(Photo Credit: Alexandra Jursova via Getty)
Dr. William Powers has been the proud dad of four world record-breaking cats. But besides making headlines, the Michigan physician and his colossal cats have made a significant impact in their community.
About Dr. Power’s Record-Breaking Cats
Fenrir, a 2-year-old F2 Savannah cat, holds the title of the world’s tallest housecat, measuring 18.83 inches. And Altair, a silver Maine Coon, has a tail measuring 16.07 inches, the longest of any living domestic cat.
“He is a monster,” Powers told WDIV of Fenrir. “He’s a really good boy. You can hold him like a baby.”
“Everyone always thinks I gave them cat steroids or something, but no,” Powers said in an interview with The Detroit News. In addition to genes, he attributes his kitties’ size to a special diet, which includes meat, amino acids, and “kitty multivitamins,” among other elements.
Both cats are brothers of the previous Guinness record-holders for tallest domestic cat and longest domestic cat tail. Arcturus Aldebaran and Cygnus Regulus, also owned by Powers, died in a house fire in November 2017. The blaze nearly killed Powers as well, as he searched the burning home in an attempt to save his pets.
The experience devastated Powers and his wife, and Powers experienced a mental health crisis, causing him to lose his job.
“I just could not accept the level of grief I had. It broke me,” he told Medscape.
The doctor took 15 months to recover, during which time he attended therapy, traveled with his wife, and played video games. The couple also acquired four new cats. Eventually, he received clearance from his psychiatrist to return to work and did so with the encouragement of his former patients.
“They convinced me, like, we need you. You have a purpose,” he said.
Turning Tragedy Into a Dream Come True
Dr. Powers took the opportunity to start anew and opened a family medicine clinic of his own.
Powers Family Medicine focuses on caring for trans people, HIV-positive people, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
The clinic is video game-themed, with consoles in the waiting rooms and dance music playing throughout the day. Some of Powers’ seven cats roam the office, providing patients with emotional support.
“They’re cats with jobs,” Powers told The Detroit News of his feline friends. “They’re just giant cats with jobs, and they’re great at it.”
Powers’ cats have also helped him contribute to animal welfare charities. He initially sought titles for Arcturus and Cygnus because, at the time, he was president of Ferndale Cat Shelter. He used their status to raise about $40,000 for the nonprofit.
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