The Continuing Saga of Prince Chunk

Did the Fat Cat who was Prince get Chumped?

I was flagged on September 2, 2008 by fellow web blogger Chris, of Take Care of your Cats, regarding updated information on what I thought was a happy ending for dear Prince Chunk. Turns out I was wrong.

According to an August 28, 2008 article by The Associated Press the adoption paperwork is now held up due to legal wrangling and contract analyzing. Chunk’s new family the Damianis of New Jersey were ready to settle into a routine life with their new family member—until they were informed by the Camden County Shelter that the adoption agreement they signed was invalid.

Jennifer Andersch, Executive Director of the Camden County Shelter, stated that due to the nature of Prince Chunk’s notoriety both parties agreed to have an adoption agreement drawn up by legal counsel. Part of that agreement would mandate that Chunk make fund-raising appearances on behalf of the shelter.

For the Damiani family the surprise of the “invalid” adoption agreement was even more confounding when a letter they received from the shelter labeled them as Chunk’s “foster” family. This bit of news spurred the Damiani family to take their story public.

What I find interesting about the Camden Animal Shelter is a little tidbit of information located on the internet regarding the shelter’s past history. It appears that the Camden County Animal Shelter has been in the spotlight before. At least on a local level.

In 1997 this shelter, located in Blackwood, New Jersey, was operated by a group that went under the name, Humane Society of Southern New Jersey. The director was Glenn McCleery and the organization itself was headed by Richard Perr, Esq. of Tineman, Krektsein & Harris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who headed the shelter from its inception.

In 2002 the shelter was charged by the New Jersey SPCA for illegally providing shelter animals for experimentation, a practice known a “pound seizure.” Veterinary students from the local Camden college were provided with these animals to “practice” on. The college would order a certain number of animals of specific size, weight and species. The shelter would “fulfill” the order by slating these animals for euthanasia (regardless of the animal’s health condition or its adoptability).

“As reported in Compassion for Camden’s Winter 2002 UPDATE, in April and August of last year the Humane Society of Southern NJ (humane society) allowed a number of animals to be removed from the Camden County Animal Shelter to be used by Sound Technologies as test subjects for hands-on equipment training and sales. The company-sponsored seminars stretched over a period of days at the Cherry Hill Clarion Hotel.”

The practice was uncovered by Marion Churchill, founder and president of Compassion for Camden. It was then reported to the New Jersey SPCA who in turn conducted is own investigation*.

On July 24, 2004 the NJ SPCA formerly filed suit in Camden County Superior Court charging the management of the Camden County Animal Shelter, the Humane Society of Southern New Jersey, the Camden County College, shelter director Glenn McCleery, college staffer Maragaret Dorsey and various others with animal cruelty - the use of shelter animals for experimentation - a crime of the fouth degree. (read more..)

Thankfully as of September 1, 2004, Perr and the Humane Society of Southern New Jersey were no longer involved with the Camden County Animal Shelter. The Animal Welfare Society took over the operation of the shelter that same day.

According to Marion Churchill, when the shelter was under the direction of the Humane Society of Southern New Jersey, 60% of dogs and 80% of cats were killed. She states that the shelter’s inaccessible operating hours were partly responsible, since it was only open one evening a week and closed on Sundays and holidays. She continues to state that no other shelter in the state had such a poor record. Yet, when she approached Richard Perr about these sad numbers his email response was,” … the shelter continues to be one of the premier facilities in the state …” Marion Churchill concludes, “Frankly, I don’t know what ever prompted Perr to use the word ‘continues’ because I don’t recall the shelter to ever be ‘premier’.”

This news never reached those of us who live in other areas of the country but I am certain that locals were stunned and horrified when evidence was revealed that an organization containing the word “humane” turned out to be inhumane. And although the shelter’s current management has a wonderful record of decreasing euthanasia and increasing adoptions, its past may not be completely forgotten. This might explain why people like the Damiani family are suspicious about the shelter’s motives regarding Prince Chunk.

Indeed, Prince Chunk has proved to be quite a windfall for the county shelter placing it in the public spotlight—this time on a national level. From the shelter’s perspective Chunk provides the perfect opportunity to educate and enlighten people about the plight of homeless pets. Furthermore, his touching story may help the shelter receive much needed revenue in the form of donations. Certainly that is as it should be. Shelters are donation motivated and it’s not uncommon for them to capitalize on free publicity.

However, a humane shelter’s primary focus is to place its healthy pet population with loving families. To withhold an animal from receiving a permanent home due to its “fame” is not exactly within the interest of the animal. And this type of action places the shelter’s needs, and the “greater good” of other animals, above that of Prince Chunk. The Damianis need to know that this cat is indeed going to remain Prince of their home. And Chunk needs to become a permanent member of a family who obviously has his best interest at heart.

*A hard copy of the report, including names of witnesses, is available to the
public via the Open Public Records Request Application (OPRA).]

Contact Camden County Administration 856-225-5354
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/opra/forminfo.html
County Administration 856-225-5354 mlonetto@camdencounty.com

Prince Chunk Finds His Forever Home

Fat Cat from New Jersey becomes Instant Celebrity!

In the wake of our nation’s economic downturn and rising tide of foreclosures thousands of pets are without a home. Well-intentioned people leave their furry family members behind, some in the hopes of retrieving them later, others with no hope at all. Already filled shelters are stretched to the seams as the intake cases far excede adoptions. Sad to say, most of these pets end up being euthanized but one fat cat’s story has a happy ending

The 10-year old cat’s owner, a senior citizen, was hit by hard times and lost her home to foreclosure. Donna Oklatner told reporters that, “It broke my heart to give him up. I could not take care of him. I wanted him to have a good home.” Oklatner was under the impression that friends had taken the cat to a local shelter. Instead Animal Control found him wandering around outdoors without a collar in Voorhees, New Jersey.

This is one HUGE cat, weighing in at 44 pounds! (The heaviest cat on record is 46 pound, 15 ounce tabby cat from Australia.) Aptly dubbed Prince Chunk by the shelter, he immediately found a foster home with Debbie Wright.

Chunk rocketed into stardom when he made his debut appearance on a local television channel. Then his big break came with an appearance on the “Live with Regis & Kelly” talk show. The nation was riveted and adoring fans from all over flooded the shelter with adoption requests. In the end Chunk received almost 500 adoption applications.

On August 8, 2008, the Camden County Animal Shelter announced that Prince Chunk (who received a clean bill of health from the vet) has been adopted. The New Jersey family’s identity will not be disclosed but it sounds like his forever home is eager to give him the best life possible: they are building a castle to go over Prince Chunk’s litter box. What more could a fat cat from New Jersey ask for? Except perhaps a good belly rub?

Welcome Darko!

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services of Wimberley, Texas says Welcome to the Family!

SecurePet is happy to announce the newest member of its extended pet sitting family. This is Darko, a wild mustang rescued by one of SecurePet’s clients.

Darko was captured in the Jackson Mountains of Nevada and arrived at his new home in the Wimberley, Texas area on May 30, 2008.

He is a 14 month old, gelded bay sorrel. The name “Dar” means gift in Serbian. The “ko” was added as a flourishing touch. And indeed he is a gift and I look forward to meeting him.

Darko has quickly learned who the real boss is and it’s not him! Here is my favorite blue and gold Macaw, named Lola, telling Darko exactly what she thinks.

There is nothing shy about this girl and it looks like Darko agrees with every word she says. Well, he really doesn’t have a choice does he?

By the way, Darko has made great progress. He is gentled and can be led around the property by his new owner. Kudos to his new family for rescuing him and the fantastic progress he is making.

SecurePet Pet Sitter Services is located in Wimberley, Texas and specializes in all types of animal care, including ranch animals, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and animals with special needs. This full-service pet sitting company will ensure that all your pets receive the best of care while you are away on business or pleasure.