Cat survives monthlong trip in crate

AP via CNN ^ | 4/16/2004 | AP Staff

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

TAMPA, Florida (AP) -- A business owner opening a shipment of merchandise from China got an additional item he didn't expect -- a severely undernourished cat.

The female cat, named China by animal service staff members, tipped the scale at just over 3 pounds after being trapped in the container for the nearly monthlong trip.

Norman Goldberg, owner of Quality Discount Cages, said he discovered the cat a week ago when he received the shipment of bird cages at his warehouse. Several cardboard boxes holding cages had been chewed up.

"I opened it up, and out jumped the cat," he said.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

[mean lunch lady]

Glad to see he made it, I admire cats for their sheer determination. Ever watch one waiting for a bug to come out from under the washing machine? They will sit for hours. Luckily my cat lives in Florida, the bug capital of the USA
so he has plenty to keep him busy in the garage in spite of the efforts of **** Pest Control (another mis-named agency, like the term Help Desk or Immediate Care Center). If I ever opened a care facility I would call it the "We'll get to you when we can Center, at least it's honest.

[Salamander]

Considering where it came from, I hope they're checking it for
-every- possible disease it could potentially introduce into this country.

I don't see how it survived that long without "any" water.

[JeeperFreeper]

How many of the 9 lives did that consume???

[mean lunch lady]

How many of the 9 lives did that consume??? Hopefully only one- we don't know how many he already used up before this trip.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Interesting, I wonder where it got water. There's no way it could live for a month with no water at all. Maybe she was recycling.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Related thread

[RonHolzwarth]

I once had a horrible accident - I locked up one of my cats in part of the house, where there was NO food, and NO water for her!

I still feel horrible about it - she could see the other cats feasting on the 25 pound bag of food left open for them, and hear the drip of the kitchen facet (it leaked into a bowl, handy that way) for TEN DAYS!

And when I came home, heard her cries, and quickly released her from that accidental confinement, between food and water - she headed for the FOOD! Later, she headed for a big, long drink of water.

She had only one urination apparently, and no bowel movements. Her body just shut down, it must be some sort of biological mechanism.

She didn't look like she had lost much weight.

She never seemed to really trust me after that. I still feel awful about it.

[Graymatter]

>>my cat lives in Florida, the bug capital of the USA

Oh yeah! There's those giant palmetto bugs and those quick little green lizards too. Cat heaven.

[mean lunch lady]

Yes, during lizard season, we have to look before we walk out there because there will be little green (or actually kind of brown after a while) carcasses on the floor - in front of the door, of course, so we can't miss them.

[mean lunch lady]

I'm glad your cat was OK but just remember - they are masters of the guilt trip, too. If you accidentally step on them, even when it's their fault for running in front of you, they will act like you have been hatching evil plots against them for their whole lives. Until they want something from you.

[Salamander]

Exactly what I thought.
Or wet food, such as canned stuff was put in there and she ate it all and left no evidence.
It makes me nervous, considering what PETA said about hoping hoof-and-mouth would come here.

China has a lot of "funny" diseases.

[Salamander]

Accidents happen and cats seem to be able to find the worst places to hide.
I once went into a house to rescue 2 cats whose owners had moved away and just left them there.
I suppose they thought the cats would somehow survive and the next tenants would keep them.
Turns out I was right as the house went unoccupied for several months before the new renters came in.

I'm not a "cat person" but I still can't stand to see them suffering.
I kept them here for a while and then the pretty little cat sisters went to a farmer's wife who just loved them....:)

[myprecious]

Here is one of my favorite "borrowed" items from an unknown Freeper:

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from occasionally ruining a piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded; must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair; must try this on their bed.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was .....Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however, it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid? My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the aroma of some of their favorite foods. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

[myprecious]

Here is the other version:

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY

Day 180

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 am - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day 181

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day 182

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

1:30 pm - ooooooo. bath. bummer.

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

[mean lunch lady]

Thanks for the cat and dog diaries.
ROTFLOL! You have obviously have an appreciation for cats. And an understanding of their evil ways. LOL