Refer China: From China to US, Would You Survive What This Stowaway Cat Did?

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What Happens When a Cat Stows Away from China to the U.S.?

In June, a small cat made an extraordinary journey across the globe, unintentionally becoming a "stowaway" in a shipping container traveling from China to the United States. The kitten, later nicknamed "the stowaway" by rescuers, miraculously survived three weeks without food or water, finally being discovered in Oakdale, Minnesota.

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According to the Northwoods Humane Society and Companion Animal Control, the kitten likely stayed alive by drinking condensation from the walls of the container and feeding on any rodents it could find. When she was found, the young cat was severely dehydrated, emaciated, and terrified of humans. She weighed only 3.2 pounds, far below the average weight for a healthy kitten.

After discovery, the kitten—tentatively referred to as Xiao Mao (Mandarin for "little cat")—was transferred to Pet Haven in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, she entered the Wallflowers program, a special facility for shy or traumatized animals needing time to adjust. She has since been placed in a foster home, where she's undergoing physical and emotional rehabilitation, learning to trust humans again and preparing for eventual adoption.

Pet Haven staff, including manager Kerry D'Amato, described the cat's initial condition, "She was just skin and bones, and clearly starving. Honestly, we were amazed she was still alive," Kerry recalled. "She was severely dehydrated. She would drink and drink and drink. We couldn't even touch her at first—she hissed and lashed out whenever we came close."

The team followed a careful refeeding plan to avoid overloading her fragile organs, slowly introducing a mix of dry and wet food. Now, Xiao Mao has reached a healthy weight of 8 pounds—within the normal range for cats her age.

Xiao Mao is not just recovering—she's thriving. Staff say she's even learning English. "She definitely knows the word treat, and she's figured out come, too," said Kerry. "When you say it, she runs right over. She's eager to learn!"

The little cat has also begun enjoying toys, especially a wand toy she loves to chase, and she watches the world go by from her favorite window perch. She now accepts treats from people's hands, a major step in building trust.

To support her social development, rescuers introduced her to two neutered male cats. One of them, a gray and white tabby named Prince, has become her close companion. The two are spending 2 to 6 weeks in the same room to acclimate to shared spaces, human interaction, and domestic life.

The plan is for Xiao Mao and Prince to move into a foster home together, where they'll continue to bond and socialize for 6 to 12 weeks. After that, the organization hopes to find them a permanent, loving home—ideally together.

Social media has erupted in admiration for the kitten's story. One commenter wrote: "This life is so resilient! No one can resist such an adorable creature." Another added: "It's a miracle. She's stronger than most people I know."

Source: US TODAY, WEIBO