In an unlikely story of survival, a kitty being affectionately called Stowaway, survived more than 25 days in a shipping container. She survived with no food and only condensation to drink. By all accounts she should have died on the way, but here she is!
She is severely emaciated, was terribly dehydrated and is starting to recover in strict quarantine.
The six-year-old cat was trapped inside a 40ft shipping container for over three weeks without access to food or water travelling from Shenzhen, China to the Port of Vancouver and then up to Prince George.
“I knew right away when I heard that this cat had spent weeks in a container that she not only had an amazing story but also that she would require extensive care and rehabilitation to recover from her ordeal,” says SPCA North Cariboo District animal centre services manager Alex Schare.
Staff at a Prince George auto glass distribution company found the cat amongst the pallets, shredded cardboard and styrofoam inside the container. It’s believed that she survived by drinking condensation that had formed on the walls.
Animal control officers brought the extremely weak animalher to the North Cariboo District SPCA emaciated and dehydrated. The SPCA is following strict CFIA quarantine conditions to ensure the animal poses no threat to animals and people in Canada. The cat was taken to the local veterinary hospital where she weighed in at just 1.5kg, was put on fluids and monitored in isolation from other patients.
“We rushed her to the vet because she was in such poor condition that we knew she would require intensive veterinary care for an extended period of time to regain her strength,” says Schare.
The cat is being fed small portions of food to ensure that her body adjusts properly and to avoid having her develop refeeding syndrome, which can be life-threatening. She has also undergone bloodwork and will receive a rabies vaccine when she is strong enough. The cat will remain in quarantine, separated from other animals, until two weeks after her vaccination.
She is very scared right now but staff are hopeful she will come around as she recovers from starvation and trauma.
Please help this little survivor start her new Canadian life by donating towards her around the clock care today.
Personal updates for Stowaway will be provided to anyone who donates to her campaign.
*Goal includes: surgery, medication, vaccinations, regular health check, and daily care for Stowaway until she’s ready for adoption. If her medical costs and cost of care is less than is raised in her name, additional funds will provide care for other animals