44-pound homeless cat found in New Jersey

Princess Chunk isn't the fattest feline on record, but she comes close

Video

Fat housecat turns heads at animal shelter
July 30: New Jersey animal shelter officials say that "Princess Chunk," weighing in at 44 pounds, is almost the fattest cat on record.

msnbc.com

Slideshow

Animal Tracks
A fetching pooch, two kittens in kindergarten, a pair of polar bears and a bunny beauty contest – plus many more cute critters.

more photos

Pet health videos

Carissa Ray / msnbc.com

Abandoned pups and kittens feel the recession too
Nov. 24: The Elkhart County Humane Society is grappling with an influx of pets dropped off after hours in an area that has been hit hard by the economic downturn. Msnbc.com’s Carissa Ray reports.

Miracle pup survives 3 months in wilderness

Pet turkey needs cataract surgery

Whales celebrate Christmas in Japan

Woof! Meet the world’s tallest dog

Most popular

updated 5:32 p.m. ET July 30, 2008

BLACKWOOD, N.J. - Talk about New Jersey’s fat cats.

A 44-pound feline was found waddling around Saturday without a collar in Voorhees, and officials at the Camden County Animal Shelter hope she gets a nice — hopefully, diet-friendly — home.

“She’s built like a quarterback,” said Deborah Wright, a shelter volunteer and current foster owner of the kitty. “I mean, how do you lose a 44-pound cat?!”

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Shelter officials are calling the porky cutie “Princess Chunk.”

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.

Princess Chunk’s owner has until Saturday to reclaim her. After that, the weighty pet will be eligible for adoption.

Click for related content

(Queen) Victoria's secret is out
FirstPerson: Your pudgy, potbellied pets
Oblivious texters hurt as they walk — even cook

Wright plans to speak with a veterinarian to put Chunk on a diet. For now, Chunk’s diet consists of dry and wet cat food.

“I’m about to put a leash on her and walk her,” said Wright. “She could pass for a dog!”