Montreal woman searches for cat last seen at Toronto Pearson airport

Abir Batikhi arrived in Montreal with three of the four cats she had placed in cages for a non-stop journey from Jordan. Caramel, her seven-year-old cat, was missing.

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I received the four cages. One cat was missing.

Batikhi said airport officials told her Caramel had been seen in the cargo hold when the aircraft reached Toronto Pearson International Airport, where it stopped before continuing to Montreal. The cat then escaped onto the airport ramp near Terminal 3 and ran toward gates 29 and 30. That was the last reported sighting.

The Montreal resident has posted in Facebook groups in Toronto and Montreal, appealing to animal lovers and airport employees. She has cared for Caramel since the cat was born and fears the frightened animal may be hiding and unable to find food.

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That was the last reported sighting.

Toronto Pearson said wildlife crews conduct daily sweeps of the airport grounds, set humane live-capture traps and alert ground crews to watch for Caramel. Pet transportation company CEO Dacia Rohlehr said escaped-animal incidents are uncommon and that kennel doors must be secured during transport.

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Because she’s scared, she will be hiding, starved. I don’t want her to die from starvation.

Batikhi said the cages were inspected and secured with zip ties before departure. She does not know whether Caramel escaped during the flight or after landing. “I just need to bring back my cat,” she said.

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I just need to bring back my cat.