25-pound abandoned cat being nursed back to health

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. — A 25-pound cat nicknamed Jabba that was abandoned at Scalloptown Park in East Greenwich on Sept. 11 after being let out of a black Toyota, according to a passer-by, was back at the North Kingstown Animal Hospital on Thursday.

After his five-day mandatory stay there by town ordinance to give the rightful owners a chance to claim him, he was transferred to East Greenwich Animal Protection League, where he stopped eating and drinking, and became dehydrated.

The cat, one of the largest ever seen at both facilities, is believed to be in his mid-teens, but otherwise has no thyroid or diabetic conditions.

Once he's treated again, he's expected to be transferred back to the Protection League where face-to-face adoption proceedings can begin, which may happen as early as this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The league wants candidates to print and fill out adoption papers from its website or Facebook page prior to arrival. There have already been dozens of inquiries, as far away as Europe, to take in the cat, which is being put on a prescription diet of donated nutrition food to help him shed 10 pounds.

Tammy Flanagan, director of the league, says Jabba deserves a good home and "could live to be 25" with many good years ahead of him.

Jabba had to be sedated upon initial arrival at the hospital so his long hair, matted with feces, could be removed.