03:00 PM PST on Friday, February 24, 2006

By TERESA BELL, kgw,com Staff

The Oregon Humane Society has some hefty new adoption goals – trying to find homes for three new cats that are some of the most obese felines in the shelter’s history.

kgw.com/Oregon Humane Society

A humane society worker poses for a photo with Lodi, the largest cat in the trio.

The cats have a combined weight of 80 pounds, according to OHS public relations director Barbara Baugnon who said two of the kittys were owner-released and one was a stray.

The largest cat is Lodi, a six-year-old male tabby that weighs 29 pounds. Next is Jiggs, a male tuxedo cat that weighs 26 pounds and Miss Piggy – weighing in at a porky 25 pounds.

"Obesity in cats is very common and can predispose the cat to diabetes, Hepatic Lipidosis and arthritis," said OHS Operations Director Susan Mentley. "In nature, food acquisition has always been accompanied by physical exertion. That just doesn't happen with domesticated animals."

She said 40 percent of cats in America are considered to be overweight and the problem is growing.

But dropping the weight isn’t always quick and easy. Mentley said cat owners need to develop careful diet plans for their beloved felines.

And before starting a diet plan, “any cat that is overweight should have a physical exam performed, including blood and urine tests,” Mentley advised.

Lodi, Miss Piggy and Jiggs will all be up for adoption starting this weekend. Anyone interested can call the shelter at (503) 285-7722 or drop by for a visit in person at 1067 NE Columbia Blvd. in Portland.