Store cat who hitched a ride across country reunited with staff

8 Oct 2025 • 4:18 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • Beloved calico cat Francine has returned to her Lowe's store home in Richmond, Virginia, after going missing for weeks.
  • Francine was discovered at a company distribution centre in Garysburg, North Carolina, having hitched a ride on a truck in September.
  • Store employees reviewed surveillance footage showing her entering a truck bound for the distribution centre, prompting a search effort involving animal control and thermal drones.
  • After being spotted on camera and subsequently trapped, two Richmond Lowe's employees drove 90 minutes to retrieve Francine on Monday.
  • Francine is now back at the store, playing with customers, and her homecoming will be celebrated with a "Francine Fest" and a team party.

IN FULL