Discovery of Misty

During an evening shift at Costco Wholesale, employee Wilson noticed a shopping cart that seemed out of place. When he approached it, he discovered a blue mesh pet carrier inside, which held a full-grown cat, later identified as Misty.

Initial Reactions

Wilson, a dedicated cat owner himself, was initially puzzled by the unexpected sight of a cat at his workplace. “My first reaction, honestly, was confusion,” Wilson shared with The Dodo. He thought to himself, “Why is there a cat here? Why is my home life at my work? Why am I excited? Wait, what happened?”

Understanding Misty’s Situation

Upon closer inspection, Wilson noticed writing on the carrier indicating the cat’s name and age: “Misty 14 [years]” was inscribed in Sharpie, adding an emotional layer to the situation.

Misty, a black-and-orange calico, appeared bewildered and fearful as Wilson assessed her situation. It was evident that someone had placed her in the cart, wheeled it into the store’s garage bay, and then left without her.

Creating a Safe Space

As other staff members rushed to find a solution, Wilson took it upon himself to create a temporary sanctuary for Misty. He gathered foam board from the store to line the cart, set up a makeshift bathroom using litter he had at home, and even opened a can of wet food for her.

Initially reluctant to exit her carrier, Misty was comforted by Wilson’s presence as he remained by her side while they awaited assistance from local animal services.

Response from Animal Services

The Animal Care Centers of NYC (NYCACC) responded positively when contacted and agreed to take Misty for care. While Wilson was unable to adopt Misty due to already having three cats at home, he mentioned that several co-workers were interested in the possibility of adopting her once she was well.

He noted in an Instagram comment, “A few of our coworkers may offer to adopt Misty, and some of us plan to stop by the shelter to see her regardless.”

Misty’s Recovery and Future

Since the incident, Misty has been recuperating at the NYCACC. Despite the alarming situation, it has brought the community together, with many expressing their willingness to help. Once she is ready for adoption in a few days, a better life awaits her.

Reflecting on the experience, Wilson expressed his motivation: “Seeing Misty reminded me of home and my cats, Zorra, Reynard, and Power, and I just wanted to help out.”