Francine, a longtime feline resident of a Richmond Lowe’s, is back home after a weekslong search that took her more than 85 miles away. (Credit: Lowe's)
RICHMOND, Va. - A Richmond-based Lowe's has been reunited with its resident cat after the feline was found missing more than 85 miles away from the store.
Francine, a stray cat who made the store her home eight years ago, vanished in mid-September, prompting a search by employees and customers alike.
Investigations revealed that Francine had accidentally hitched a ride on a truck bound for the Lowe’s distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina, about 85 miles south of Richmond.
The backstory:
Northampton County Animal Control responded by setting up humane traps around the distribution center, while staff plastered signs and flyers featuring Francine’s photo across the facility.
Alongside the 246 security cameras already surveying the distribution center, Lowe’s deployed thermal drones to aid in the search.
Lowe’s employees and animal control officials launched an extensive search, using thermal drones, surveillance cameras, and humane traps to locate Francine. (Credit: Lowe's)
Then, on the evening of October 4 — Francine finally appeared on one of the cameras near the distribution center.
Lowe’s employees made their way to the distribution center. Armed with Francine’s favorite food and her familiar dish, they hoped the recognizable sound might coax the cat out of hiding.
In the meantime, crews installed additional cameras and set up seven more humane traps.
Just before midnight, Francine was caught near one of the traps.
What they're saying:
"From the start, we knew we’d do whatever it took to bring Francine home," Store Manager Mike Sida said in an online news release. "She’s part of who we are here."
"I can’t describe the feeling when we realized it was her," he added. "We all just lit up."
What's next:
The store said Francine would return soon, hoping to greet customers again.
"We care for Francine so much, and we’re so thankful for everyone who helped, from our associates to animal control and our neighbors," Sida said. "She’s more than our store cat – she’s part of our family."
The Source: Information for this story comes from an official news release issued by Lowe’s, along with details provided by Northampton County Animal Control and staff members at the Richmond Lowe’s store. This story was reported from Los Angeles.