After enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Kevin the cat has been joyously reunited with his family. The grey British shorthair arrived on an Air Transat flight from Glasgow, Scotland, but upon arrival, his carrier was found empty on the baggage carousel.
Jackie Winterfield, a resident of Whitby, recounted the distressing moment when her daughter, Emily, discovered Kevin missing. “It was such a heartbreak,” she expressed, unsure of the feline’s fate. Despite frantic searches lasting hours, Kevin remained elusive, leaving the family distraught.
However, in a twist of fate, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority contacted the family early Wednesday morning with news of Kevin’s discovery. The cat had been found and turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency, though the whereabouts of his previous 72 hours remain a mystery. Winterfield shared that an agent informed her Kevin was found on the runway.
Upon his return, Kevin was hungry, thirsty, and covered in soot, but Winterfield assured that after a bath, rest, and nourishment, he appeared to be recovering well. Air Transat expressed regret over the incident, assuring they made every effort to locate Kevin after being notified of his escape.
Winterfield revealed that issues with Air Transat began before departure from Scotland. Despite efforts to ensure Kevin’s safe transport, including purchasing a special carrier and pre-paying for cabin transport, the airline refused, citing issues with the carrier. Kevin was relegated to the cargo bay, prompting a hurried purchase of a new carrier and additional charges.
The family, aggrieved by the airline’s handling of the situation, is contemplating legal action. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority emphasized that “travelling pets” are welcome at Pearson, advising owners to ensure their pets remain inside carriers at all times for safety and comfort.
Fabrice de Dongo, spokesperson for GTAA, urged passengers to inform airlines in advance of pet travel, allowing for proper accommodation and documentation. While emphasizing individual airline policies, GTAA reiterated their commitment to facilitating safe pet travel.
