Long-distance stray: Cat stows away in shipping container from China to Minnesota for three-week journey
The Companion Animal Control, which services counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, revealed last week that the feline survivor was discovered hidden inside a shipping container that had traveled thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean before arriving at a local business in Oakdale.
Workers unloading the container were shocked to find the emaciated cat tucked beneath a pallet. The shipping container had been sealed for approximately three weeks.
Officials believe the cat survived the harrowing journey by drinking condensation and potentially feeding on rodents inside the container. By the time she was found, she was severely dehydrated and dangerously underweight.
'We've seen a lot over the years, but this was truly a first,' the animal control team said in a Facebook post. 'This cat is nothing short of a miracle.'
Using a humane trap and a dose of patience, animal control successfully rescued the frightened animal.
She is now in the care of the Northwoods Humane Society, where she is receiving medical attention and being nursed back to health.
The staff there named her Stowaway, WCCO reports.
Once Stowaway recovers, the globe-trotting feline will be ready for adoption.
The animal control office asked its followers for name suggestions in a June 5 Facebook post.
'(Plum) Blossom or Mei, it's a flower that symbolizes perseverance in the Chinese culture,' one contributor commented.
'Carmen! short for Carmen SanDiego, because where in the world will this lil lady be next?' another suggested.
A third person recommended, 'Mira, short for miracle.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Devon animal charity adapts to community needs
A Devon animal charity said it was spearheading change alongside others in the sector by adapting its model to match evolving community Green Animal Rescue (MGAR) said as part of celebrating its 60th anniversary it wanted to inspire a positive shift in perceptions for the animal rescue charity, which has Wingletang Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Tavistock, said it has rehomed more than 60,000 animals since Nigel Mason said: "Over the past 60 years, MGAR has significantly evolved its sector model in line with dramatic societal changes and demands." "When the charity was in its infancy, our model was based on fulfilling high demand; building centres that could take in lots of animals, generally located outside of towns to reduce noise and disruption," said Mr said that model worked about 60-years-ago but in the last 10 years, it has become less effective due to social media being a more attractive channel for people to find said: "What's more, the animal rescue charity sector isn't legally regulated, meaning anyone could set up an organisation, regardless of quality. "Worryingly, responsible rescue charities like ours have become a last resort for rehoming." Mr Mason said the Covid-19 pandemic also set the charity back and it was still "picking up the pieces" as people obtained pets that are now in its rescue centres due to owners not being able to care for said: "As a result, there's been a significant imbalance in the number of animals needing care and the number of appropriate rehomers."In response to these changes, we are transitioning to a new model. "While our core centres remain a key focus, we're also becoming far more integrated and visible among our communities through proactive engagement. "Animals are a huge part of communities, so getting to the heart of them is key."
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Kittens and mother cat abandoned in Wellingborough
A litter of five kittens and their mother have been taken into care after being abandoned outside a Northamptonshire were found at Croyland Road Nursery in Wellingborough on Tuesday, said local sanctuary Animals in Need, which will look after them until they are sanctuary's manager, Annie Marriott, said most of the animals were in good condition, but a couple of the kittens were "not as strong as they should be".The kittens are believed to be about four weeks old and will remain with their mum in a pen until they reach about 12 weeks of age. "It's a slow road to recovery until they're ready for rehoming," said Ms Marriott, who runs the site in Little ready, the kittens will be neutered, microchipped and offered for Marriott added: "Not a day passes when we don't get a call [to rescue] a stray dog, a rabbit, a cat. Cats are the main [animal]. It's just crazy." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Animal lover stops escaped piglet being run over
An animal lover has described how she prevented an escaped piglet from being run over after spotting it walking in the Knott was being given a lift from the airport when she spotted the pig near the Nottinghamshire village of managed to catch the piglet just before two cars and a motorbike sped past, then took the piglet home to her surprised the piglet is now being cared for at Brinsley Animal Rescue, where she will live with a pig who fell off the back of a slaughter lorry. "I have no idea why she [Felicity] got there or why she was there, I'm just glad she's safe," said Ms Knott."It was so lucky. I'm almost certain she would have been hit by something at some point." It was the early hours of the morning on 11 July when Ms Knott and her friend spotted the piglet."We just spotted her walking along, totally casual, and it was a bit of a shock," she said."It was one of those things where you look twice because you don't expect to see a piglet at that time of the day, walking around on her own."Fortunately, she already knew how to catch a pig, as she has 22 rescue pigs at home."We quickly put the hazards on and stopped the car, and as soon as we got hold of her and I had her in my arms, a motorbike and two cars sped past," she said."The amount of people that are like, 'How lucky is it that you of all people stopped and saw her at that time of the morning?' I'm so pleased that we did find her." Ms Knott named the piglet Felicity because it means lucky or fortunate, from the Latin word felicitas."She's definitely lucky isn't she?" she and her husband are both vegan and have a smallholding where they look after rescued farm they felt Felicity would need more space, as she will grow to be "huge" due to her therefore asked Brinsley Animal Rescue if they had space to look after Felicity, who is currently about five weeks old. Jon Beresford, co-founder of Brinsley Animal Rescue, said Felicity was enjoying her new life at the rescue centre."At the moment she's in a stable because she's too tiny, but we let her out under supervision and she just runs around, and she's so brave she will go up to all the animals, she'll go up to the ponies, she'll go up to the cows," he said."Being young she spends a lot of time sleeping, so we let her out and she'll run around, have a mad half hour and go barmy, and then fall asleep, and that's it for another few hours, and then she's back out again."Due to her age, Felicity is currently being hand-reared. When she is older she will live with a pig called Jemima, who born was on the back of a lorry while her pregnant mother was being taken for then fell off the lorry and was found on a dual carriageway."So when Felicity is big enough she'll be living with another escapee pig that was found running down the road," said Mr Felicity and Gracie are commercial pigs bred for meat, so escaping has saved their lives."Pigs are absolutely incredible creatures, they say pigs are - after dolphins and chimpanzees - the most intelligent animal," said Mr Beresford."Felicity has been saved from the factory-farmed industry, so will grow up and she will live a full life."
