The personnel at the shelter had to perform a double take when they first spotted Bazooka Joe. The gentle giant’s image did not do him credit.
Bazooka Joe weighed over 36 pounds and couldn’t even fit in a standard cat carrier. In fact, he became trapped when he tried to fit into one.
He’s barely big enough to fit in someone’s arms.
“It’s mind-boggling how big he is — and how long he is, too,” Darci VanderSlik, the SPCA of Wake County’s director of communications, told us. “At 34 inches in length, he’s a square cat.”
Bazooka When Joe’s previous owner died, he was surrendered to the North Carolina shelter system. Because of his size, the giant cat came to the shelter matted and muddy, unable to properly care for his coat — and there is a lot of fur to care for.
“He’s having trouble grooming himself correctly, playing with toys, and doing the things that normal cats do,” VanderSlik added. “However, he’s still rather agile for his condition – he’ll leap up on the bed and ascend the stairs.”
Bazooka Joe is still a young cat with a long life ahead of him at only 5 years old, according to VanderSlik: “He’s got this kitten demeanor in this big physique.”
And, despite his intimidating appearance, he has the sweetest personality. “This is the coolest cat I’ve ever seen.” “He’s really laid-back and laid-back,” VanderSlik remarked. “He’s always in a good mood.”
Robin Anderson was browsing the Maine Coon Rescue Community on Facebook when she came across the tabby’s adorable face. She had finally found a cat large enough to replace the hole in her heart after losing her Maine coon in August.
Anderson phoned the shelter right away, hoping the cat hadn’t already been adopted.
When the shelter’s employees heard her personal tale, they knew they’d found Bazooka the right home.
“She had reduced over 120 pounds and was now running marathons,” VanderSlik explained. “As a result, she was ecstatic to step in and assist him while also documenting his weight reduction journey. She even wants to put him through harness training so he can get some exercise.”
Below is a video of their first touching encounter:
