Pregnant Rescue Cat Found After Missing for 11 Days at the Airport
A pregnant cat who went missing for 11 days while at the airport has been found, and what a journey she had.
On April 2, 2024, after 11 days of searching, the sweet rescue cat, who was also pregnant, was finally found. Here's what happened.
According to CTV News, a pregnant cat was finally found at the Ottawa International Airport 11 days after she went missing from the parking garage.
The cat named Athena arrived at the Ottawa Airport in mid-March so she could receive a vet car and have her kittens safely. Furry Tales Cat Rescue, a rescue organization, organized the trip. When Athena arrived, her cat carrier popped open in the airport's parking garage, and she made a run for it.
And that set off a huge search party.
"Volunteers and experts spent the last 11 days searching the airport grounds and handing out flyers, hoping to find Athena before she gave birth," CTV News Ottawa shares. "The trapper set traps, bait and food, hoping to find the cat.
An airport employee named Blake Fawcett was able to find Athena 11 days after she went missing.
“He saw a cat tucked into the corner of his building, but he didn't know about her at that time. And he went home, told his wife, and said there was a cat there, And she said, ‘That's Athena! You've got to try and get her.' So he took a trap back and he started baiting her,” CTV News reports.
Thankfully, Athena was well and not harmed. And still "very much pregnant, hungry, and scared," the rescue center shares. But she is receiving loving care.
"We are absolutely overwhelmed with love and relief, and so incredibly grateful to the Ottawa Airport operation center for trapping her and to everyone for supporting Athena by sharing, searching, and never giving up hope!"
How Long Is a Cat's Pregnancy?
According to PetMD, a cat's typical pregnancy lasts 63 to 65 days, which is about two months.
Just like people, their pregnancy can be broken up into three trimesters, with each lasting approximately 20 days.
The experts say it can be challenging to determine if a cat is pregnant, especially if it has not reached its third trimester yet.
"In the last 20 or so days of pregnancy, abdominal and mammary enlargement is more obvious," PetMD writes. At this time, pregnant cats "may exhibit increased grooming of their belly and the area under their tail. They will also often search for suitable locations in which to 'nest.'"
When the time comes to deliver the litter, it's generally best to just leave it alone. It's important to keep an eye on them during labor and birth, but "try not to interact with your cat or interfere," PetMD writes.
PetMD notes that cats most often have their full litter within six hours. However, there are circumstances where delivery might take longer.
"Cats have the ability to pause labor in between kittens, and this break can last 24–36 hours," per PetMD. "It’s thought that they are more likely to do so if they do not feel safe in their environment."
We're so glad Athena was found, and hoping she's able to rest and relax.
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