Cat forgotten on plane – flew around for 24 hours

In 24 hours, the cat Mittens flew three times over the sea between Australia and New Zealand, alone in her cage in the cargo hold of a plane.

Eight-year-old Mittens, a Maine Coon breed, was forgotten when the plane was unloaded after arriving in Melbourne. At the airport, owner Margo Neas waited in vain. Eventually, she found out that the plane had returned to Christchurch, just under four hours away – with Mittens still on board.

I just said: "How can this happen? How? Good grief", says Neas.

When Mittens finally arrived in Melbourne, where the family had moved, she had lost weight but was otherwise fine.

She ran straight into my arms, says Margo Neas.