A volunteer from Stray Rescue of St. Louis, a shelter in Missouri, was walking one of the dogs when something nearby made them stop cold. A sealed cardboard box sat close to the building, and something about it felt deeply wrong.
Fearing a living creature might be trapped inside, the volunteer rushed over to inspect it. On top of the box was a handwritten note that immediately caught their attention.
As they read the message, their heart sank. Without wasting a moment, they tore open the box, hoping it wasn’t too late to help whoever was inside.
A Desperate Discovery
The note revealed that someone had placed two young strays in the box. The volunteer could only pray that both animals were still alive.
“Found [two] strays. They are about 4-5 months old. Sorry for just dropping them off, but I can’t keep them due to my apartment not allowing pets,” the message read.
The box had been sealed shut with layers of tape, leaving almost no air inside. Panic set in as the volunteer realized how dangerous the situation was.
“The box was taped up so tightly that we rushed them inside and opened it as quickly as we could, worried that whoever was inside would have suffocated,” Natalie Thomson, the shelter’s chief communications officer, told The Dodo.
When the final strip of tape came off, two frightened cats jumped out. To everyone’s relief, both were alive, alert, and eager to stretch their legs after the terrifying ordeal.
The cats were remarkably calm and affectionate, as if they already knew they were finally safe. After a thorough checkup, veterinarians estimated they were around seven months old and in good health.
In a lighthearted moment, the staff named them Amazon and Prime, a playful nod to the box that brought them to safety.
Safe At Last
While the shelter team was heartbroken by how the cats had been abandoned, they were grateful that fate led them to the right place in time.
Soon after, a foster family stepped forward to take them in. Inside their new home, Amazon and Prime quickly adjusted, exploring every corner and learning what it means to be loved.
Now safe and cherished, the pair are waiting for a forever home where they will never have to experience fear again—only comfort, warmth, and care.
