This Thursday, April 19, 2012 photo provided by the Santa Fe Animal Shelter Meow, a 2-year-old tabby tops the scale at over 39 pounds at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter in Santa Fe, N.M.. (AP Photo/Santa Fe Animal Shelter, Ben Swan)SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A cat that got national attention for tipping the scales at 39 pounds has died.
The Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society said Monday that the orange and white tabby named Meow died over the weekend, likely from complications from his morbid obesity.
Meow, who was between 2 and 5 years old, was taken to the shelter last month after his 87-year-old owner could no longer take care of him.
The shelter put Meow on a diet and posted all his weigh-ins on a Facebook page that got national attention.
Meow had lost 2 pounds and was doing well when he began having breathing problems Wednesday.
Despite constant attention, and medical testing and treatment, Meow died on Saturday.
Shelter Director Mary Martin says the entire staff is devastated.