N.J. Fat Cat Hits The Talk Show Circuit

(AP)  Turns out, the economy is the reason a 44-pound cat found lumbering the streets of New Jersey became homeless.

The Camden County Animal Shelter says the cat's owner came forward to say she had to abandon the tubby tabby because her home was foreclosed.

Shelter director Jennifer Anderch says the older woman recently lost her home and could not keep the 10-year-old cat, whom she called "Powder."

The shelter has been caring for the cat - who became a local media sensation this week and was dubbed "Princess Chunk" - since it was found on Saturday wandering the southern New Jersey suburb of Voorhees.

It also turns out that the princess is a prince. A veterinarian who checked the cat Thursday on "Live with Regis and Kelly" determined it's a "he."

In a week with headlines about presidential politics, suicide bombings in Iraq and big baseball trades, the cat has also captured the nation's attention.

In fact, Anderch has changed her voicemail greeting to identify herself as "Chunk's publicist."

Shelter volunteer Deborah Wright says the cat eats normally despite its girth.

The largest tabby on record weighed 46 pounds, 15 ounces. That cat, who lived in Australia, died in the 1980s. The Guinness World Records has since dropped the category, fearing cat owners might harm their animals in an attempt to break the record.

Hundreds of people have called seeking to adopt the cat. Anderch's voice mail greeting says she's getting up to 15 calls an hour about the cat.

Powder was due to appear Friday on "Good Morning America" and closer to home later in August. She's scheduled to meet the public at the shelter's pet "adopt-a-thon" at a pet store in Cherry Hill on Aug. 17.

[whiskyrokkr]

deacon20081
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Phu Bai Ho you no

[deacon20081]

I love cats--They taste just like chicken.

Posted by whiskyrokkr
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You must be Vietnamese Huh?

[observer2020]

I love cats--They taste just like chicken.

Posted by whiskyrokkr

I know people like you post total nonsense like this just to tick off real people who cares about what happens to animals.

Powder was probably really confused that his "mom" of 10 years just left him. Being that hefty of a kitty, he can''t hunt or find any food for himself. It does cost money to leave your animal at a shelter (more than it costs to "adopt" one). All of my animals throughout the years have been strays that I''ve come across. Once they come into my house, they are my responsibility for the rest of their life. Even if I lost my house, I would be living on the streets or in the woods with my cats. They are my friends and my family and I will not just dump them off somewhere.

[whiskyrokkr]

I love cats--They taste just like chicken.

[charlydez-2009]

I was just listening to your broadcast on "Prince Chunk". Beautiful cat, even though he is overweight - for a reason, I might add. Thyroid problem. Your newscasters were having a very joyous time with the fact the cat, was overweight. Fat cat. Take a pill, lose weight. Does anyone there know what happens to an animal, or a person when they have a thyroid problem? The implication on their part was that a thyroid problem could just be an excuse to be overweight. Shame on you.

[cheetah-man7]

"Well said. ***, indeed. Too many people are maggots who have no regard for animals and are only too happy to mistreat them."

Bravo! I agree 100% with you.

[sjw1253]

part 2

At the same time - I do not know what it would be like to be left homeless (but can imagine) - and if it came between someone taking me in without my pet or not at all - I am sure I would choose to let my cat (especially) go and hope and pray that someone would take him/her in. The problem is that the shelters are too full.

Too many do not spay and neuter their cats and thus the older cats don''t have a chance as so many kittens are crowding the shelters...

This story has a happy ending... The cat is a Super Star and has intrigued so many people to want to adopt him. So - I only hope that those of you who are so negative toward its owner and want to adopt him - will go to a shelter and adopt a cat so that people will have a place to take their cats when they are down and out.

[sjw1253]

I have always taken in strays and tried to find them homes. Last year, a discarded tortoise shell (pregnant) had 3 of the cutest kittens in our alley.

Mama was as sweet and loving as she could be. I patiently wooed the kittens and got them spayes/neutered (a neighbor took care of Mama and found her a home) and was able to find a home for one (not an easy task) and shots. The kittens were as close as any feline family I have ever seen.

I attempted for months to find homes or a shelter for these beautiful kittens I am not able to physically take care of them. I continue to feed the 2 remaining kittens but they need to stay outside.

I live in a city and worry that something bad will happen to them but I am doing the most that I can.

I clearly agree with the person who posted that it is wrong to make generalized judgments toward a person. I loved my pets dearly and can''t imagine how I could ever let anything happen to them.

[caldwellptr]

I used to see homeless people all the time with pets. What was this woman thinking?!?!

[cdfoxtrot1]

That original owner lost her home so she just lets it loose out on the streets ? Isn''''t that animal cruelty ? She should be charged for doing that. That''''s just wrong and then to admit it ?!?! *** is wrong with people, take it to a shelter, cat could have got hit by a car, tormented by some stranger or starved to death. On a side note, Cool cat, I have a tabby, she is about 12 pounds and looks fat, can''''t imagine 44 lbs !

Posted by cheddarboy82

Well said. ***, indeed. Too many people are maggots who have no regard for animals and are only too happy to mistreat them.