Fatcats like this one have recently been the topic of much debate; even the staunchest of animal advocates are left wondering: should rescue programs consider compassionate euthanasia?
Fatcats (pinguis felis economicus) have long been the subject of jokes*; but it is only recently that both mainstream and specialty media have taken interest in the plight of the fatcat, once an issue reserved only for the ASPCA and related animal rights and protection groups. Pet advocates argue that these Fatcats lack normal instinctual regulation of consumption, thus qualify as evolutionarily challenged animal companions. Detractors say that the animals are just plain greedy.
The process of increasing public awareness has been slow; a January 2008 MSNBC article demonstrated the shady behavior of one food filching feline,** a June 2008 article showed our now-president pointing his finger at a related pussy.*** But it was not until January of 2009 that public awareness of the Fatcat’s sad existence reached its peak. Today, republicans and democrats, animal rights advocates and avid hunters alike are calling for accountability for this epidemic.
Unfortunately, the new movement contains many factions that have, thus far, been largely at cross purposes. Many, moroever, have placed blame on the Fatcats themselves, begging the question: regardless of how we define the problem, can we really expect personal responsibility from greedy, evolutionarily challenged animals?
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