Basha’s new life in the United States got off to a somewhat tumultuous start. This cat rescued and adopted in Egypt disappeared upon arrival in North America, leading to 24 hours of anxiety and incessant searches at the airport.
A cat newly adopted from abroad escaped from the plane shortly after landing in its new country, then was found safe and sound. A story reported by KIRO 7 on Thursday, November 2.
On Wednesday, November 1 , Charlie Swaneveld returned home to Seattle , Washington State (United States) from Cairo . On board the Qatar Airways flight were the 3 new members of her family, stray cats that she had just rescued and adopted in Egypt. The latter are called Basha , Mango and Plutonium-283 .
They were traveling in the hold, inside their transport crates . Arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport , Charlie Swaneveld was waiting to be handed over the felines, but an unpleasant surprise awaited him.
If Mango and Plutonium-283 were in their boxes, Basha ‘s was empty. The tabby feline had obviously taken advantage of the opening of its cage door to escape when the plane’s hold was being unloaded.
Photos of Basha and a recording of her owner’s voice to facilitate research
Airport authorities and airline staff immediately began searching for Basha . They were able to see him on video surveillance images. The responders had photos of him provided by his mistress, as well as a recording of the latter’s voice which they broadcast to try to attract him, but the animal remained nowhere to be found. He was somewhere in the twists and turns of the airport, but no one saw him.
Relief came the next day. Charlie Swaneveld was told by phone that Basha had been located and was safe. He was hiding in the baggage area. The cat was handed over to the Qatar Airways team until its owner arrived.
The latter holds no grudge against the airport staff or the airline’s employees. She even wants to salute the efforts they made to bring him back to her unharmed.
Basha was thus able to discover her new home alongside her two friends.