Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/lost-cat-rescued-from-jfk-airport/
New York’s JFK airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States and no place for a cat to live.
But an indoor cat named Ettore survived nearly three weeks around the runway before being rescued.
Salvatore Fazio was traveling to Italy with his beloved cat when he received the most devastating news. First, he was told that his cat that he planned on having in the cabin was too big and needed to go into cargo. Then after arriving in Italy, found out Ettore never made it on the plane.
Ettore had escaped his crate while being loaded onto the plane and was nowhere in sight. Fazio was living every pet parent’s worst nightmare.
He immediately made a post on Facebook asking for help in finding his beloved pet. John Debacker of Long Island Cat Kitten Solution stepped up to help.
Debacker was joined by Toni Ann, a friend of Fazio, and Teddy Henn to help search for Ettore, but they struggled to get access to search the runway due to security reasons. They posted flyers and continued to search the surrounding area.
Just as people were starting to lose hope, a Port Authority worker found Ettore’s collar on the runway two weeks after he went missing.
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Debacker was then allowed to enter the airport and put up cameras to see if they could spot Ettore. Within 10 hours of the cameras going up, the lost cat wandered over to the relief of all involved.
A humane trap was placed in the area and Ettore was finally safe after spending 18 days on the runway.
It’s with my heart full of joy that I share this news. Ettore cat (“Gattone”) has been rescued this morning by John…
Posted by Salvatore Fazio on Saturday, September 18, 2021
Fazio received the amazing news in the wee hours of the morning and wasted no time in posting a thank you to everyone involved. He wrote, “Ettore looks healthy! He’s a survivor!”
Debacker managed to trap the starving and exhausted feline and met up with Ann who took him to the vet.
Much different scenery then watching planes take off. :p
Posted by John Debacker on Saturday, September 18, 2021
She posted, “Ettore is so grateful to be rescued!! ❤️❤️❤️What a sweet gentle little LOVEBUG he is. He’s purring and seems content. He fell asleep within 5 mins in the car with me talking to him.”
Ettore is so grateful to be rescued!! ❤️❤️❤️What a sweet gentle little LOVEBUG he is. He’s purring and seems content. He…
Posted by Toni Ann on Saturday, September 18, 2021
Aside from a few scratches on his nose and loosing three pounds, he is happy and healthy.
News 12 reports that Ettore is patiently waiting at Fazio’s girlfriend’s home for his dad to return.
According to Debacker, it is common for pets to escape from their carriers at airports. He advises pet parents to use zip ties or bungee cords on the door to make sure it stays closed.
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
