Jake the airport cat

I originally read about this poor cat several weeks ago. Today, I came across the follow-up story regarding Jake the airport cat. Karen Pascoe flew from New York to California on American Airlines and checked her cat in the baggage center. Somehow her cat, Jack escaped from his carrier and was lost for two month in the New York Airport when he fell out of a loose ceiling tile and into the airports customs office. The beloved pet had to be put to sleep because he was unable to recover.

I am an avid animal lover. I have three dogs and a cat and I was very moved by this article. I feel for the family who lost their pet and for the poor animal that had to suffer for so long.  However, the airport's disregard for life absolutely infuriates me.  Can you imagine Ms. Pascoe reaction when they told her at baggage claim that her pet wasn’t there?  Can you imagine her panic, her outrage, her sense of loss?

It is equally horrifying to think about this poor pet roaming around the airport lost looking for his owner. According to the article, he suffered from malnutrition and had several wounds on his back that were getting increasingly infected and unable to heal. It was a mixed blessing for Ms. Pascoe that her pet was euthanized because at least the cat was found and the owner can have closure. Thank goodness she was able fly back to New York to be with her beloved pet one last time and I hope that American Airline paid for that plane ticket.

I believe that they should be held responsible for the animal’s death, that a full investigation should be done and that the owner should receive some kind of monetary compensation for the incident. You hear all the time about the baggage handlers who mistreat baggage. This makes me wonder what really happened with the cat carrier. Did some ignorant jerk fling the carrier or bump other luggage on to it? Was the cat mute and unable to call out for help?  Did no one see or hear this poor cat as it prowled the airport or hid, scared for its life, in pain, hungry and alone? Airports are full of cameras. So why didn't Security check them when the cat first went missing?

I think the airport employees could have handled this situation better, because just because it’s a cat doesn't mean that it is a less valuable form of life or a less-loved member of the family.