Now she’s looking for a home where she can bloom 🌸
Cat Rescued After Surviving 7,000-Mile Journey Hidden in Shipping Container
Employees in Minnesota were unloading a shipping container from China when a crate suddenly shifted, startling them. Quickly, they shut the container to prevent whatever was inside from escaping. To their surprise, the mysterious stowaway was a cat trapped inside the container for nearly 7,000 miles.
Dawn Danneker, a transporter for Companion Animal Care and Control, was called in to rescue the frightened feline. The cat had hidden beneath a heavy 20-foot wooden pallet, and Danneker’s tools weren’t long or narrow enough to reach her. Moving the crate was impossible, even with a forklift, due to its extreme weight.
Concern grew as the cat had likely spent three weeks locked inside the shipping container without easy access to food or water. With temperatures soaring to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, her survival was at risk. Danneker and the team created a makeshift barrier to let fresh air cool the container and set humane traps.
At 5:30 a.m. the next day, the cat was finally trapped. Danneker described her as “very small” and emaciated but still alive. She likely survived by catching rodents and drinking condensation drops inside the container. “Our theory is she was in good condition when she entered the container, but barely made it through,” Danneker said.
Terrified from her ordeal, the cat didn’t want to be handled initially. She was taken to the Northwoods Humane Society (NHS) for a full health check and some much-needed care. The staff named her Stowaway.
“She has been through a lot,” Danneker said. “It’s been a rough month for her.” Now, Stowaway is in the loving care of a foster home through Pet Haven of Minnesota. She is part of their Wallflower program, designed for shy or traumatized animals needing extra patience to heal.
Kerry Damato from Pet Haven told The Dodo, “She’s still pretty scared and shut down, but she’s making progress. We’re going to help her bloom.”
This inspiring animal rescue story from Minnesota highlights the resilience of animals and the dedication of wildlife and pet rescue teams to give every creature a second chance.Cat Rescued After Surviving 7,000-Mile Journey Hidden in Shipping Container
Employees in Minnesota were unloading a shipping container from China when a crate suddenly shifted, startling them. Quickly, they shut the container to prevent whatever was inside from escaping. To their surprise, the mysterious stowaway was a cat trapped inside the container for nearly 7,000 miles.
Dawn Danneker, a transporter for Companion Animal Care and Control, was called in to rescue the frightened feline. The cat had hidden beneath a heavy 20-foot wooden pallet, and Danneker’s tools weren’t long or narrow enough to reach her. Moving the crate was impossible, even with a forklift, due to its extreme weight.
Concern grew as the cat had likely spent three weeks locked inside the shipping container without easy access to food or water. With temperatures soaring to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, her survival was at risk. Danneker and the team created a makeshift barrier to let fresh air cool the container and set humane traps.
At 5:30 a.m. the next day, the cat was finally trapped. Danneker described her as “very small” and emaciated but still alive. She likely survived by catching rodents and drinking condensation drops inside the container. “Our theory is she was in good condition when she entered the container, but barely made it through,” Danneker said.
Terrified from her ordeal, the cat didn’t want to be handled initially. She was taken to the Northwoods Humane Society (NHS) for a full health check and some much-needed care. The staff named her Stowaway.
“She has been through a lot,” Danneker said. “It’s been a rough month for her.” Now, Stowaway is in the loving care of a foster home through Pet Haven of Minnesota. She is part of their Wallflower program, designed for shy or traumatized animals needing extra patience to heal.
Kerry Damato from Pet Haven told The Dodo, “She’s still pretty scared and shut down, but she’s making progress. We’re going to help her bloom.”
This inspiring animal rescue story from Minnesota highlights the resilience of animals and the dedication of wildlife and pet rescue teams to give every creature a second chance.