On April 20, disaster struck when a tabby cat by the name of Pepper escaped her carrier and disappeared into the elaborate labyrinth of John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. What ensued was a week-long adventure that is surely being adapted into a children's movie as we speak!
Currently, #PAPD ESU is searching Terminal 4, JFK, for Pepper, a black & white cat that bolted when its owner was checking in for a flight to China. Pepper escaped into the upper structures of the terminal. Passenger missed flight. #PAPDPROTECTSNYNJ #PAPDESU #ESU pic.twitter.com/ti5zTq6vtA
— Port Authority PBA (@PAPD911) April 20, 2018
Pepper was last seen being ADORABLE in her carrier:
This is my friend's cat Pepper (中文名:呆萌). She's four years old and has microchip in her. Please inbox me or the airport officials if you ever see her. All leads are greatly appreciated! We miss her so much. Here's a recent picture of her. pic.twitter.com/vT7eoUowRY
— ntp17 (@tn_nt17) April 21, 2018
Thanks for asking this Jeff, Actually Pepper is mostly brown and white. The police might have not seen her clearly as she disappeared too soon.
— ntp17 (@tn_nt17) April 22, 2018
Airport authorities nearly captured Pepper multiple times:
Pepper the Cat, lost on 4/20/18 in Terminal 4, JFK, has been sighted. #PAPD is now attempting to rescue Pepper. Humane traps have been set up in hopes the PAPD can reunite Pepper with its owner. #PAPDPROTECTSNYNJ #Pepper pic.twitter.com/qOnTN2OxUk
— Port Authority PBA (@PAPD911) April 26, 2018
But she proved to be an elusive foe…
Pepper still remains elusive in JFK Airport's Terminal 4 but, Pepper appears healthy. #PAPD police officers are continuing their efforts to rescue Pepper and return to her owner. Officers have been leaving food for Pepper in the areas of her sightings. #PAPDPROTECTSNYNJ pic.twitter.com/owuBgCLq3b
— Port Authority PBA (@PAPD911) April 27, 2018
Finally, however, Pepper made it back to her owner!
Good news pet lovers – Pepper the cat, who escaped her carry-on case and was on the loose in Terminal 4 since April 20, has been rescued at @JFKairport! pic.twitter.com/r8F3yekqEZ
— John F. Kennedy Airport (@JFKairport) April 28, 2018
To bring Pepper in safely, the Port Authority had to enlist the help of Pepper's close friend.
Port Authority Police rescue Pepper the Cat in Terminal 4, JFK. P.O. Kameel Juman (front, left) led the effort which included enlisting Pepper's owner's friend Nuan Lang (front, right). Rear, L-R #PAPD POs Ann Armstrong, Alfred Morgado & Sean McCafferty. #PAPDPROTECTSNYNJ #Pepper pic.twitter.com/kfEj6O8S38
— Port Authority PBA (@PAPD911) April 28, 2018
"Tang had a secret weapon — she knows Pepper’s Mandarin name, Dai Meng, which loosely translated means “little dork.”" 😻 https://t.co/Xje4P0xjtX
— Violet Blue® (@violetblue) April 29, 2018
A few tourists were disappointed they wouldn't be getting the full NYC experience…
https://twitter.com/mollyhell49/status/990458433773232129
But most of the city rejoiced that the beloved feline will finally get a nice night back in her real home!
The cat's in the bag! Pepper the runaway cat of JFK finally caught
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 29, 2018
An early look at Sunday's front page…https://t.co/6y7sKn74Ar pic.twitter.com/voOsMBBoLw
Three cheers for Pepper!
H/T – Twitter, Daily News, ntp17/Twitter