Colorado Springs, CO — A resilient orange tabby named Sunny-Loo defied the odds after surviving nearly three weeks without food or water while trapped inside a couch during her family’s 1,050-mile move from Washington to Colorado.
A Disappearance During the Move
The Hanson family’s ordeal began in late December when movers arrived at their Washington home to pack for their relocation to Colorado, where Andy Hanson was starting a new job. Sunny-Loo, their skittish feline, vanished during the chaos. Assuming she was hiding elsewhere in the house, the family expected her to reappear—but when it came time to leave for their flight, the cat was nowhere to be found.
“We bought a carrier for her to fly with us, but suddenly, she was gone. We were devastated,” Andy Hanson told KKTV.
The family, including 12-year-old Hannah—for whom Sunny-Loo serves as an emotional support animal—searched desperately with the help of neighbors and relatives. With no sign of the cat, they reluctantly boarded their flight, leaving loved ones behind to continue the search.
A Shocking Discovery
Weeks passed with no leads, and the Hansons began grieving the loss of their beloved pet. Then, in late January, their moving truck finally delivered their belongings to their new Colorado home. As they unwrapped their tightly packed Hide-a-Bed sofa, a faint meow startled them.
Inside was Sunny-Loo—weak, emaciated, but alive. The cat had somehow survived a three-week journey inside the couch, traveling from Walla Walla, Washington, through multiple stops before reaching Colorado.
“It’s a miracle. She endured over 1,000 miles in that couch,” Andy said.
Road to Recovery
The family rushed Sunny-Loo to a veterinarian, where emergency vet Dr. Erin Dixon treated the severely dehydrated feline in the ICU for three days.
“Medically, I don’t have an explanation for how she survived. It’s remarkable—she’s a miracle cat,” Dr. Dixon said.
Now reunited with her relieved family, Sunny-Loo is slowly regaining strength. For Hannah, the emotional reunion was overwhelming: “It was like a dream come true,” she said.
The Hansons remain astounded by their pet’s incredible survival—a story of resilience, luck, and an unbreakable bond.
Related topics:
