This huge cat is called Meatball and he weighs more than a three
year-old CHILD.
The morbidly obese feline from Phoenix, Arizona, who weighs a
whopping two-and-a-half stone, was taken in by the Maricopa County
animal shelter in Mesa.
Meatball has been passed from home to home and it is thought one of
his owners fed him human food, which resulted in his super-sized
appearance.
On Tuesday, Meatballs latest owners surrendered him to the animal
shelter because they could not care for him.
His massive weight means he struggles to move with the agility of
a healthy cat and his owners said he kept having
"accidents".
Shelter worker Melissa Gable said Meatball was the "biggest cat I
have ever seen".
Meatball is just four years-old and is so big he had to be weighed
on a scale for dogs.
He tipped the scales at 36 pounds, which is four times the weight
of an average cat at that age.
To try and shed the pounds, Meatball has been put on a strict
low-calorie diet, but he is not interested in the meals being
provided for him.
The shelter says Meatball is very friendly but because of his
health and troubling size he will not be put up for adoption.
Heavy load:
Staff member Juliana Hernandez with Meatball
Slow mover:
Meatball the cat at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in
Phoenix, Arizona
Very friendly: Melissa Gable plays with Meatball
Hearty eater: Meatball has been put on a strict low-calorie diet -
but he isn't keen on his meals
Hard life: Meatball will not be put up for adoption again because
of his size
