Meet Barsik, a 41-pound cat from New York City who is gaining fame online while looking for a new home. With the heft of a medium-sized dog, Barsik has attracted over 6,000 fans on Instagram and is on the hunt for a permanent family.
Angelique Iuzzolino, Barsik’s foster caretaker, spoke to TODAY about the sizable feline, saying, “As far as we know, he’s one of the largest cats alive right now.”
Initially, she started posting Barsik’s pictures on her personal account, but the response was overwhelming, leading to the creation of his own Instagram handle, @BigBarsik.
In just a week, Barsik transformed from being a shelter resident to a viral sensation.
He and his 13-pound companion Sukie were brought to the Animal Care Centers of New York City earlier this month and subsequently taken in by Anjellicle Cats Rescue, a local nonprofit.
This is when Iuzzolino, experienced in fostering cats, stepped in to care for them.
“At the shelter, Barsik couldn’t fit in one of the kennels because of his size,” Iuzzolino shared. “He’s so large that he’s quite limited in how he can react when people touch him in ways he might not prefer.”
When Iuzzolino was informed that Barsik and Sukie needed to stay together, she welcomed both into her home. Initially timid, the cats soon adapted and grew affectionate with their new environment.
“On his first day with us, Barsik tried to hide in our bedroom,” Iuzzolino recounted. “After allowing him a few hours to adjust, we started petting him, and he became more relaxed.”
Now, Barsik trusts his foster family and enjoys spending time with Sukie.
Once he reaches a healthy weight through a veterinarian-advised diet, Barsik will be ready for adoption, ideally alongside Sukie, in the New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut areas.
“There are many people who adore his appearance. They love big cats,” Iuzzolino remarked. “However, he needs an owner committed to ensuring his health improves safely.”
Potential adopters should be aware that Barsik might experience some hunger-related moodiness during his weight-loss journey. “We tried picking him up once,” Iuzzolino chuckled, “…and that was definitely not happening!”
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