Cat Hitches a 6,400-Mile Ride to L.A. on a Freighter

Byline: Associated Press

Cat Hitches a 6,400-Mile Ride to L.A. on a Freighter

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 4-year-old cat that stowed away in a container ship headed from Manila, Philippines, to Los Angeles is gaining weight and getting stronger, after the long trip without food or water left it near death.

The domestic shorthair cat was discovered inside a freight container July 16, at a business in the City of Industry. Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control director Marcia Mayeda said the orange and white female cat was weak and frail after the long trip.

“It is amazing that this cat could survive the almost 6,400 nautical mile journey by sea without food or water. She has been closely monitored and cared for by our medical team, and is getting stronger and putting on weight,” Mayeda said.

After two weeks of treatments, the feline has made significant strides in her physical condition, according to the department’s veterinary staff. “She has been closely monitored and cared for by our medical team, and is getting stronger and putting on weight,” Mayeda said.

Hospital staff members named the cat “Pinay,” a common name for a Filipino girl. “We wanted to give her a name that kept her close to her roots,” said Dr. Maria Sabio-Solacito, the department’s senior veterinarian and a native Filipino.

The cat has cleared quarantine but needs to be adopted into a calm home, because she is still skittish, according to Mayeda. “We will continue to provide the best care for Pinay until we can send her off to her new home.

“It is important that potential adopters or foster families have considerable experience dealing with skittish cats,” Mayeda added. “Pinay has been through a lot and needs a calm, loving family to help her transition.”

Those interested in adopting Pinay can send an email to daccevents@animalcare.lacounty.gov.

A year ago, a kitten named Ni Hao survived a freighter trip from China and was later placed in a new home.

— Additional information from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control was included in this article.

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