Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by admin
Patches the cat is a gray-and-white domestic shorthair from Mechanicsville, Virginia, who weighed 42 pounds when he was surrendered to Richmond Animal Care and Control in April 2023. On a vet-guided, calorie-controlled diet he has since dropped to about 18 pounds. In March 2026 a painful back problem briefly stalled his progress and, for the first time, made him hiss at his owner.
Where Patches started
Patches arrived at Richmond Animal Care and Control after his previous owners surrendered him. At 42 pounds he was several times the weight of a typical adult house cat. Kay Ford of Mechanicsville adopted him in late April 2023 and started documenting his progress on the Patches Journey Facebook page, which now has more than 54,000 followers.
Patches’ weight loss journey, step by step
His veterinarian helped build a calorie-controlled diet plan, and Ford weighs him regularly and posts the numbers. The figures below are the ones reported by local Richmond news stations.
| Date | Weight | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | 42 lb | Surrendered to the shelter, adopted by Kay Ford |
| Late July 2025 | 20 lb | Reached his first goal weight |
| October 2025 | 18.76 lb | Featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show |
| Mid-November 2025 | 19.03 lb | Small rebound, normal on a long diet |
| Early 2026 | 18.48 lb | About two and a half pounds from his 16 lb goal |
Before and after, the change is striking: roughly 24 pounds gone, and a cat who now moves around far more freely than he could when he arrived. His appetite has not changed much. In late January 2026 he broke Ford’s pantry door trying to get at the food.
The Kelly Clarkson Show surprise
In October 2025 Ford appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The show’s season partner, Pilot, gave her a $1,000 check, and she said she had “absolutely zero idea whatsoever” it was coming. She donated the full amount to Purring Hearts VA, an independent, foster-based cat rescue in Richmond (WTVR).
Patches the cat update: the March 2026 setback
In March 2026 Patches skipped his lunch and did not sleep with Ford the night before, signs she only recognized as a warning in hindsight. Then he hissed at everyone in the house. “Never in the three years of being his mama has he ever hissed at me. But he hissed at everybody today,” Ford told WTVR.
The suspected cause is a recent back injury or previously undiagnosed arthritis. Patches was put on an anti-inflammatory and gabapentin for pain. Ford moved him into a bedroom with a ramp up to the bed and a tall door, so he stays put and rests when she is not home to watch him. “The key is not to let him exacerbate his injury, thinking he can do everything because he’s not in pain,” she said.
Back on his paws
By April 2026 Patches was well enough for his first public meet-and-greet, held at Books, Beads & More in Mechanicsville. Fifteen fans signed up through his Facebook page, and admission was a donation from the Purring Hearts VA wish list. Ford called him “a star, a rockstar” and is planning more events (WTKR). At last report he was less than two pounds from his 16-pound goal.
What Patches’ story shows cat owners
- Slow is right. Patches took more than two years to lose 22 pounds. Crash diets are dangerous for cats; a vet-set calorie target is the safe route. Our guide on how many calories a cat should eat explains the basics.
- Behavior changes are symptoms. A cat who suddenly hisses, hides or skips a meal is often in pain. That is a reason to call the vet, not a training problem.
- Joints carry the cost. Cats who spent years heavy can have joint trouble that shows up later. See when cats start getting arthritis.
- Check your own cat. A quick body-condition check tells you more than the scale alone: how to tell if your cat is overweight.
FAQ
How much did Patches the cat weigh?
Patches weighed 42 pounds when he was surrendered to Richmond Animal Care and Control in April 2023.
How much does Patches weigh now?
About 18 pounds as of spring 2026, with a goal of 16 pounds.
What happened to Patches in March 2026?
He developed a painful back problem, suspected to be an injury or arthritis, and was treated with an anti-inflammatory and gabapentin while resting in a ramp-equipped bedroom.
Where can I follow Patches?
On the Patches Journey Facebook page, run by his owner Kay Ford.