Recently, an 8-year-old New Zealand Maine Coon cat named Mittens encountered a strange accident on its way to move to Australia with its owner. Due to a mistake in air transportation, it was blocked by a wheelchair and not unloaded, and was forced to complete a “global marathon”. After flying from Christchurch, New Zealand to Melbourne, I unexpectedly returned to Christchurch and eventually flew to Melbourne again. The entire journey took 24 hours and involved three flights.
After waiting in vain in Melbourne, the owner Margo Neas learned that his beloved cat had been sent back to New Zealand. During the return flight, the Air New Zealand crew turned on the cargo hold heating to ensure the safety of the cat. Although Mittens eventually lost weight and suffered from stress, he remained healthy and unharmed. Surprisingly, Mittens, who is usually aloof, took the initiative to embrace her owner when they met again, showing a rare level of intimacy.
The airline has apologized and covered all the costs, promising to improve the process. This incident, along with the recent Southwest Airlines incident in the United States where a passenger was denied a ride due to a cat defecating, has successively drawn public attention. Experts remind that long-haul flights are extremely stressful for cats. If it is not necessary, one should choose them with caution. If it is essential to fly, thorough preparations should be made.
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