A pet owner faced devastation and heartbreak when her beloved cat was left without food or water for an astonishing 35 hours due to a "human error."
Nina Galy, a 30-year-old traveler and TikTok influencer, was inconsolable upon receiving the distressing news from a gate attendant who revealed that her 10-year-old feline companion, named Baby Cat, had been mistakenly allowed to board the flight.
The incident unfolded as Nina Galy embarked on a long-planned journey from Los Angeles to Bali with her cherished cat. However, what she did not know is that strict rules prohibited the entry of animals into Bali, which added to the already devastating turn of events.
Long-planned and pre-paid trip
In a shocking twist, Nina was informed that she had to pay an additional $1,800 for a one-way return ticket to LAX, which would depart 13 hours later. However, even more distressingly, Nina claims that her cat was made to wait in a basement for an additional 13 hours before the return flight, leaving Baby Cat alone in a cage for over 35 hours without access to food or water.
Nina shared her feelings of being the "worst pet owner ever" and a sense of betrayal toward her faithful companion. Baby Cat had been a constant source of comfort throughout Nina's life experiences over the past decade, from earning a college degree to going through a divorce and multiple relocations.
The pet owner discovered that her cat had not been provided any nourishment or relief during the journey as the cage had been zip-tied shut, as instructed by customs. The import requirements of each country necessitated certain protocols, and Nina had followed them diligently.
Nina went on to recount the significant financial cost she had incurred while preparing for the trip. The expenses included a consultation fee of $85, an additional $404 for the first round of vaccinations, $675 for necessary blood work, and $150 for a COVID test. Additionally, she had to send the lab results to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a travel certificate, costing her an extra $150 for prepaid overnight labels.
Initially informed that her cat would be allowed to ride in the cabin with her, Nina was later instructed at the check-in counter that Baby Cat had to travel in the cargo cabin. Desperate to reach Bali after months of preparation, Nina reluctantly agreed, and her pet carrier was tagged with the final destination before being separated from her.
Upon arrival in Taiwan, Nina was directed to a holding area outside the boarding gate, where she was asked to wait for a manager. Growing increasingly concerned, she pleaded to speak with a manager to address the situation, but the response lacked empathy and urgency.
It was then revealed to her that her cat could not enter Bali due to "human error" during the boarding process at LAX. Given their admission of fault, Nina requested that China Airlines cover the cost of her return ticket to the US. However, the manager dismissed her request, stating that the airline owed her nothing.
Feeling defeated and traumatized, Nina reluctantly purchased a one-way return ticket for $1,800 from Taipei to LAX, which was still 13 hours away. Disturbingly, she was not allowed to be with her cat during this time, and Baby Cat had to remain alone in the basement for another 13 hours before boarding the return flight.
Upon their reunion, Nina discovered that her cat had defecated in the cage, a result of the prolonged confinement in the dark. Despite the distressing ordeal, Nina assured her concerned followers that Baby Cat was now safe, albeit with an unpleasant odor, and that there were valuable lessons to be learned from the experience.