This was published 8 years ago
Pippa the cat survives 49 days in moving truck from Darwin to Brisbane
By Natalie Bochenski
A tabby cat has survived 49 days without food or water after getting trapped in a moving truck that was sent from Darwin to Brisbane.
Pippa sneaked into a packing crate which her owners' neighbour was using for a move, but the container was sealed on February 20 and sent on a journey of more than 3000 kilometres.
Despite having no supplies, Pippa survived the ordeal and was discovered by former neighbour Jason King as he opened up the container on April 10.
"When I first opened the door there was poo, cat hair and the smell of vomit and cat urine," Mr King told Channel 9.
AWLQ vet Hideyasu Nakayama with Pippa the miracle cat.Credit: Brittany Hazel
"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."
Owner Rebecca Shilling said she was stoked to receive a phone call telling her Pippa had been found, as she had given the cat up for dead.
"It turns out that she crawled into the container while it was sitting open in the cul-de-sac where we live, found a good spot and decided to have a good snooze," Ms Schilling said.
Pippa is recovering from her 2000km journey.Credit: Brittany Hazel
"I was delighted that I knew where she was but I was initially concerned she was really suffering and might need to be put down."
Luckily, Pippa was taken into care by the Animal Welfare League of Queensland, who provided her with plenty of love and food on her road back to health.
"Pippa spent some time in foster care with our Warra Shelter Vet to ensure she was in tip top shape to travel," AWLQ spokeswoman Brooke Whitney said.
"Pippa's story is a timely reminder to ensure your pet's microchip details are up to date to ensure you will always be reunited if they decide to go on an adventure."
Arrangements are now underway to reunite Pippa with her Darwin owner Ms Schilling and her daughter Emily.
"I'm so excited, I've been telling everyone, I can't explain in words how happy I am," Emily said.
"It's all I wanted for my birthday, so I got my wish."