KANSAS CITY, Missouri — If Jeni Owens' cat could speak, it would have quite the story to tell.
After being missing for the past three years, Sarin, a short-hair tabby feline, was miraculously reunited with Owens' family Thursday afternoon after taking a flight from Durango to the Kansas City International Airport.
“We honestly thought she was dead,” said Owens, who was alongside her daughter, Paylen Wichert, 9, and son, Parker Winchert, 12.
Theories surrounding the family's first pet disappearance ranged from a fox getting her to escaping into a moving truck to a neighborhood cat fight gone bad. Sarin was an indoor cat with a knack for sneaking outside.
That side of the story will likely never be solved, but didn't seem to matter as Owens, Paylen and Parker awaited outside of baggage claim for airport officials to call them over.
Traveling in style from Colorado to Kansas City International Airport
After confirming the family's cat via microchip at La Plata County Humane Society, volunteer Cathy Roberts made arrangements for the reunion. With the help of Durango-La Plata County Airport, Roberts got American Airlines to deliver Sarin, free of charge, to KCI.
Ed Lacy, Durango general manager for American Airlines, and Beth Bachus, administrative assistant for American Airlines, accompanied Sarin on the journey.
“Although I have been involved in shipping a lot of animals around the world in my past cargo life, this is a unique first for Beth and I,” said Lacy.
The trip, which began early Thursday morning in Durango, sent the crew to Phoenix for a layover before they arrived in Kansas City later that afternoon.
“I was just thrilled to help out,” Bachus said. “I'm an animal lover. I would want to know there was somebody who did the same thing for me and was inside and was there for the first few days.”
Passengers of American Airlines have the option to ship pets either in the cargo area of planes or be with their owners in the cabin for an extra charge. Bachus said he waived the extra fees to have Sarin sit with them.
The airline-specific pet carrier Sarin traveled in was a gift from the La Plata County Humane Society.
Sarin gets welcome home from her family
The shock of being reunited with Sarin wasn't lost by Owens and her family as they were reunited.
After a full day of traveling, American Airlines offered Sarin a private room to get plenty of pets from her family before the final trip back to Topeka.
“She looks great,” Owens said. “I mean, she's been on the run, it looks like, for a while. Because of the hair loss. But otherwise, she looks amazing.”
Paylen, who was 6 at the time of Sarin's disappearance, said it was nice to see her again as well.
“I'm very happy,” she said.
The family has since adopted another cat, Amelia, and have two golden retrievers, Cooper and Thomas, who will be greeting them back home.
Before leaving, Joe McBride, spokesman for Kansas City International Airport and self-described cat person, met the family to see Sarin off.
“Airports are about are about making connections,” McBride said. “And it's usually with humans. In this case, it's humans with their beloved pet and it's another wonderful connection.”
