A Virginia shelter sent out a call for a caring new owner for Patches – who tips the scales at a whopping 40.3 pounds (18.3kg).

Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) accompanied it with a hilarious picture of a staff member struggling to hold the podgy pussy.

The listing for what the centre dubbed “the largest cat anyone has ever seen” came complete with the caption: “We love that belly”.

It also asked for a person with “commitment to help Patches get to a safe and heathy weigh