Sunday, August 4, 2013

STRAY CAT SURVIVES FLIGHT FROM MANILA TO LA





ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 07/31/2013 8:24 PM | Updated as of 08/01/2013 10:50 AM

MANILA - A stray cat from Manila survived an 11,000-kilometer journey inside a freight container and has been found in Los Angeles, California, according to US officials.

The 4-year-old female cat, nicknamed "Pinay"by staff at the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), was discovered on July 16 by employees of a private company that owned the shipment where the cat hid.

"The container arrived in Los Angeles aboard a ship en-route from Manila, Philippines to Los Angeles," the animal care office said in a statement.

"The cat was very weak and frail," DACC director Marcia Mayeda said.

The animal care agency described the cat as belonging to the orange-and-white Domestic Short Haired variety.
It has been brought to the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center's medical unit in LA.

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

The cat made full recovery and cleared quarantine, according to the DACC.

Dr. Maria Sabio-Solacito, DACC senior veterinarian and a native of the Philippines, explained the cat's nickname.

"We wanted to give her a name which kept her close to her roots," Sabio-Solacito said.

The animal care office has placed the cat for adoption.

"We will continue to provide the best care for Pinay until we can send her off to her new home,” Mayeda said. “It is important that potential adopters or foster families have considerable experience dealing with skittish cats. Pinay has been through a lot and needs a calm, loving family to help her transition."

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