A veterinary charity in Britain is holding a 100-day fitness contest for eight of the country's plumpest pets. Whichever animal achieves the biggest percentage weight loss and best sticks to its regimen will be the winner. Above, a veterinary nurse holds Tinks, a contender who tips the scales at 21 pounds.
The seven dogs and one cat, selected by the veterinary charity PDSA, are all more than 30 percent overweight and weigh a combined total of 421 pounds. The animals, which will be put on individual exercise programs, need to shed a total of 163 pounds to reach their ideal weight.
"Alongside their daily portions of pet food, owners often show their affection by giving unhealthy human treats such as cheese, buttered toast and biscuits. They don't realize they are actually killing their pets with kindness," said Sean Wensley, a veterinary surgeon at PDSA. (Source: Reuters)
