PDSA crowns its 2008/09 Pet Fit Club Champ

Biggest pet ‘losers’ unveiled

The ‘weight’ is finally over! Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, has revealed the winners of its fourth annual Pet Fit Club competition - the UK’s foremost slimming contest for pets.

With one in three dogs in the UK overweight, the charity ‘for pets in need of vets’ has scoured the country and given six porky pets a new ‘leash’ of life, helping them to shed a combined 29kg (four-and-a-half stone) in weight.

Five obese dogs and one cat from across the UK have completed PDSA’s 100 day diet and fitness programme, devised by vets, which began in November 2008. The biggest ‘losers’ are:

WINNER – PDSA Pet Fit Club Champ!
Five-year-old Keano from Plymouth
Former plus-size Labrador, Keano, has shed a massive 10.2kg since he enrolled on PDSA Pet Fit Club.

His starting weight of 46kg made him 53% overweight! Keano’s has now shed 22% of his bodyweight and lost an incredible nine inches from his waist.

When Keano’s owner, Sarah James (30), re-homed him six months ago, his unhealthy diet and lack of exercise had caused his weight to soar. She says: “The whole family is thrilled Keano has won Pet Fit Club. He’s like a different dog, he has so much more energy and seems to enjoy life a lot more!”

Second Place
Seven-year-old, Alfie, from Edinburgh
German Shepherd Alfie’s owner, Helen Smith, admits she used to spoil her beloved pet. He used to enjoy munching his way through biscuits, toast, cheese and the family’s leftovers – on top of his daily large tin of dog food.

When he enrolled in Pet Fit Club he weighed 57.3kg, making him around 55% overweight. He’s now lost an incredible 10.8kg! That’s 19% of his bodyweight and six inches from his waist.

Third Place
Thirteen-year-old cat, Tinks, from Gillingham
Overweight cat Tinks used to weigh 9.8kg making him around 96% overweight. When his owner, Bruce Brine, adopted him the stray kitty was being fed by four different neighbours!

During his 100 day diet and exercise programme the portly puss has lost nearly a kilogram and two inches from his waist!

PDSA Senior veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, who was on the judging panel, says: “All of the pets that took part in this year’s Pet Fit Club will reap the benefits of a healthier and happier life.

“PDSA’s data showed a worrying nine per cent rise in canine obesity last year. As with humans, obesity in pets is associated with diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and other potentially life-threatening conditions. It is an owner’s responsibility to ensure their pet gets a healthy diet and the right exercise; Keano and his owner are living proof that this can be done.”

PDSA Pet Fit Club has now been running four years. In that time PDSA vets have helped the finalists shed an incredible 94kg (approx 207Ib or a staggering 14 and a half stone), equivalent to:
• Chris Hoy, Olympic cyclist (who weighs 92kg)
• Two Great Danes (each weigh approximately 50kg)
• 235 tins of dog food (400g each)

Here are the results for the runner’s up in this year’s PDSA Pet Fit Club competition:
• Five-year-old Beagle, Toby, from Liverpool. His starting weight of 22.8kg made him around 63% overweight. Following his 100 day diet and exercise programme, Toby has lost 3.7kg and four and a half inches from his waist.
• Thirteen-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Paddy, from Wolverhampton. Her starting weight of 6kg made her around 100% overweight. Paddy has now lost nearly a kilogram and three inches from her waist!
• Two-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bo, from Gateshead. His starting weight of 19.75kg made him around 147% overweight. After taking part in Pet Fit Club, Bo has now lost over 2.5kg and over two and a half inches from his waist.

Other pet owners interested in helping their furry friends lose weight should visit www.pdsa.org.uk/obesity where they can download copies of PDSA’s A Healthy Shape leaflet and watch PDSA PetCasts on checking your pet’s shape. Copies of leaflets can also be obtained by calling 0800 731 2502 or from PDSA charity shops and PetAid hospitals nationwide.