Rescue cat of the year 2004
Long Distance Traveller Category

Amazingly, this plucky tortie kitten survived a six-week transatlantic journey in a crate, that travelled from Texas to Aberdeen, on condensation alone. She was discovered by workers at the warehouse of oil supply company National Oilwell. On first glance, it appeared that she had not survived the journey but a staff member noticed a slight movement. It was then that the desperate fight to save her began.

Houston, named after her birthplace 6,000 miles away, spent more than two weeks in intensive care at Ardene Veterinary Hospital in Aberdeen, before being transferred to a local quarantine facility where she had several more weeks of recovery ahead of her. Workers at National Oilwell, led by Houston’s subsequent owner, Irene Whyte, immediately arranged a collection to cover the cost of veterinary treatment, with the freight company kindly paying for her quarantine.

Irene was so astounded by Houston’s cheerful character in the face of such trauma, that she decided to offer her a loving home once her quarantine period had finished. Houston now enjoys life with Irene, her husband Paul and their nine-month-old baby Mya.