TSA agents could write books (yes, plural) on what they’ve encountered while inspecting bags at the airport. One agent based at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York was surprised to find a cat zipped inside somebody’s bag.
This photo shows a bag with a zipper not completely shut. CBS reported, “peeking out from opening were orange hairs that belonged to the pet that was ultimately discovered inside.”
How Was The Cat Found?
When the bag went through the X-ray, the alarm sounded.
According to 1010 Wins, “Transportation Security Administration then alerted the airline who contacted the traveler.”
It’s possible the cat climbed inside the bag and accidentally got zipped inside.
We’re letting the cat out of the bag on a hiss-toric find. This CATch had our baggage screening officers @JFKairport saying, “Come on meow”! Feline like you have travel questions reach out to our furiends @AskTSA. They’re available every day, from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (ET). pic.twitter.com/LpIkLbAgzC
— TSA (@TSA) November 22, 2022
What Next?
Linda Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson, tweeted:
“A TSA officer was shocked to find an orange cat inside a checked bag at JFK airport after it went through the X-ray unit. Traveler said the cat belonged to someone else in his household. On the bright side, the cat’s out of the bag and safely back home.”
TSA Shared Additional Photos
CBS wrote, “later, the official TSA Twitter account posted two additional photos from the unlikely animal encounter.”
“One showed the JFK Airport agent pulling open the suitcase to find a furry creature curled up along one edge. The other was a still taken from the X-ray machine, where a cat’s bright red silhouette is clearly visible inside the luggage.”
TSA couldn’t resist throwing in some cheesy puns:
“This CATch had our baggage screening officers at JFK airport saying, ‘Come on, meow!'”
Twitter Was Concerned
Not everyone was entertained.
Queers in Crypto wrote: “I hope the TSA turns this person over to authorities for animal abuse and the cat is handed over to a rescue shelter!! Horrible that you all are making insensitive jokes about mistreating a living being. But then, I guess that would be typical, right?”
Upper East Site. com tweeted Farbstein directly: “Hey, Lisa, why does TSA think it’s okay to make bad jokes about animal cruelty?”
MM wrote, “this story should read the cat is safely with a foster family awaiting a new loving home- and the owner is on a block list to never own another pet again.”
