Family cat found 650 miles away from home after slipping into an Amazon return box

Cats are naturally curious creatures, often hiding in boxes or wandering far from home to explore. While cats may see it as play, their disappearance can be deeply distressing for owners. A Utah couple faced this nightmare when their cat, Galena, went missing for days. The couple had lost all hopes of finding her when they received a notification that their cat's microchip had been scanned at a vet's in California. The pet parent, Carrie Clark, told NBC affiliate KSL TV that she thought someone was playing a prank when she learned how they found her cat.

Miraculously, an Amazon employee named Brandy found Galena inside an Amazon return box, having survived six days without food or water. Clark told the outlet, "I ran to tell my husband that Galena was found and we broke down upon realizing that she must have jumped into an oversized box that we shipped out the previous Wednesday."

The couple enlisted help from family, friends, and neighbors, posting missing posters throughout the town to find Galena. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Galena was journeying with a package of steel-toed boots Clark had ordered from Amazon, per TODAY. "Galena is a huge emotional support to me and has helped me get through many health challenges over the past six years. The anxiety and stress of not knowing what happened to her was excruciating," Clark wrote in an email to KSL TV. Brandy took the cat to the vet. She told Fox-13 Seattle that Clark was deeply shocked when the vet shared the news.

After the call, Clark and her husband flew 650 miles—the same distance Galena had inadvertently traveled—to retrieve their beloved cat. "We brought Galena's pink carrier, food, a favorite treat and towels that smelled like home. We couldn't wait to see her again!" Clark said. The cat immediately recognized Clark and looked relieved. "It was an amazing reunion! Galena instantly stopped shaking and relaxed in my arms when I got to hold her again," she added. "Despite being skinnier and some mild dehydration, her bloodwork was completely normal and she was completely unharmed."

Clark shared the story of Galena's survival, "We learned that Brandy knows all about cats and rescues them on the side. It's by no coincidence that Galena ended up in her warehouse. The box Galena was in, was split open on one seam and that gave her air to breathe. The weather temperatures were ideal and she didn't overheat or freeze. Galena survived because of her microchip, Brandy's kindness and generosity and God's grace!" The family finally returned home with their beloved pet. Clark suggests people get their pets microchipped. Now, the couple meticulously checks each Amazon return box three times before sending it back.