Montrealer reunited with seven-year-old cat after 16 days lost at Toronto Pearson
Caramel escaped from carrier on arrival; staff, volunteers and a humane trap brought the cat home to owner Abir Batikhi.
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Abir Batikhi, traveling from Jordan to Toronto with four cats, arrived at Toronto Pearson on an earlier date when seven-year-old Caramel's carrier was found empty on the airport grounds. How the cat escaped remains unclear.
For more than two weeks, Caramel was lost in the terminal complex. On Sept. 2, airport staff and volunteers working with Falcon Environmental, an animal recovery firm, located and captured the cat in a humane trap. She was transported to Montreal on Sept. 4 and reunited with Batikhi.
Batikhi said she nearly did not believe the news when the station manager for Royal Jordan airline in Toronto sent her a photo of Caramel after the capture. "I really thank God and I think it's a miracle to find a small cat in this big airport. But the (airport employees) did a great job."
The reunion revealed the toll of Caramel's ordeal. Batikhi described her as frightened, having lost weight, and showing signs of nervousness. "But once she saw me, she started talking to me. She did not stop talking to me in the car all the way." The next morning, Caramel ate normally with her sister and brother, settling back into routine.
Toronto Pearson airport officials issued a statement thanking everyone involved in the search: "We are grateful to everyone involved in the search effort, particularly Falcon Environmental, whose expertise and dedication were central to locating Caramel. We also thank the airport employees and partners who remained vigilant, posted flyers, shared information, and kept watch for Caramel throughout the search."
The facts
How long was Caramel lost at Toronto Pearson?
Caramel was lost for more than two weeks in the terminal complex.
When was Caramel captured?
Caramel was located and captured on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by airport staff and volunteers working with Falcon Environmental, an animal recovery firm.
When was Caramel reunited with her owner?
Caramel was transported to Montreal on Friday, September 4, 2026, and reunited with Abir Batikhi.
What condition was Caramel in after being found?
Caramel was frightened, had lost weight, and showed signs of nervousness, but she began eating normally the next morning and quickly settled back into routine.
