DOES your pet need a pep talk when it comes to health and fitness?

Time is running out for entries to a pet fit club which helped a Dorchester cat go from massive moggy to fine feline last year.

Fat cat Ulric slimmed down when owner Jan Mitchell enrolled him in to the PDSA Pet Fit Club.

Now organisers are looking for more pets from across West Dorset who need to shape up. Ulric, a Norwegian forest cat, weighed in at two stone, with a waist measurement of nearly 70cm.

His story hit headlines across the world after he featured in the Echo last June.

Owner Jan said Ulric, who is nearly 10, was like ‘a different cat’.

She added: “We have still got him on the diet now. He is definitely not nearly as lethargic as he used to be and he plays a lot more now.

“I would definitely encourage pet owners to sign up if they’re worried about their pet’s weight.

“It makes you realise the impact it can have on them especially as they get older and they can become more susceptible to arthritis and things.”

PDSA senior vet Elaine Pendlebury said: “Take-aways, biscuits, chips and even alcohol – are all fuelling an ongoing obesity crisis for UK pets.”

According to the veterinary charity, more than 10million pets are getting fatty treats, due to owners sharing their own unhealthy eating habits with their pets in a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to make them happy.

Elaine said: “Around 2.5million dogs – one in three – and more than two million cats – one in four – are currently overweight and not only could they have their lives cut short, they will also have a drastically reduced quality of life in some cases.”

To enrol your pet, visit pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub before Friday.