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Escaped Cat Who Evaded JFK Authorities for Eight Days Finally Rescued

JT Genter
JT Genter
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.

April 28, 2018 • 2 min read

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An airport escapee has finally been caught after eluding authorities for more than a week. Pepper, a four year-old tabby cat, is now in custody and will hopefully soon be reunited with her owner in China.

It all started around 11:30am on Friday, April 20, when Pepper's owner was checking her into a flight to Beijing, China (PEK) at New York's JFK Terminal 4. But the carrier reportedly fell over and broke open, and Pepper scurried off, jumping up onto the check-in counter and then disappearing into the check-in counter structure.

The owner spent the rest of the day trying to track down Pepper, missing her original flight. However, the heartbroken owner had to eventually leave her cat behind and caught a flight the next day.

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Nuan Lang, a local friend of the owner, and JFK police officer Kameel Juman led the efforts over the following days to try to capture the cat. The Port Authority posted regular Twitter updates on its attempts, which included climbing on top of the check-in counter structure:

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Humane traps were set to capture the escapee:

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Hopes were high on Friday when a video of Pepper in the structures above the JFK Terminal 4 check-in desks showed that she was still alive and healthy.

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Finally, on Saturday morning, the good news came that Pepper had been rescued:

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We're thrilled to hear that Pepper has been found and will be reunited with her owner soon. This story hits especially close for me — as digital nomads, my wife Katie and I have been traveling through Europe with our cat Grace for the last two months while sharing our tips about how to do so safely:

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Valuable dining and food-related credits
Points are transferable
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Difficult credit redemption

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
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Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

The owner spent the rest of the day trying to track down Pepper, missing her original flight. However, the heartbroken owner had to eventually leave her cat behind and caught a flight the next day.

This content is hosted by X.

View this post on X

This content is hosted by X.

View this post on X

Humane traps were set to capture the escapee:

This content is hosted by X.

View this post on X

Hopes were high on Friday when a video of Pepper in the structures above the JFK Terminal 4 check-in desks showed that she was still alive and healthy.

This content is hosted by X.

View this post on X

Finally, on Saturday morning, the good news came that Pepper had been rescued:

This content is hosted by X.

View this post on X

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