Shelter worker finds empty box with a hole — then hears a meow just in time
A cat was discovered in a precarious situation — thanks to a well-timed meow — after he was left outside of an Illinois shelter.
According to Paws Chicago, Rowan, a sweet but ill cat, was dropped off in a box, but he managed to chew his way out.
“One of our staff members pulled into the parking lot of Chicago Animal Care & Control and saw a box abandoned outside. Expecting a cat, she took a look only to find a large hole in the bottom of the box,” Paws Chicago said in a Dec. 16 Instagram post.
“Then, she heard meowing. Hiding from underneath a nearby car, Rowan spoke up at the perfect time to be rescued.”
Rowan was discovered in bad shape and in need of aid.
“CACC turned out to be a short stop for Rowan, because he became a PAWS pet shortly after! He was dehydrated, covered in flea dirt, and coming down with what we were about to find out was a very severe respiratory infection,” the shelter continued.
Photos and videos in the post show a very affectionate, yet sick, cat who adores being vocal.
“In addition to antibiotics, Rowan needed a nebulizer treatment 3 times a day, IV fluids, and had to be tube fed when he was feeling so sick he stopped eating altogether. But even when he didn’t feel like a meal, he always leaned into a cuddle and worked up a purr for some company.”
While Rowan isn’t ready to go to a forever home just yet, he’s breathing a lot better.
“Rowan’s finally back to full health and getting ready to go to our Adoption Center, and we hope you’ll keep pets in need like him in mind this holiday season,” the shelter said.
For more information on adoptable pets, visit the shelter’s website.
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Shelter worker finds empty box with a hole — then hears a meow just in time."