Cat found on freighter from Philippines to LA

[July 31, 2013]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A 4-year-old cat that stowed away in a container ship headed from Manila, Philippines, to Los Angeles is gaining weight and getting stronger after the trip without food or water left it near death.

Los Angeles County animal control director Marcia Mayeda says the orange and white female cat was weak and frail after the 7,300-mile trip. But after two weeks of treatments, the feline is in fair condition.

Hospital staff named the cat Pinay (pin-EYE'), a common name for a female Filipino.

The cat has cleared quarantine but needs to be adopted into a calm home because she is still skittish. Potential adopters can email [e-mail].

A year ago, a kitten named Ni Hao (NEE' how) survived a freighter trip from China and was placed in a home.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.