A BRAVE stowaway kitten which was discovered at Birmingham Airport aboard a shipment from Egypt has been given a fresh start in Solihull.
The tiny feline, who has now found refuge with Lina’s Cat Rescue in Derby, travelled more than 2,400 miles in the hold of a Emirates Airline plane.
The six-week-old kitten was brought to the attention of Solihull Council’s public protection team after the stowaway was discovered in a shipment from Cairo International Airport.
The kitten has now been duly named Cairo. She was quarantined and kept under observation for 14 days to ensure she did not have rabies.
After this officers were left with three options – to pay more than £1,000 for to go through a further three and a half months quarantine, return Cairo to her sender or have her put to sleep.
As the kitten is believed to have snook on board in Cairo there was no way to re-export her.
Lina’s Cat Rescue in Derby were then contacted and agreed to take full responsibility for the costs and her welfare during and after her quarantine period until she finds her forever home.
After hearing of her predicament, Emirates have offered to cover the costs of Cairo’s entire quarantine process.
After completing her quarantine period, which will finish at the end of December, she will go to a volunteer foster home.
Once there, the rescue will assess her to determine what type of permanent home she needs.
She will also be spayed, have ongoing flea and worm treatment and a full veterinary health check before being put up for adoption.
The final chapter of Cairo’s remarkable journey is to find a new home where she will be treated with all the respect of her ancient Egyptian fore-fathers.
Esther Atkins, Solihull Council’s public protection officer, said she got in contact with Lina’s Cat Rescue after finding out about the stranded kitten.
She added: “I knew if we didn’t do something fast the kitten would be put down.
“As an animal lover I couldn’t let that happen and so I got in contact with a cat rescue centre near the quarantine facility.
“I’m so glad we’ve been able to save Cairo and I’m sure someone will come forward to home her once the full quarantine period is over.”
Laurie Berryman, Emirates vice president, said when Cairo was spotted sat amongst the cargo, one of their colleagues fed her and contacted the appropriate authorities.
“We are very happy that with our funding, the wonderful team at Lina’s Cat Rescue and Solihull Council are able to give Cairo all the TLC she needs during her quarantine period.”
If anyone wishes to donate to Cairo’s ongoing care should e-mail [email protected].
