People take strange things on planes, this is nothing new. And the suitcase checked in for a trip from New York’s JFK Airport to Orlando, Florida on Nov. 16 certainly contained some oddities. As it passed through the X-ray machine, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials could see what appeared to be bottles, wine glasses, a pair of flip-flops and a life-size outline of a cat.
They discovered that the outline was life-size because the cat was real: ginger, alive, and apparently unharmed, even after being stuffed in a suitcase for hours on the way to a plane. A plane in which he could have easily died in flight.
Police officers who saw the image and opened the box to find the cat were “shocked,” Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the TSA, told CNN.
Despite dealing with everything from unauthorized firearms to illicit cranberry sauce on a daily basis, “it’s rare to discover a live animal in a checked bag,” she said. Luckily, the cat didn’t try to escape when they opened the box.
The passenger, who was traveling on Delta Air Lines, was called to explain the cat in his luggage and told TSA that “it wasn’t his cat — it belonged to someone else in the house,” Farbstein said. They suggested that the cat – which was on top of the luggage and had some of its fur sticking out through the zippers – got into the suitcase unseen.
We’re letting the cat out of the bag on a hiss-toric find. This CATch had our baggage screening officers @JFKairport saying, “Come on meow”! Feline like you have travel questions reach out to our furiends @AskTSA🇧🇷 They’re available every day, from 8 am – 6 pm (ET). pic.twitter.com/LpIkLbAgzC
— TSA (@TSA) November 22, 2022
The TSA did not involve animal welfare agencies, Farbstein said.
The traveler is believed to have missed the flight but rescheduled for the next day, without the cat. Meanwhile, the cat — apparently named Smells — appears unaffected by his adventure, according to the New York Post, which reportedly tracked him down.
If traveling (intentionally) with your cat, Farbstein advises putting your cat in a pet carrier and having the box checked in a private room so the pet can’t get away.
And if you’re not traveling with your cat, make sure he hasn’t accompanied you on the outing.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
