A furry and whiskered stowaway kitten has successfully made its way across the Atlantic and is now safely settled in a home in Nova Scotia. The kitten, now affectionately named Grim, was discovered on board the Grimaldi Grande Congo, a Ro-Ro vessel transporting FIAT vehicles from Savona, Italy to Halifax’s Autoport.
Master Seaman Mike Hurry, working with Canadian Border Services Agency officers, led the search for the kitten aboard the ship on June 25. The crew had reported a stray cat on board, sparking a mission to locate and bring the cat safely ashore. The search concluded with the discovery of the black and white kitten hiding under a lifeboat.
Despite the crew’s kindness, they couldn’t bring the cat inside due to health and safety regulations. They did, however, try to feed the cat in a traditional Italian manner, serving it small bowls of pasta. The ship’s captain was determined to find the stowaway a suitable home in Canada.
Following a short stay with the ship’s agent, Hurry and his wife decided to adopt the kitten into their family, which includes three kids, a Saint Bernard dog, and another cat. The family officially welcomed Grim into their home on June 28, estimating him to be around eight weeks old at the time.
Initially timid, Grim has since adjusted well to domestic life after a bath to remove oil and grease from his fur. He now comfortably sleeps with the family and enjoys their company. The family decided to name the kitten Grim, inspired by the shipping line Grimaldi, whose vessel he was found on.
Grim is now a legal Canadian resident with vaccinations from Eastern Passage Veterinary Hospital. Hurry believes it was a fortunate coincidence that led to Grim finding a loving family in Canada.