Tabby cat
IN PHOTO: "Zane," a tabby cat up for adoption listens to books read by Trey Douglas and Cassandra Kraus during "The Book Buddies Program" at the Animal Rescue League of Berks County in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania February 11, 2014. Children in grades 1-8 read to the cats as a way to improve their reading skills and gain confidence. The shelter animals can be a non-evaluative presence that can provide support and comfort to participants without judging them. Students showed sustained focus and maintained a higher state of awareness, as well as improved attitudes toward school, according to researchers at Tufts University. Photo taken February 11, 2014. Reuters/Mark Makela

A tabby cat in Darwin, Australia, had gone missing but was later found inside a container truck. Pippa, the cat, survived 49 days while aboard the travelling truck, according to a 9 News report.

Pippa’s owner, Rebecca Schilling, received a call from her former neighbour, Jason King, telling her that Pippa had been found in container used to transport King’s belongings. As King opened the container on April 10, he found Pippa very much alive, but not in good condition. King told News 9 that he discovered cat hair, poop, and the smell of cat urine and vomit when he opened the container.

The container was sealed on February 20 and transported over 3,000 kilometres from Darwin to Brisbane. It contained some of King’s belongings that Schilling had sent over to his new home in Brisbane.

According to the news report, the cat may have found its way inside the container when it was left open. "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," said Schilling.

Pippa was all skin and bones when King found him. After 49 days of travelling without food and water, the cat suffered from weight loss and dehydration. While Schilling was ecstatic to know that Pippa had been found, she was still concerned about its health.

The Animal Welfare League of Queensland, or AWLQ, took custody of Pippa and nurtured her back to health for several weeks. Now Pippa is being cared for in a foster home.

Schilling and her 10-year-old daughter Emily were relieved to know Pippa has been found. Schilling was undecided whether to have Pippa fly back home or permanently rehomed in Brisbane, but she plans to have her back as a surprise for Emily’s birthday.

According to Brooke Whitney, spokeswoman for ALWQ, the story of Pippa should be a good reminder that pet owners should have their pets microchipped and make sure that the details are updated. News 9 reports that arrangements have been made to reunite Pippa to her owners in Darwin.

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