On a seemingly calm Friday morning in Yakima, Washington, a shelter employee anticipated a stress-free day at work.
However, upon arriving at the Yakima Humane Society (YHS), he was met with an unexpected and unsettling sight. Sitting by the shelter’s entrance was a sealed cardboard box marked with a warning: “Keep Frozen: Contents Perishable.”
As other staff members arrived, they were momentarily aghast at the situation. Sadly, such incidents happen frequently, and they often have tragic outcomes.
Despite their fears of finding frozen puppies or kittens, the staff maintained their composure and carefully brought the box inside the shelter to unveil its contents.
A Sigh Of Relief
They set the box on a nearby table to peel away the layers and uncover what lay within.
As one team member carefully snipped away at the strong duct tape sealing the box, the tension in the air was palpable, each second heightening their anticipation.
Once the tape was finally removed, they slowly opened the box, and their worried expressions transformed into broad smiles as they discovered the contents inside.
Staring back at them from inside the box were two wide, curious eyes. It was a cat, and most importantly, she was alive and well.
“They were overjoyed to find an adult cat who was alive!” Kelli Peal, YHS’s adoption manager, shared with The Dodo.
To say they were happy would be an understatement – they were ecstatic to have saved an innocent life. It was a true moment of relief.
Heaps Of Love And Affection
While the shelter staff were uncertain about the circumstances surrounding the cat’s abrupt appearance, they speculated that the owner must have left her there during the night for some reason.
While they felt anger over this heartless act, the joy they derived from the cat’s adorable, trusting gaze ultimately prevailed.
Given the box’s instructions to “Keep Frozen,” they decided to name her Elsa, after the beloved character from the film “Frozen.”
Ensuring Elsa received top-notch care at the shelter was a priority since she truly deserved it. While waiting for medical staff, they placed her in her own kennel, where she had access to food and water.
After a thorough examination by the veterinarians, it was found that Elsa had a developing but treatable wound on her side, which necessitated her isolation until she fully healed.
During her recovery, the compassionate shelter staff showered her with affection and care, and this sweet girl quickly stole everyone’s hearts. The connection between Elsa and the YHS team was instant and profound.
“Elsa is a staff favorite!” Peal stated. “She is incredibly loving and will vocalize and lean against her kennel for attention.”
Regrettably, just as they began to grow attached to her, Elsa was ready to be sterilized, paving the way for her to find a forever home.
Wonderful News
Though the impending farewell brought sadness, all shelter staff felt overwhelming joy knowing that their “frozen girl” was on her way to a loving home. They beamed with pride at how brave Elsa had been throughout her ordeal.
“She’s a remarkable cat who has endured much,” Peal remarked, “yet she shows no signs of shyness and has recovered completely from her abandonment.”
The icing on the cake of this heartwarming story was the wonderful news that emerged. While the shelter had not made any formal announcement yet, one of the staff indicated in a comment that Elsa is on the verge of being adopted.
“Elsa has a pending adoption with an amazing family. ❤️,” Rachel Vincent commented on the YHS Facebook post.
Having already overcome numerous challenges with the love and support of her rescuers, there’s no doubt Elsa will flourish in this new chapter of her life.
Best of luck, Mrs. Frozen.
