A cat that broke out of its carrier at the Edmonton International Airport in September was found frozen to death, CBC reported Thursday.
“The body of George was found on the grounds of the airport on Monday, a victim of a cold snap that hit the Edmonton area late last week,” CBC reported.
George escaped from his kennel – twice – on Sept. 23. When his flight from Fort McMurrary landed in Edmonton, he made his first escape. After ground staff caught him and put him back in the carrier, he got away again, according to CBC.
Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah said ground crew members had seen George a few times and even set out food in hopes of luring him to safety, but they were unable to capture him.
The airline, in its search, had let airport staff with the nearby city of Leduc know about the missing cat and also distributed a photo of George around the terminal, CBC said.
"To know that the poor cat, like he froze to death, is just heartbreaking," George's owner Vanessa Summerfield told CBC.
Air Canada said a key bolt in the door of the kennel was missing.
"Air Canada's Edmonton team is so sad about George," Mah told CBC in an email.
She added, "Since George escaped his kennel after arriving in YEG on September 23, we had always remained hopeful as there had been periodic sightings in our daily search for him and this is difficult for everyone involved."
