By Dina Ginzburg

Garfield the cat was brought to the North Shore Animal League of America after his owner had died. Garfield wasn’t like most cats brought to the shelter, though. Most abandoned cats are scrawny and sickly, but Garfield is fat, so fat that he has been crowned the “world’s fattest cat.”

He weighs 40 pounds and certainly lives up to the cartoon character he was named after. He doesn't even look like a domestic cat anymore! He sort of looks like a miniature lion!

While a fat cat might be cute and funny to look at, being obese is just as dangerous for animals as it is for people. His joints get stiff because he’s too heavy to walk much, and he certainly never runs. He can’t clean most of his body because his neck just can’t stretch that far, which causes his fur to get all matted. Also, he’s more prone to heart problems and all the other issues that come along with obesity.

But never fear, because the vets at the NSALA are taking good care of Garfield. He gets his fur brushed daily, his joints massaged and has been put on a strict diet that’s supposed to make him lose two pounds a month. Sure, he eventually won’t be the world’s fattest cat, but we’re sure that he’s probably pretty happy about that because he’ll be able to run around and play just like the other cats.

For now, Garfield is in good hands and can enjoy his moment in the kitty cat spotlight!