www.roanoke.com

Blog entry by Heather Froeschl

You might remember a story not too long ago about a homeless cat in New Jersey, who turned out to be a male, not a female, and who topped the scales at a whopping 44 lbs. Here’s the video in case you missed it:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/nj-fat-cat-princess-chunk-becomes-a-star/263197435

After the instant stardom this kitty achieved, appearing on talk shows (he didn’t have much to say for himself) and numerous places on the World Wide Web, the Camden County Animal Shelter received as many as 500 applications to adopt him. The honor was to go to a family in southern New Jersey.

The Damiani family has had the cat for about a month now, but his adoption was not finalized. There have been some further developments for “Prince Chunk.” While Donna Damiani filled out and submitted a regular adoption application, the Executive Director, Jennifer Andersch, told her it was invalid. The shelter sent a registered letter to the family that read, “When you expressed interest in adopting “Prince Chunk,” your family was aware of the special circumstances surrounding him. It was agreed that the adoption contract would be drafted by legal councel (sic).” The letter went on to refer to the family as a foster family, and that worries Donna Damiani. I would worry too. Here they are taking care of him and welcoming him into their family and yet the shelter hasn’t finalized the adoption yet. Could “Prince Chunk” once again be homeless?

The family wonders if Chunk is being used as a “pawn” by the shelter, perhaps anticipating that donations could come in. In fact, Andersch said that the legal contract was intended to protect all parties involved. The shelter wants to guarantee it receives any donations connected with Chunk that could aid animals who need homes.

That’s all well and good, but what about the welfare of this particular cat? Surely it is in his best interest to find a permanent home and it seems he has made headway on that goal with the Damiani’s. What do you think? Is the shelter milking this fat cat or considering his welfare? Surely there can be some agreement made to meet both goals.

With thanks to the Courier Post for information and a link to the latest: http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808280381