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A cat who went missing from her home in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia was discovered more than 1,700 miles away in a shipping container in Brisbane, Queensland.
Pippa became trapped in the container when a neighboring family had their belongings taken away for transport for a cross-country move traversing Australia’s dry interior.
“I got call from my former neighbor, ‘Hi, this is Jason, we’ve found your cat in our container,’” petmom Rebecca Schilling told 9News for their report on the story.
The shipping container was sealed on February 20 and reopened on April 10.
“When I first opened the door there was poo, cat hair and the smell of vomit and cat urine,” said Jason King, the Schillings’ former neighbor.
“I climbed up over things and I found our expensive mattress had cat urine and vomit all over it.
“I took everything out and sure enough behind the very last thing I found the cat.
“I was surprised to find it alive… It was really light and bony. You could see its skeleton and its spine.”
Despite her extended period of deprivation, Pippa is said to have made a good recovery from dehydration and severe weight loss. As many animal lovers know, cats can suffer serious organ damage in such circumstances. She has spent several weeks recovering in the care of the Animal Welfare League of Old., where her medical care has been overseen by veterinarian Heday Nakayimato.
Pippa has been transferred to a foster home following her several weeks in the care of the shelter’s vet staff.
“I was delighted that I knew where she was [after hearing from Jason King] but I was initially concerned she was really suffering and might need to be put down,” Rebecca said.
Rebecca had searched for Pippa and had posted her photo and missing cat info online. While relieved to know what had happened to her missing cat, she was not sure whether Pippa would survive or could travel back home.
Rebecca’s daughter Emily just wants to have her beloved kitty back home.
“Emily was elated when we found out she was safe. ‘When can we get her home, when can we get her home?’”
“One of my big concerns is the cost and the potential trauma on her flying again after [seven] weeks in a shipping container,” Rebecca said.
“It was Emily’s birthday the other day and she said, ‘The only thing I’d want is my cat home.’
“She doesn’t know that I’m thinking about bringing her home. I’m trying to keep it a surprise for her.”
“She’s a tough little cat, I’d like to know how many lives she’s got left,” Rebecca said.
Watch the video report on Pippa’s story:
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