A viral TikTok video has stirred strong emotions after revealing a cat was abandoned at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport when his owner failed to secure the required travel documents.
The clip, posted by Lebanese veterinarian and animal rescuer Rana Hamieh (@giddykittykat), shows the two-year-old domestic short-hair cat left behind near scattered luggage. According to Hamieh, the incident occurred on January 17 and was witnessed by her friend who works at the airport. The video has since been viewed over 2.9 million times.
Text overlaid on the footage reads, “His owner didn’t have the proper paperwork for boarding the flight, so they decided to abandon him at the airport.” The cat was later found hiding under an escalator railing near Gate 2, frightened and injured. Hamieh said he had suffered minor trauma and was treated for bleeding and pain before being transferred to a foster home.
“He was absolutely terrified,” Hamieh told Newsweek. “Some travelers were cruel and even kicked him. He just wanted to be safe.”
In the video, the cat is seen curled beneath an escalator bar, with captions reading, “He was hiding in this dangerous spot after being kicked around by ignorant kids,” and “You don’t leave family behind!!”
Hamieh, who regularly rescues animals, explained that her home was already full of other rescue cats receiving care, so she placed the abandoned cat with a foster caregiver. “Thankfully, he’s doing great at foster care and hopefully he’ll get adopted soon,” she said. “He’s such a strong, resilient boy and he made a swift recovery.”
The heartbreaking scene prompted thousands of TikTok users to react with anger and sorrow. One user, Teddington, wrote, “I’d cry if I saw this at an airport. I’d cancel my flight and look after the cat.” Another, @shumushroom, said: “How could someone do that to their own pet. I will abandon a million flights before I ever abandon my baby.”
Many echoed similar thoughts, including user Melody, who stated: “If my cats don’t board, I don’t board. I will never understand how people can abandon their pets. I would die for mine.”
The incident underscores broader concerns about pet abandonment. According to the ASPCA, an estimated 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters in the U.S. each year, including over 3 million cats. These include strays, rescues from abuse, and owner surrenders.
Travel regulations can often lead to difficult situations for pet owners. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration allows each airline to set its own rules regarding pets. If pets are not allowed in the cabin, they must travel in the cargo hold. The International Air Transport Association notes that millions of pets are transported safely this way each year and often fare better in the quiet, dark space.
Still, for many, the emotional bond with pets leaves no room for abandonment. As one commenter summed up: “We adopt pets to care for them and take responsibility. My cat is family.”
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