Kitten found shrink-wrapped to box after being shipped 500 miles

A kitten’s story of survival is being called a miracle.

"Joey" is just 8-weeks old, but already has the story of a lifetime. The animal was found in the back of a UPS truck, four days after he was shipped more than 500 miles from Chicago to Memphis, Tennessee.

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"Last week a UPS driver, who is a longtime client, brought him in and he was driving a load that had come in from Chicago," Dr. Carolyn McCutcheon with the Park Avenue Animal Clinic said. "The load had been packed about four days before."

"He heard something crying in the back, so he went in with a flashlight and found this kitten shrink-wrapped to the (package)."

The driver brought Joey to the clinic.

"I’m surprised he was alive," McCutcheon.

Things weren’t looking good for the kitten.

"He was pretty dehydrated and hungry," she said. "He was shrink-wrapped flat with his four legs out. So it took a while for his legs to work again and for him to move his head again."

The vets here can only speculate on Joey’s journey, but they do not believe it was animal abuse.

"Probably he was in the warehouse (when a machine) scared him (and) he ran up the (shrink wrap) and the machine just went around him and wrapped (him)," Dr. McCuthcheon said.

Joey is recovering well, but still shows signs of his traumatic experience.

"He still won't let us give him a bath and he still smells like plastic," said Dr. McCutcheon.

The tiny guy is recovering quickly, though, and has gained more than a pound in one week.

The animal hospital is looking to find Joey a forever home. Those interested in adopting him can call the hospital at 901-458-0863.

Cox Media Group