website at AustinPetsAlive.org .

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