May 12

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- After shop owner opened a crate from China and discovered a cat inside, coming up with a name for the furry stowaway was easy.

China the cat had chewed through one of the boxes before it left Shanghai on April 3 and spent at least 35 days on a ship inside the container filled with motorcycle gear.

"I saw something in the container move," he said. "I turned up the headlights on the fork lift to get a better look."

That was when he saw the cat cowering in a corner, weak but still alive. The owner of Olympia Moto Sports in Hendersonville, said he and a co-worker called the county's animal services when the cat would not let them near.

A co-worker plans to adopt China, as animal service workers are calling her, if she checks out with a veterinarian. North Carolina law says any animal coming into the country must be vaccinated and quarantined for six months.

How could China survive for so long on no food and water?

"Usually we say that animals can only survive a few weeks without food and only a few days without water," said Raleigh veterinarian. "The theory is that cats have such good kidneys their bodies adjust to the lack of water and somehow they received small amounts of moisture from condensation."

go

the poor kitty kat

im glad its alive

i hope it goes to a happy home

Thats one lucky kitty cat....nine lives indeed

So the kitten was leaving China?

*shuts mouth*

I love cats so I hope China gets a good new home and wish her good luck.

Survived 35 days in a crate... time for 6 months in quarantine! aren't you having fun little kitty??

Curiousity didn't kill the cat this time... you stay classy San Diego!! (sorry, couldn't help but picture ron burgandy saying that curiousity line)

Least she won't end up on anyone's dinner plate