Animal Beat

Portly pussycat Prince Chunk inspires a foundation to help pet owners in need

Prince Chunk, the feline media darling whose enormous size almost set the world’s record for the fattest cat, sadly passed on in late November due to a heart attack. But his legacy continues large in the foundation his owner Vince Damiani of Blackwood, New Jersey, established in his name. Today the Prince Chunk Foundation, a nonprofit charity, provides pet food and veterinary care to help families and individuals who fall on hard time to keep their pets.

Damiani, who is a full time college student in addition to his responsibilities in running the Foundation, has been involved with animal welfare since he was 14. Then he started volunteering at the Camden County Animal Shelter as well as fostering animals. Four years later in August 2008, Prince Chunk arrived at the shelter; he was found wandering on the street after his owner's home was foreclosed. According to the Foundation website, Prince Chunk's owner believed it was in the cat's best interest to abandon him on the street and hope for the best.  Among 500 applicants, the shelter chose the Damiani’s as Prince Chunk’s new adoptive family.

Damiani says his work at the shelter made him aware how much aid was needed to help pet guardians, especially as the economy declined. Prince Chunk’s situation was the catalyst that spurred him to do something.

In January 2009, Damiani began to research how to start a nonprofit. He decided to focus on helping animals – initially cats and dogs - to stay in their homes. Since Prince Chunk was from New Jersey, it was natural to start there.

In June 2010, the Prince Chunk Foundation officially launched and captured immediate attention because of its namesake. In addition to New Jersey, the Foundation currently operates in New York, Pennsylvania and California.

The Foundation works with veterinary hospitals who have signed on to become partners, providing emergency care to pet owners who apply for assistance. The Foundation also provides vouchers for pet food for up to three months. After three months, the vouchers can be renewed for another three months.

For those in need of assistance, you must reside in one of the four states noted above.  You then need to fill out an application, which includes providing documentation on income to ensure you meet the Foundation’s financial eligibility requirements.

If you are interested in donating to the Prince Chunk Foundation to help other pet guardians in need, go to: http://www.princechunkfoundation.org/donations.php.