[Abomasnow noticed the shiver and leaned back, shaking out the pine-like fur and settling in again. People watching, essentially.]

Yes and no, to both. It's more of a 'sense' than a 'see', if you will. Likely doesn't ease you any, but for now they aren't in any distress or it would be very well known.

[For now he would return the empty pokéball to his pocket, given that Abomasnow seemed content where he was-]

I wish I knew, honestly. They're starter pokémon, from what a colleague and I have observed in taking turns watching this machine in our investigation of it's appearance, and to help people know what they've gotten, how to best care for them. If correct, whoever receives one may be their first person, which is why they are so quick to take. They want to be with someone- I will add that this is definitely not how receiving a starter pokémon happens at home.

[From so many different regions, too.]

I did, yes. A few I've raised since they were eggs given to me to watch over.