When travelers look up things to do in Chania, Crete, the usual recommendations include wandering the charming Old Town, exploring the Venetian Fortress and bustling port, or taking a scenic boat trip along the coast. But recently, a new—and unusual—attraction went viral: the so-called “world’s fattest cat,” a plump stray whose growing fame drew crowds not for her wellbeing, but for likes and views.
The 4-year-old black-and-white feline, affectionately dubbed “Chonkus Maximus” by social media fans, roamed the streets of Chania under the care of a few locals. Soon, tourists flocked from many parts of the world to spot her, sharing videos of themselves petting and feeding her, turning the cat into an internet celebrity.
On TikTok alone, one influencer with nearly 5 million followers documented the chase to find Chonkus, noting that “there were like 15 other people looking for this cat lol. We all teamed up.”
@papfl3ss When in Chania… Chonkus Maximus #chania #chonkusmaximus #cretegreece #greece #catsoftiktok ♬ un homme et une femme – 💌
But the online fascination masked a troubling reality. While thousands engaged with the cat as a fun and quirky tourist activity, genuine concern for her welfare was largely absent. Comments on social media ranged from bemused to critical:
“Let him be, he’s existing.”
“Human race is gone, fly to Crete to see a cat, you kidding me?”
“This cat needs someone who cleans him, puts him on a diet, and offers safety. With this level of popularity, the cat will DIE by next year.”
Despite daily visitors leaving treats and petting her, none stepped up to offer the cat a safe home or professional care. The cat became less of a living creature and more of a social media spectacle—an object of vanity for clicks and impressions.
Local animal welfare groups and volunteers, eventually intervened, shocked by the neglect hidden behind the viral fame. In a pointed Facebook statement by the group “Save Animals Chania” condemned the behavior of visitors:
“This cat is not decoration for your holiday. She is not a backdrop for your photos or a ‘funny’ figure for your stories. She is a suffering creature with health problems. Instead of stopping to care, you chased her with cameras and phones, driven by your insatiable hunger for likes.”
They continued:
“You terrorized her. You stole her peace, invading her space and life. You turned her into a spectacle, an object, a ‘curious’ attraction of your vanity. Where is your humanity? Where is your empathy? Where is your responsibility toward a defenseless creature? You didn’t see a cat — you saw an opportunity for exposure. Not to save, but to gain. Clicks. Impressions. Numbers. Image.”
Thanks to the rescue efforts, the cat, weighing 10.4 kg, was taken in for immediate care. She was given a thorough health check, treated for her obesity, groomed to relieve discomfort from her thick fur, and placed in a loving foster home. Now renamed and on a special diet, she is slowly recovering and adapting to a safer, healthier life.
For those moved by the story and wanting to help, the local animal welfare association has provided contact details and ways to support their work in Crete.
