Cat escape at airport
ADORABLE cat Charlie was one moment away from being safe with family after a Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Cairns on Sunday night.
But a car door left ajar at the point of handover spelt disaster.
John and Adrienne Kirby planned to receive their son’s cat from a Menzies Aviation cargo handler at Cairns Airport. They were under the impression the carrier cage used to transport Charlie had been purchased by their son and they could use it to take Charlie home.
Instead, they say they were told by a Menzies Aviation staff member they couldn’t take the carrier cage with them and it would be opened by the staff member in Mr and Mrs Kirby’s car.
Mr Kirby sat in the front seat of the car and Mrs Kirby in the back seat with their doors closed. The cage door was then opened by the Menzies Aviation staff member, but the cat bolted out of another door, Mr Kirby said.
“Our son is absolutely devastated. Charlie is a much beloved cat,” said Mr Kirby.
“We’ve been back every morning and night with food and water. We’ve gone early when it’s quiet so we can try and hear Charlie, but we’ve not seen any sign of her.
“The dispatch company wouldn’t even supply us with a torch to find her. They offered us the carrier afterwards but it was too late by then.”
Mr Kirby’s son, Richard, is due to move to Cairns permanently and sent his tabby cat in advance while co-ordinating the final logistic tasks of his relocation.
“We just wanted to care for Charlie while Richard was busy with the move,” said Mr Kirby.
Mr and Mrs Kirby are now considering legal action against Menzies Aviation.
Charlie is described as “very timid” and “quite vocal”.
Sonya Horn is one of many citizens who saw Mrs Kirby’s Facebook post requesting help.
“A lot of people are just unaware about what could go wrong when transporting pets on air cargo,” she said.
Menzies Aviation said the incident had been referred to Virgin Australia and has refused to provide any further comment. Virgin Australia has been contacted for comment.