Buddy the cat is a very big boy with an even bigger goal.
The 22-pound tabby recently landed in an animal shelter after his elderly owner moved into a nursing home, leaving Buddy without a place to stay.
That’s when a Good Samaritan stepped in.
A foster volunteer known online as @lucilletherescuecat went to the shelter hoping to help one of the animals who needed it most and ended up bringing Buddy home.
Now, his foster mom, Charlotte, is helping him work toward two things: getting healthier and finding a forever family.
Buddy’s first challenge is his weight.
In a video introducing the oversized tabby, Charlotte holds him in her arms as he practically fills the entire frame.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
At 22 pounds, Buddy is carrying more weight than is healthy for many cats, so Charlotte plans to help him slim down with a carefully controlled meal plan and more daily activity.
That includes nature walks and a structured feeding routine.
Buddy apparently hasn’t fully warmed up to his foster mom just yet, but she’s hopeful that with time, patience and plenty of encouragement, he’ll settle into his new routine.
Charlotte also explained that overweight cats sometimes arrive from homes where loving owners may have unintentionally overfed them.
In Buddy’s case, the focus isn’t on how he looks.
It’s about helping him feel better, move more comfortably and improve his chances of being adopted.
Of course, viewers couldn’t help noticing just how enormous he is.
“He’s a big unit,” one person joked.
Others lovingly described him as “ginormous,” “a meatball” and “the chonkiest cat who ever did chonk.”
One commenter was especially stunned by his size.
“His head’s almost blocking out yours! He’s huge!!! Bless u for taking this baby home to foster!” they wrote.
Another viewer focused on Buddy’s round shape, while others pointed out his handsome face and beautiful green eyes.
And honestly, those eyes are pretty hard to resist.
Buddy may have a little work ahead of him, but he also has something much more important now: someone in his corner.
With a foster mom helping him get healthier and a growing fan club cheering him on, this big tabby is getting a fresh start.
Hopefully, the next stop on Buddy’s journey is the forever home he deserves.