A 35lb (15kg) cat named Bazooka has found a forever home, after arriving at a North Carolina animal shelter.
The cat was taken into the care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Wake County after his owner died.
His huge size is in part because his former owner had dementia, and the shelter believes he kept refilling the cat’s food dish, forgetting he had already eaten.
Spokeswoman Darci Vanderslick told the PA news agency: “The process could take six months or longer, it really depends on how much exercise he is doing.
“With cats, it is very difficult to get them to lose weight so each pound is quite difficult but makes a huge difference to their overall health.
He has now found a new home and will be moving in with his family – who will continue working with him on his weight loss journey.