The heart-warming story of Chili, Ottawa’s now-famous tubby tabby who shed an impressive 16 pounds, has sparked a remarkable new initiative in our city’s animal welfare landscape. Local resident Melanie Dubois has transformed her spacious Vanier home into “Second Chance Sanctuary,” Ottawa’s first dedicated haven for overweight felines.
“I was scrolling through TikTok late one night when I came across Chili’s transformation videos,” says Dubois, a former veterinary assistant. “Something just clicked. These cats need specialized care that many shelters simply can’t provide.”
Chili gained internet fame after his owner, Ottawa tech worker Jason Miller, documented the cat’s weight loss journey on TikTok. The videos, showing Chili progressing from a sedentary 32-pound cat to a more active 16-pound pet, garnered over 8 million views and caught the attention of national media.
Dr. Sarah Chen from the Ottawa Humane Society points out that pet obesity is reaching alarming levels. “Approximately 60% of cats in Canada are overweight or obese, which can lead to diabetes, joint problems, and shortened lifespans,” she explains. “What Melanie is doing addresses a genuine need in animal welfare.”
The sanctuary, which officially opened last week, currently houses eight cats ranging from 18 to 25 pounds. Each follows a specialized diet and exercise plan developed in consultation with local veterinarians.
“We’ve converted my basement into what we call the ‘Kitty Gym,'” Dubois laughs, showing off a room filled with cat wheels, climbing structures, and interactive toys. “Most of these sweethearts had never played before arriving here.”
The sanctuary operates entirely on donations and has already received remarkable community support. Local pet stores like Global Pet Foods on Bank Street and Critter Jungle in Hampton Park Plaza provide discounted supplies, while students from Carleton University’s Veterinary Technology program volunteer weekly.
City Councillor Mathieu Fleury has praised the initiative. “This kind of grassroots response to community needs is what makes Ottawa special,” he noted during a recent visit to the sanctuary.
For Miller, seeing his cat’s story inspire such meaningful change has been overwhelming. “I just wanted to help Chili live a healthier life. I never imagined it would spark something like this,” he says, cradling a noticeably slimmer Chili in his arms. “Now he visits the sanctuary regularly as what Melanie calls the ‘motivational meower.'”
The sanctuary has already facilitated two adoptions – formerly overweight cats who reached their goal weights and found forever homes. Ottawa resident Elaine Thompson adopted one such success story, a black cat named Midnight who lost eight pounds at the sanctuary.
“He’s like a different cat now,” Thompson shares. “When you adopt an older cat who’s been through a transformation like this, there’s this incredible sense of appreciation from them.”
Dubois hopes to expand the sanctuary’s services to include educational programs for pet owners. “Overfeeding is often an act of love gone wrong,” she explains. “We want to help people understand that loving their pet means keeping them healthy.”
The sanctuary has caught the attention of researchers at the University of Ottawa’s Veterinary Sciences Department, who have proposed a study to document the cats’ progress and develop best practices for feline weight loss.
“What’s happening here could benefit overweight cats everywhere,” says Dr. Robert Williams, who leads the research team. “The combination of specialized nutrition, appropriate exercise, and emotional support seems particularly effective.”
As for the future, Dubois dreams of eventually acquiring a larger property outside the city where more cats can be accommodated. For now, though, she’s focused on the eight pudgy residents currently in her care.
“Each success story matters,” she says, gently stroking a tabby named Muffin who’s lost three pounds since arriving two months ago. “When I see them playing or jumping—things they couldn’t do before—that’s everything.”
Those interested in supporting the sanctuary can follow their Instagram account @SecondChanceOttawa or visit their website for donation information and adoption applications.
“Sometimes the smallest actions create the biggest ripples,” reflects Dubois. “Chili’s journey inspired me, and hopefully these cats will inspire others. That’s how change happens—one cat, one pound, one person at a time.”
