An Unforgettable Arrival
In late February, a feline by the name of Big Bertha shocked the staff at the Jefferson County Humane Society upon her arrival. While cats come in all shapes and sizes, Bertha’s figure was unlike anything the team had ever seen. At a whopping 21 pounds, she was so big that shelter staff had to use the dog scale to weigh her, as the kitty scale simply couldn’t handle it.
“I’ve been working with shelter animals for over a decade,” said Brandi DeNoon-Damewood, Development Manager at the shelter. “Bertha is, by far, the most overweight kitty I have encountered for her size.”
A Long Road to Recovery
It was immediately clear that Bertha was dealing with more than just weight issues. She had multiple health problems, and getting her healthy became the shelter’s top priority. Vets started her on a comprehensive weight management plan, which included:
- Specialized diet for weight loss
- Gentle exercise using a supportive sling
- Wound care and medical assessments
Her former owner had surrendered her, unable to manage the mounting veterinary needs. While no one knows exactly how Bertha became so overweight, DeNoon-Damewood believes her troubled past played a major role.
A Painful Past
“Her mouth was full of infected, broken, and loose teeth,” DeNoon-Damewood explained. “Usually, these kitties are very thin from the pain. But Bertha only ate soft, canned food that she could slurp, and as her pain increased, so did her eating.”
Her suspected time as a street cat likely triggered a deep-rooted fear of food scarcity, leading to binge eating behavior. “She probably went days without food in the past,” DeNoon-Damewood added, “and that trauma tends to stick.”
Surgery and Transformation
Not long after arriving at the shelter, Bertha underwent dental surgery—a significant step in restoring her quality of life. Before the pounds began to melt away, she was lethargic, unhappy, and had difficulty breathing. But something remarkable happened as she began to lose weight: her spirit awakened.
“She LOVES to ‘talk,’ and she’ll call out if she wants attention,” said DeNoon-Damewood. “It likely started because she couldn’t move much. But now she’s becoming vibrant and social.”
An Inspiring Breakthrough
By the end of March, Bertha had lost a significant amount of weight—she was down to 16 pounds. Though she still had weight to lose, her progress showed how resilient animals can be when given a chance.
“She used to complain loudly when we had to move her or help her walk,” said DeNoon-Damewood. “But now she’s growing stronger every day. Her purr-sonality has truly blossomed.”
A Happily-Ever-After
In early April, Bertha found her forever home. Her new family is fully committed to her continued care, helping her maintain a healthy weight and providing her with the affection she’s always craved.
“With the help of her new adopter,” DeNoon-Damewood concluded, “she will continue to thrive and hopefully find joy in things beyond food.”
Bertha’s story is a powerful reminder that even the most vulnerable animals can bounce back with compassion, veterinary care, and love. The Jefferson County Humane Society and her new family gave her a second chance—and she took it with all four paws.
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