Meow the 39-Pound Cat Dead at 2

Meow, the 39-pound cat, has died. He gained media attention last week when it was publicized that he was trying to lose weight with his foster family. He died of respiratory problems due to his weight. The shelter he was hosted hopes that his short time in the spotlight helped to raise awareness for pet obesity in the country.

The statement from Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society:

Dear Friends,

I am devastated to share with you that the respiratory distress that Meow was experiencing last week (the reason we did not do his weigh-in) took his life at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. The Shelter staff - along with all those who met Meow during his short time with us – mourn his passing. As many of you are aware, Meow began wheezing last Thursday in his foster home, Dr. Jen began trying to sort out the problem, at first considering the possibility of asthma associated with his weight. She started treatment immediately to ease his breathing and, when Meow didn’t improve, she sought additional help for him from our emergency specialty hospital and an additional private veterinary hospital. Although four different veterinarians worked with Meow, we were unable to stop the progression of what turned out to be pulmonary failure. Meow had been doing so well in his foster home; walking up stairs and seeking affection - that it is so very hard to believe he is gone. We will forever be grateful for the attention Meow’s size brought to pet obesity and to animal shelters across the country. We are especially grateful to all of you who fell in love with this charming cat - as we did – and were so very interested in his progress and success.

With gratitude,
Mary Martin