Stowaway cat found in luggage at JFK Airport during Thanksgiving rush got to enjoy his holiday
Smells, an orange cat from New York, reportedly hid in a Florida-bound traveler’s suitcase and surprised TSA agents
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The orange stowaway cat that was detected and removed from a wheeled suitcase at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York was able to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner.
Lisa Farbstein, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) northeast region, provided an update on how the cat’s holiday celebration went days after his rescue.
"Smells, the cat who @TSA recently rescued from a checked bag at @JFKairport after he snuck into a suitcase in an attempt to fly to Orlando, enjoyed Thanksgiving at home in Brooklyn," Farbstein wrote in a tweet on Monday, Nov. 28.
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In earlier tweets from Tuesday, Nov. 22, Farbstein noted that Smells reportedly snuck into an Orlando-bound traveler’s luggage and was detected by an X-ray unit that scans checked baggage at JFK Airport.
The traveler, who wasn’t named, lives with the cat’s owner, according to the TSA.
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Smells was reportedly sent back home after he was found.
"Apparently Smells was planning to chase after a big mouse he heard was running around Disneyworld," Farbstein joked in her Monday tweet.
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The photo update of Smells shows the feline seated at a dining table as he looks at a plate of food and a goblet of wine.
The holiday photo appears to be a stark difference from the photos TSA shared of Smells’ stowaway attempt.
One of the photos revealed JFK Airport’s luggage X-ray unit depicted the warm-blooded cat’s thermal signature in red, which stood out against the other packed items. Other photos showed Smells’ orange fur peaked out when a TSA agent unzipped the suitcase.
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Stowaway animals are occasionally found and reported by the TSA.
Last year, a chihuahua was found hiding in a Texas couple’s suitcase at a Southwest Airlines terminal as they tried to board a flight to Las Vegas. The couple was able to make last-minute arrangements for the dog’s pickup.
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Cats reportedly hide when they’re seeking safety, warmth and rest, according to CatWiki, an online cat owner’s guide.