Now THAT'S a fat cat!!!

[pomtzu]

I just saw Princess Chunk on the Regis & Kelly Show. It seens "she" is a "he" and his name is Powder and he is 7-10 years old - his foster and vet accompanied him to the show. They found that the owner was an elderly lady that was moving and just turned him loose in the streets. SHAME-SHAME-SHAME on her. How could she do that???? Such a beautiful and mellow kitty. People are lining up to adopt him - I'm sure he will be loved and PROPERLY cared for the rest of his life. You go Powder - such a celebrity you are!!!

[Donnaj4962]

I, too, saw Powder on the Regis and Kelly show this morning! He seems like a very lovable kitty and I am sure he will be adopted in no time at all. The foster mom said that he eats regularly, not huge amounts, so the first thing they are going to do is bloodwork and check the thyroid! I was amazed when the vet was asked to determine the sex and Powder just laid there, on his bakc with all four legs spread apart! Neither of my cats would do that! Yes, shame on his elderly owner for putting him out, but he obviously was loved and well cared for... except for the weight issue. I am anxious to hear more about this sweet guy!

[Don Juan's mom]

According to a story today on Philly.com, the owner's house was foreclosed. She was able to re-home another cat, but couldn't find a place for "Powder."

I saw a documentary on fat pets on the National Geographic channel, which featured a "fluffy" tuxedo in the UK, with loving and responsible owners. The vet determined that the cat had a very low metabolism, and prescribed an exercise regimen. So, we were treated to shots of the husband trying to get the big guy to chase some teasers. Said he hadn't worked so hard since he went through firefighter training.

Liz

[Ginger's Mom]

He really is a handsome boy, and I am glad to hear that he has a name, and that people are taking such an interest in him. So how long was this boy out on his own, does anyone know. Man, if I could take a cat, this one has sure grabbed my heart.

[pomtzu]

I believe I read that he was only on his own for a few days. His owner still did the wrong thing by turning out into the streets. But - lucky for him he was found before anything bad happened to him - and now he has become an overnight world-wide celebrity. A happy ending is what counts here,

[moosmom]

I heard that Princess Chunk got a home. They aren't disclosing the new adopters for fear of too much media publicity.

Have a wonder life girl. You certainly deserve it!!

It's a damn shame that none of the hundreds of applicants wanting to adopt Princess didn't open their hearts to one of MANY other shelter cats so deserving of a loving home. Shame on them.

[Catty1]

I got a reply via email this morning from Michelle, one of the volunteers:

from CamdenCounty AnimalShelter
to Candace C
date 11 August 2008 05:57
subject Re: The other 399 applicants for Prince Chunk... :-)
mailed-by yahoo.com
Signed by yahoo.com

hide details 05:57 (2 hours ago)

Hi Candace,

Unfortunately..as hard as we tried..we did not see much of an increase in adoptions. On Friday..just one week after the story aired..we were frantically trying to free up 6 cages so that we didn't have to PTS anyone. We ended up sending some kittens to another shelter in our county that had some space. We really had hoped that it would bring in much needed funds or increase adoptions but sadly all that people really seemed to be interested in was that one cat.

Michelle
Volunteer

How sad and maddening! I am glad that SOME people are adopting - your friend is a real blessing, Ginger's Mom - I wonder if the other people who didn't would have been PO'd that they would have had to remain anonymous at the end. No fame via a cat!

Prayers that all the fur babies everywhere get a good furrever home!

[Don Juan's mom]

Susan Goldston, who writes a weekly pets column in the San Jose Mercury News, remarked on Powder's case that people often want to adopt pets with a "story." We have a very sad animal abuse case in our area, involving a man who was running an unlicensed dog breeding business in his rural home. Apparently, hundreds of people have offered to adopt the dogs and puppies rescued from the filth and neglect, but were less interested in considering one of the other dogs in the shelter.

Liz

[neko1]

RIP

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201...ince_chun.html

N.J. media sensation 'Prince Chunk' cat dies
Published: Saturday, November 27, 2010, 8:15 AM Updated: Saturday, November 27, 2010, 12:53 PM
The Associated Press The Associated Press


GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP — An enormously fat cat named Prince Chunk who became famous when he was found wandering in New Jersey after his owner lost her home to foreclosure has died.

Prince Chunk's adoptive owner, Vince Damiani of Blackwood, said the white tabby died in his sleep Sunday. He was about 10 years old. Damiani said a veterinarian had diagnosed the cat with heart disease.

Prince Chunk skyrocketed to fame in August 2008 after the Camden County Animal Shelter, which took him in, reported that he weighed 44 pounds, just shy of a world record.

Damiani believes that estimate may have been somewhat exaggerated. He said Prince Chunk weighed 22 pounds when he brought the cat home from the shelter.

He soon became a media sensation, appearing on "Good Morning America," ''Live with Regis and Kelly," the covers of the New York tabloids and in People magazine.

The Damiani family was chosen from among 500 applicants to adopt him.

The pet's plight inspired the Damianis to establish the Prince Chunk Foundation, a nonprofit that helps financially distressed pet owners keep their animals. The foundation operates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and California.

Its mission is to prevent animal homelessness by providing temporary assistance to dog and cat owners, including free emergency vet care and pet food, Damiani said.

[Kirsten]

That is sad! Only 10 years old, but I guess it's no surprise that his heart gave up...

RIP, poor kitty! He looked so friendly and sweet in the pics!