If you've been by the Sequoia Humane Society Pet Adoption Center lately you have, no doubt, noticed that we have the biggest cats you've ever seen. I mean BIG! Many of our cats are in the 15-20 pound range. Most are husky, strong, and in excellent shape since they get daily exercise in one of our roomy cat condos. Others are just plain - there's no nice way to say this - porky! I have been trying to get the staff to cut back on their rations - just a little - but it's not working. Like most pet guardians, our staff can't bear the looks of feigned starvation on the cats' faces when the food ration is cut.

According to a recent study by The National Academy of Science, one quarter of all dogs and cats in the Western world are now seriously overweight. The causes will sound familiar to any person fighting the battle of the bulge: too many snacks and too little exercise. The fact that food chemists have made commercial pet foods that are both nutritious and tasty also contributes to the problem.

The Academy poured through thousands of scientific papers on dog and cat nutrition to reach this conclusion and to develop guidelines to help veterinarians and pet owners determine when an animal is overweight. Their major finding: If a pet looks overweight, it is!

Unless we want to start sending our dogs and cats to expensive health clubs for pets - complete with personal trainers to provide encouragement and define a regimen that targets those extra-flabby areas - we, the pet guardians of America, need to exercise a little tough love. Cut back on the treats and rations. Get off the couch, take up a leash and explore the neighborhood with Marmaduke. With any luck at all, we'll all lose a little pork!