Tiny the Fat Cat Loses Half His Body Weight and Finds a New Home

The more-trim Tiny was officially adopted by foster parent Nancy Garon, after losing enough weight to  be deemed healthy. Tiny dressed up in his best sparkly bowtie for the occasion, enjoying a party from the SPCA before his departure. 

Tiny's story started when he was dumped outside the Fredericton SPCA in New Brunswick, Canada. While his owner abandoned him, the 30-lb Tiny found thousands of new friends through the SPCA and his Facebook page. Fans were able to keep track of Tiny's weight loss journey through the social network, encouraging him through every step. 

Aside from dropping pounds, this pussycat is also known for his stylish look. Tiny has a penchant for adorable ties. Many of the accessories he sports were made by SPCA volunteers. Tiny's ties are also being sold on Etsy to help raise funds for the shelter and cover the animals' medical costs. 

The new physique means major changes for Tiny. 

"As soon as he lost the first six pounds, you could start to see the changes," LeeAnn Haggerty, the director of education at the shelter, told the Daily Mail. "To not be able to groom yourself must've been pretty frustrating. When he walked, he used to take a few steps, but now he runs all over the place. He is a very playful cat."

Tiny was able to lose the weight thanks to a special calorie-controlled diet and exercise plan. He was then put into a foster home that could look after the kitty, and make sure he stuck to his diet. 

This foster home will now become Tiny's forever home. Garon became so connected to Tiny and his battle for a better body that she decided to care for the feline permanently. 

"It was a nice way to celebrate all the work, dedication and time that went into Tiny," Haggerty told TODAY.com. "She's really bonded with him and it's nice for everyone to know that he'll be doing well in Nancy's care."

Vets stress that helping obese cats lose weight is important. While some may think fat cats are cute, extra pounds lead to eye, coat, heart and respiratory issues, arthritis and diabetes. Overall, complications caused by being overweight can mean a shorter, less fulfilling life for your pet.