Patches the cat makes inspiring first public appearance since weight loss journey

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Local internet sensation Patches the cat — known for losing more than 20 pounds in 27 months — made an inspiring visit Wednesday afternoon in his first public appearance since the weight loss journey.

Patches was the honored guest at the Douglas S. Freeman High School's service art class in Henrico County on Wednesday, Oct. 22, where he met with art students with special needs.

The students worked on creating merchandise that would go toward benefitting Purring Hearts RVA, a rescue organization for vulnerable cats in the Richmond area. The most voted for designs will be available soon, organizers said.

Service art class teacher Lindsey Hurlburt said opportunities like these mean a lot to the students.

"I didn't feel like they were being embraced [in] the community and classroom," Hurlburt said. "This was a great opportunity for kids that love art, or kids that might want to be a teacher, to work with our other children and have a collaborative community where they're having fun making things."

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Patches was adopted by his owner Kay Ford in April 2023 after being surrendered to the Richmond Animal Care and Control. He weighed more than 40 pounds at the time.

Patches the cat laying down during an interview with 8News in July, 2023 (Photo: Tyler Thrasher/WRIC)

Patches weighed an estimated 40.3 pounds when he was adopted out of RACC in April 2023. (Photo courtesy of Richmond Animal Care and Control)

Patches the cat laying down during an interview with 8News in July, 2023 (Photo: Tyler Thrasher/WRIC)

Patches being weights on February 21, 2024. (Photo: Kay Ford/Facebook)

Patches being weighed on Mary 10, 2023. (Photo: Kay Ford/Facebook)

(Photos: Kay Ford)

According to Patches' Journey where Ford documents his weight loss progress, Patches currently weighs 18.94 pounds.