Pumpkin arrived at our animal shelter in March, after her owner passed away. As CEO and president of SPCA Cincinnati, I expect something heartbreaking when my team asks me to see an animal – perhaps they have been neglected or abused. Pumpkin was neither. She was dirty and had some fleas but that was not our concern. She was severely obese.

At 25lb (11.3kg), Pumpkin could barely move. Her legs were bowed from the weight and she walked with a waddle. Examining her wasn’t easy. Her breathing became so laboured that she turned blue.

Speaking to her late owner’s daughter, we were able to piece together that Pumpkin was around five and had likely gained weight after two litters and some well-meaning overfeeding.

As a cat dad of three, if I fostered every animal that piqued my interest I would be out of a home. But Pumpkin had these massive, expressive eyes. She doesn’t miaow so everything is communicated through her alien-like gaze. As she lay on her back on the exam table, she was unable to lift her head. Still, she locked eyes with me as if to say: “Help!”

My husband and I decided to bring Pumpkin home to meet our other cats. Jerry is an enormously loud black cat, Doe is sweet and shy, and Dottie is a hunter who gathers my socks in the night. They quickly realised Pumpkin was not threatening. She was far too slow to bother them, couldn’t jump on the counter to eat their food or climb the spiral stairs in our condo. She mostly sleeps on her cat bed, adjusting to her new diet.

When I first posted videos about Pumpkin online, I expected a handful of views. Instead, Pumpkin has captured millions. People stop me on the street to ask if I’m “Pumpkin’s dad”. Comments tell me they would “die for her” and they are “healed” by her videos.

It’s always gratifying to help other people successfully foster and now I’ve experienced it myself. We have officially adopted her and decided to give her a very fitting sixth birthday party on Halloween.

Pumpkin’s coat has grown glossier and she is more comfortable roaming around the house. She’s lost weight – almost 3lb since we’ve had her. She can now even climb on to our couch to lie with our other cats. I like to think her growth has come from a better diet and all the positive energy from her fans online. She’s certainly made our lives richer since she joined the family.