Missing Airline Cat Found Alive
by Elisa
(USA)
George
George the missing airline cat has been found alive almost three months to the day after his disappearance on September 23. He's in good condition considering the circumstances.
For those of you not familiar with the story, George escaped his carrier at Edmonton International Airport where he was being flown cargo by Air Canada. He was caught, escaped a second time, and has been missing ever since.
George turned up in the nearby town of Leduc at the residence of the Wilde family. Leduc is approximately five miles from the Edmonton International Airport. He was very hungry, but otherwise appears to have come through the ordeal without any major problems.
The Wilde family got in touch with an Edmonton volunteer after seeing information online at Kijiji about the missing cat. Vanessa Summerfield was then contacted in Fort McMurray by the Edmonton volunteer.
When the Wilde family first learned of George's story they were shocked. They weren't aware of a reward being offered and only wanted to reunite George with his family. The Wilde family has three other cats and he'll be staying with their family until arrangements can be made to return him to Vanessa.
Vanessa made the following statement on her Facebook page. "Life is good! My lil booger is safe after three long months. Couldn't thank the group of women who volunteered their time to help George come home! I will be forever thankful! Christmas definitely came early for me!"
Vanessa, you got your Christmas wish. You'll have your baby boy home for Christmas.
I sincerely hope the airline industry will change the treatment standards of pets being flown in cargo. This has been a very emotional year for cats who fly. No one should ever have to worry about the care given by an airline of a beloved pet. Airlines need to understand we cat ladies will pitch the biggest fit imaginable until rules are put into place to treat our cats like family instead of possessions.
Merry Christmas Vanessa. Your perfect ending came just in time.
Elisa
