Scroll down to watch Patches' appearance on "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. β The owner of Patches, the once 40-pound cat adopted from Richmond Animal Care and Control more than two-and-a-half years ago, has received a "thrilling" surprise thanks to "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
Kay Ford was featured on the "What I'm Liking" segment, which features everyday people from across social media, on Thursday's show.
Clarkson began the segment talking about Ford adopting Patches and appeared gobsmacked by the formerly chunky feline's size.
"That's Garfield β like that's a big cat," the "American Idol" winner joked. "So she took him home, rolled him there, and got to work, helping him get to a healthy size today. He's a slimmer 19 pounds."
Ford, who joined the show remotely via Zoom, explained how Patches weighed 42 pounds when he was surrendered to the Richmond shelter in April 2023.
"So the day I adopted him was the day we started his journey," Ford recalled. "We formed a partnership with his veterinarian. We got him on a diet plan, and I was encouraged to do some dedicated play with him, [a] stick toy, laser pointer."
Ford said that about a week after the white and gray Domestic Shorthair moved into her Mechanicsville home, Patches "formed a very strong bond" with her other cat, Wellesley.
"They were playing like crazy. They're still playing like crazy today, burning all those calories," Ford said.
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The 8-year-old feline, who topped out at 42 pounds, now weighs 18.76 pounds as of Wednesday.
"When I first got him, he could barely move, much less walk," Ford told Clarkson. "He's been liberated from his girth. He can do anything."
"Liberated from his girth," Clarkson replied. "That's amazing. You're also getting the word about pet health out there, which is super important."
Ford said her Patches Journey Facebook page has allowed her to spread the word about pet health and raise money for animals.
"We've been able to document his journey, and it actually has allowed me to engage in my passion for animal welfare," Ford said.
Nearly 54,000 people from across the globe follow Patches' transformation journey on social media. As a result, Ford has been able to assist other "chunky cats find homes" or be rescued from across the country as well as shine a light on pet obesity.
"If Patches can do it, so can your pet. It just takes dedication, love, commitment and time," Ford explained.
In addition to Clarkson liking a recent post on the Patches Journey page, which is part of the segment, the show also surprised Ford with a $1,000 donation.
"That cat is incredible. Kay, we love you. I'm liking your post right now," Clarkson said. "And that's not all. Our season-long partner, Pilot, wants to celebrate the wonderful life you've given Patches, so they're going to be writing you a check for $1,000 just because you're rad."
Ford posted on social media that she was "thrilled" by the experience and had "absolutely zero idea whatsoever" she would receive a prize.
"Nothing feels better than paying it forward; kindness always wins! Thank you all for being so incredibly supportive as Iβve kept this secret," she wrote Thursday.
Ford posted a photo of her presenting a check for $1,000 to Purring Hearts VA, which is an independent foster-based rescue group in Richmond.
"Thank you to Kelly and her entire team, thank Pilot Pen," Ford wrote. "And thank you to all of you for sharing in this excitement."
"The Kelly Clarkson Show" no longer airs in the Richmond TV market, but you can watch the show weekdays at 4 a.m. on Bravo.
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