“They popped up, eager to get out of the box …”
On a rainy spring day in Missouri, what began as a routine walk for a Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) volunteer took a disturbing turn. While leading a shelter dog around the property, the volunteer noticed an unusual box left near the building—completely sealed with heavy tape.
“It caught their attention right away,” said Natalie Thomson, SRSL’s chief communications officer, in an interview with The Dodo. “There wasn’t even a single hole for air.”
Taped to the top of the box was a handwritten note that made the volunteer’s heart sink. The message read:
“Found two strays. They are about 4–5 months old. Sorry for just dropping them off, but I can’t keep them due to my apartment not allowing pets.”
Instantly, concern turned into urgency. With no ventilation and unknown contents, the box could be deadly. Shelter staff rushed it inside and carefully but quickly cut it open.
To their relief, instead of finding something tragic, two energetic cats sprang out.
“They jumped right out, clearly eager to be free,” Thomson said. “Despite everything, they were incredibly sweet right from the start.”
Both cats, young males around seven months old, were miraculously healthy. In honor of their cardboard confinement, the shelter named them Amazon and Prime.
After a thorough checkup, the cats were placed in the same foster home, where they’ve been adjusting well to the comforts of indoor life.
“They’re doing great!” said Thomson. “They’re learning how to be indoor cats together, and they’ve come a long way since that rainy day.”
Though shelter staff were saddened by the way the cats were abandoned, they’re thankful they were found in time—and excited to help them find the loving homes they deserve.
Amazon and Prime are now fully ready for adoption, and their future looks far brighter than the dark box they came in.