Richmond, VA – A beloved cat, who became the unofficial mascot of a Richmond, Virginia, Lowe’s store, has been found and captured after weeks on the run. The cat, Francine, vanished in September and employees quickly determined she had hopped an unintended ride on a loading truck bound for a Lowe’s distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina.
All hands were on deck to try to find and secure Francine. North Hampton County Animal Control set humane traps at the distribution center, signs and flyers were posted, and an entire community pitched in to find the missing cat. Some possible sightings were reported, but Francine remained elusive.
Everything changed on October 4 when Francine’s little face was observed on one of the distribution center’s cameras. In a news release, Sida, Lowe’s store manager, expressed the excitement over Francine’s appearance on the camera, “I can’t describe the feeling when we realized it was her. We all just lit up.”
With the help of Francine’s favorite food, and multiple humane traps set in the area, success was finally achieved – Francine was trapped and safe. Associate Wayne Schneider said, “When I received the text that we got her and she was safe, I just couldn’t stop smiling.”
Francine was promptly driven back to the people who loved her, and the store she called home.
“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.”
(Images via Lowe’s press release)
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