Woman rushed to help ‘injured’ neighborhood cat crying inside a box — froze when she realized its desperate cries were for someone else
In the Russian city of Obninsk, a local feline became an unlikely lifesaver. Residents were shocked when a routine day turned into a rescue mission that no one could have predicted. A neighborhood cat, known for her friendly nature, ended up protecting a vulnerable life in the harsh cold. That day reminded everyone that bravery does not always come with a roar or a uniform.
As reported by E! News, the story unfolded in 2015 when a fluffy tabby cat named Masha discovered an abandoned baby boy left in a cardboard box outside an apartment block. Masha, cared for by local residents and accustomed to roaming the hallways, reportedly climbed into the box to keep the infant warm. Her loud meows soon caught the attention of Irina Lavrova, a nearby resident who went outside thinking the cat might be in trouble.
“You can imagine my shock when I saw her lying in a box next to a baby,” Lavrova said. “Clearly her mothering instincts had taken over, and she wanted to protect the child.” Lavrova also explained what alerted her to check on the feline in the first place: "She is very placid and friendly, so when I heard her meowing, I thought that perhaps she had injured herself."
The baby, believed to be only a few months old, had been left with clean clothes, diapers, and some baby food, but the freezing temperatures posed a serious threat. Thanks to Masha’s intervention, the child was quickly discovered and rushed to a hospital, where doctors confirmed he was healthy. According to the Independent, paramedic Vera Ivanina described Masha’s reaction, “She was so worried about where we were taking the baby." She later added, "She ran right behind us, miaowing. She was really a rational creature,” per NDTV World. Local police launched an investigation to identify the child’s parents, while the community praised the cat for her extraordinary instincts.
Neighbors said Masha’s actions likely saved the baby’s life. "The residents are certain, if the cat hadn't taken care of it, the baby wouldn't have had a chance," shared TV Zvezda's anchor. Another local resident, Nadezhda Makhovikova, recalled for BBC News, “I thought a cat was attacked by a male cat and I rushed from my floor down to save her. When I went down, I saw a baby crying. He was right behind the rubber sheet in her box.”
Residents quickly spoiled Masha with her favorite food, grateful for her heroic act. "Everyone in the block is very proud of her," Lavrova shared with E! News. "We have all spoiled her rotten by giving her her favorite food." TV Zvezda also reported that the cat had warmed the baby for several hours by licking it and sitting beside it, showing remarkable care and patience. The story of Masha highlighted how animals could sense danger and act in extraordinary ways. The baby had a fighting chance thanks to the instincts of the neighborhood cat, while authorities continued their search for the parents.