Stray Cat from China Found in Shipping Container in Minnesota

In an extraordinary incident, animal control officials in the Midwest responded to a call that left them astounded after nearly 15 years in the field—a stray cat that had traveled from China. The Companion Animal Control, serving various counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, reported that the cat was discovered inside a shipping container, which had made a long journey across the Pacific Ocean before reaching a business in Oakdale.

The workers who were unloading the container were taken aback when they found the malnourished cat hiding beneath a pallet, having survived a three-week ordeal in a sealed environment. It is believed that the cat managed to stay alive by drinking condensation and possibly preying on rodents within the container. Upon her discovery, she was in critical condition, suffering from severe dehydration and being dangerously underweight.

“This cat is nothing short of a miracle,” said the animal control team, reflecting on the unusual circumstances of this finding in a post shared on Facebook. With patience and the use of a humane trap, the team successfully rescued the frightened animal, who is now under the care of the Northwoods Humane Society, receiving medical care to help her regain her health.

Named Stowaway by the shelter staff, the cat is on the mend and, once fully recovered, will be ready for adoption. The animal control office engaged with its online followers, asking for name suggestions, where contributors suggested names like Plum Blossom, symbolizing perseverance in Chinese culture, and Carmen, referencing the adventurous spirit of the cat’s journey.