15 July 2022
A family's cat has finally been recovered after three weeks of being on the run in Boston's Logan International Airport.
The cat — named Rowdy — had been successfully avoiding airport workers, airline employees, and animal experts since escaping from a pet container.
Rowdy was finally caught Wednesday.
"Whether out of fatigue or hunger we'll never know, but this morning she finally let herself be caught," an airport spokesperson said.
Rowdy is to be given a health examination and then returned to her family.
"I'm kind of in disbelief," said her owner, Patty Sahli. "I thought, ‘What are the odds we're actually going to get her back?' But I got a call this morning and I am just so shocked."
Rowdy's time on the lam began June 24. Sahli and her husband, Rich, returned to the United States from 15 years in Germany with the Army. When their Lufthansa airlines flight landed, the 4-year-old black cat with green eyes escaped her cage. She was chasing some birds in the area.
Soon Rowdy herself was on the object of a chase. Her escape set off a big search involving airport and Lufthansa workers. Construction workers, and animal welfare experts got involved as well. They used wildlife cameras and safe-release traps in an attempt to catch Rowdy.
Many people saw Rowdy during her extended airport visit. But, the cat always escaped those who chased her.
Now, with Rowdy safely contained, a little calm has been returned to the airport.
"It was such a community effort," said Sahli, adding, "we're just so grateful to everyone who helped look for her."
I'm Caty Weaver.
Mark Pratt reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English.
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Words in This Story
pet –n. an animal, such as a dog, cat, fish or bird, that is kept for enjoyment
fatigue –n. a state of being very tired
odds –n. (plural) the chance that one thing will happen instead of a different thing
on the lam –expression trying to avoid being caught by police by moving around all the time
construction –n. the process, art, or manner of building something
welfare –n. the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group