27-pound Cat Who Was Left in Box Outside Shelter, Finds Someone He's Been Waiting for

Stories

A box was spotted outside a shelter in Tracy, California. Staff were shocked to find a cat inside.

He was a big fella and eager to be loved.

Tracy Animal Services

About seven weeks ago, Tracy Animal Services took in a big kitty that was found abandoned in front of the shelter. The cat was a lover from day one and would purr and ask for pets and head snuggles whenever he got a chance.

While at the shelter, the 27-pound cat was overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and would hide under his blanket for comfort.

"You never knew how big he was until he came out. It was shocking to everyone who would take the time to peek under his blanket or talk sweetly to him to get him to come out," Beth Palacios, an Animal Services Officer at the Tracy Animal Shelter, told Love Meow.

They named him Tommy Boy. "He was a lover boy, purr machine!"

Tracy Animal Services

"Due to his size and weight, he may have some health issues and will require a diet under vet supervision. The new owner will be required to see to his veterinarian needs and follow a strict diet. He is well worth it! We want him to live a long and healthy life," the shelter wrote.

That's when Alex Sparks, a vet tech who had volunteered for the shelter, found Tommy Boy. "I had been talking with my family for a month or so about adopting a new cat after one of ours passed away earlier this year. I dropped into the Tracy animal shelter on a whim one day after work," Alex told Love Meow.

Alex Sparks

"I went into the cat room and they had a few kittens and adult cats, as I passed by one of the kennels I noticed a pet bed that seemed to be moving and realized there was definitely a cat hiding under it, I could see two bright blue eyes peeking out."

She stuck her finger through the bars and started calling 'kitty, kitty'.

Alex Sparks

"To my surprise 27.2 pounds of cat wiggled out from under that blanket. He was definitely scared of this new environment but was kneading his paws and letting out little meows while rubbing against my hand through the bars. I instantly fell in love with him."

Alex went to the front desk to inquire about the kitty. Tommy Boy was not available for adoption until after the hold period, but Alex couldn't get him out of her mind.

Alex Sparks

"I went back in to visit him the following day on my lunch break. He seemed to have come out of his shell a bit and was laying on top of the pet bed, he greeted me with purrs and rubs."

As soon as she walked up to his kennel, Tommy Boy rubbed up against the bars, trying to snuggle with his human friend. He purred the loudest purrs while getting pets and head scritches. He didn't want Alex to go when her visit was over.

Alex Sparks

She went back a third time at the end of the week before his adoption day. "I spent some time again petting him, and knew by my third trip this was definitely the guy for our family," Alex told Love Meow.

Watch Tommy Boy in this cute video: