The kitten "Xiao Mao" sheltered by a rescue organization in the US, is recovering health. Photo: the Weibo account of Vista see the world

A cat that was accidentally stowed away from China to Minnesota inside a shipping container is now adapting to life in the United States. It not only miraculously survived for three weeks without food or water, but also thrived with the help of animal rescue groups in the US, according to CBS News.

The cat, named "Xiao Mao," meaning "a little cat" in Putonghua, was deathly thin when it was brought to a shelter in the US, after being discovered in a shipping container, looking fearful of human contact, reported CBS News.

According to CBS News, the kitten was "really scared," said Renee Rude, executive director of the Minnesota-based rescue organization. "I can only imagine three weeks in a container without food or water. She must've been eating rodents and drinking condensation."

Rude called Xiao Mao's survival "incredible," describing it as a remarkable display of resilience. "It really is shocking that happened," she stated, per CBS News.

Now, Xiao Mao has made recovery. Xiao Mao has bonded with another rescued kitten, said Kerry D'Amato, executive director of another animal rescue organization, noting that they are expected to be up for adoption together in the coming months, the report said.

Global Times