Officers from the TSA discovered the feline in a suitcase as it passed through security at the New York airport on Tuesday morning.
They noticed a tuft of orange fur poking out of a gap in the bag's zipper. And the big cat-shaped outline on the X-ray security scanner was also a bit of a giveaway.
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Anything to declare?
Security officers let the cat out of the bag and then pulled the suitcase owner aside. They had a few questions for the guy who tried to smuggle a cat through airport security.
The unnamed passenger said the cat wasn't his. It belonged to his roommate, the man continued. He told airport security that the animal must have crawled into the case while he was packing.
An unlikely story? Definitely. Then again, it makes more sense than someone trying to smuggle a cat onto a plane. There are much easier ways to arrange a holiday as a pet parent.
Airport security contacted the man's roommate, 37-year-old Brooklyn resident Alex, who confirmed that the cat was hers. Alex had no idea her fur baby was missing until she received the call.
"They asked if I wanted to press charges," said Alex. "Airport security wanted to know if there was any reason my roommate was trying to steal my cat and go to Florida."
The traveller returns
"But it was all a mix-up. My cat is always exploring boxes and bags. It was just a weird accident."
The cat, who goes by the name of Smells, is back at home now. And he appears utterly unfazed by his odd adventure.
"I was worried he'd be freaked out," said Alex. "But he wasn't even meowing on the way back. I went to give him some extra treats, and he acted like nothing had happened."
