Canadian Border Agents Stunned By Unexpected Find After Peeking Into Mysterious Box From China
There are certain things you'd expect to find in a box shipped internationally: perhaps some souvenirs, gadgets, or even some questionable novelty items. But a live, blinking cat? Not on anyone's checklist.
That’s precisely what happened at the Vancouver International Mail Centre when border agents peeked into a box from China and were met with a pair of golden eyes staring right back at them.
It was Precious Cargo—a surprise passenger who turned a routine package inspection into a fur-filled adventure. The box, slightly damaged with a hole on the side, was enough to raise suspicions—but nobody was prepared for what they found.
A gorgeous calico cat, wide-eyed and understandably terrified, had somehow found herself on an international journey—and the border agents quickly sprang into action.
They managed to coax the bewildered kitty into a kennel and provided her with much-needed water. Thirsty and scared, but thankfully unharmed, the mysterious traveler awaited her next destination: the BC SPCA, where a team of caring professionals would step in to unravel the rest of her curious tale.
It didn’t take long for the BC SPCA team to fall for the beautiful stowaway. They named her Precious Cargo—a fitting name for such an unexpected and priceless arrival.
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From China, with love
Meet Precious Cargo, the ultimate globe-trotting kitty
But Precious wasn’t out of the woods yet. She was dehydrated, underweight, overwhelmed, and needed some serious TLC.
The team wasted no time getting her to an emergency veterinarian. At the vet's office, she was treated for dehydration and monitored closely for any foreign diseases or parasites she might have picked up during her wild ride across the world.
With fluids, medications, and lots of love, Precious slowly began to find her footing – but not her appetite. The poor kitty was so scared and confused that it took a lot of coaxing, along with a little medication, to get her interested in food again.
While Precious recovered and started to trust the dedicated team looking after her, the mystery of her journey remained unsolved.
Watch this jet-setting feline’s purr-fectly wild journey from stowaway to Canadian superstar
How long had she been in that box? Was she a stowaway by choice, or was she shipped for some inexplicable reason? The hole in the box suggested she may have climbed in herself, but whether that was in China, during a stopover, or even in Canada— “no one knows for sure.
Thankfully, Precious Cargo’s story didn’t just end at the border. After a week of recuperation, she moved into a foster home. And, as is often the case with animals who steal hearts, her foster mom quickly became her forever mom.
Now, this little globetrotter is finally enjoying the simple pleasures of home life – belly rubs, cozy naps, and lots of love.
Want to make a difference? Visit the BC SPCA website today!
If you want to support other animals like Precious Cargo, who find themselves in need of a helping hand (or paw), visit the BC SPCA website.
Whether she snuck into the box herself or was somehow sent on a cross-continental journey, we may never know. One thing’s for sure, though: Precious Cargo’s journey was one for the books—and it ended with a purr-fect happy ending.
