AUSTIN, Texas – Tanglewood, a 26-pound house cat with a heart as big as his size, is once again in the care of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), needing significant physical and emotional rehabilitation.
“Is that a tiny person or a very large cat? It is a very large cat,” remarked Allie Dono, Cat Specialty Populations Coordinator at APA!. Tanglewood, the aptly named hefty feline, has captured the hearts of those at the shelter. “Tanglewood is the biggest chunk of love you’ve ever met in your whole life,” Dono added. His size, though substantial, simply means there is more to love.
Despite his large size, Tanglewood is known for his affectionate nature. “He loves chin scratches. He loves belly rubs. He’s one of those cats where the belly is not a trap. You can get in there and rub it. He loves it,” Dono shared.
After being adopted for about eight months, Tanglewood was returned to APA! in a dire state. “He had a fractured leg when we picked him up, and then over the course of a couple of days, he started developing some neurological symptoms that resulted in seizures. One of the seizures was so intense that he ended up fracturing his jaw, so we had to put a jaw wire in,” explained Dono.
The underlying causes of Tanglewood’s seizures and injuries remain unknown. Currently, APA! is focused on his recovery, aiming to prepare him for a new, loving home. They have initiated a fundraiser to cover the costs of his medical treatments.
In addition to addressing his immediate health concerns, APA! plans to help Tanglewood lose some weight for his overall well-being. “It’s not good for him to be that obese, and I’m sure that once we handle all the other medical issues it will work to slowly get his body weight down, but it’s not the highest priority at the moment,” said Dono.
Despite the pain and his jaw being wired shut, Tanglewood remains incredibly loving and trusting. Dono praised his resilient and affectionate nature, emphasizing that he is an excellent cat in need of a forever home. “He’s just like a big mush ball that we adore so much,” Dono expressed.
Those at APA! are hopeful that Tanglewood will soon find a family to give him the love and care he deserves. To support Tanglewood’s recovery and help him find a new home, donations can be made through APA!’s fundraiser.
