35-pound cat arrives at N.J. shelter

CAMDEN, N.J., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A 35-pound cat has arrived at a New Jersey animal shelter one month after a 44-pound feline named Prince Chunk made headlines at the same shelter.

The newest portly feline to arrive at the Camden County Animal Shelter, named Shamu by staff, was found wandering outside an abandoned home in Camden, the New York Daily News reported Thursday.

Staff at the shelter said that while Shamu is nine pounds lighter than Prince Chunk was when he arrived at the shelter in July, the new arrival appears physically larger than his headline-making predecessor.

"He looks fatter than Chunk looked," said Catherine Harr, board president of the Camden County Animal Shelter. "He's black and white and looks just like a whale. We named him Shamu."

Harr said that despite Shamu's size and weight, he appears otherwise healthy after living in the abandoned home for a few weeks.

"He looks to be in pretty good shape other than him being grossly obese," Harr said. "When you look down at the cat, you can't even see his feet."

"I just hope it's not a trend that's starting because we don't have cages big enough to accommodate these fat cats," she said.