Virginia Lowe’s Staff Mobilizes to Find Beloved Missing Cat
In Richmond, Virginia, a beloved cat named Francine has captured the hearts of both customers and employees at a local Lowe’s store. For nearly ten years, Francine, a former stray, has been a fixture in the garden department. However, a few months ago, she mysteriously disappeared, leaving her caretaker and staff concerned.
Search Efforts for Francine the Cat
Wayne Schneider, Francine’s primary caretaker, sensed something was wrong when she went missing. He believed she might have accidentally boarded a freight truck headed to a Lowe’s distribution center in Statesville, North Carolina, approximately 85 miles away. The thought of searching such a vast area was daunting.
Involving the Distribution Center Team
Determined to find Francine, Schneider sought support from warehouse managers at the distribution center, Preston Bullock and Taylor Taconet. Their shared goal was clear: retrieve their missing “family member.” As Bullock stated, “Our mission is to solve problems,” while Taconet emphasized their commitment to assist in the search.
Search Techniques and Breakthrough
- Attempts to lure Francine with her favorite food, Fancy Feast.
- Deployment of a thermal drone for aerial surveillance.
- Use of a high-end 360-degree camera for thorough examinations.
Despite these efforts, initial attempts yielded no results. However, perseverance paid off when surveillance footage revealed a grainy image of Francine in a truck parking area, leading to her eventual rescue.
Return of Francine
The moment they found her was filled with emotion. Taconet described feeling overwhelmed with joy, while Schneider couldn’t hold back his tears. Soon after, Schneider and store manager Mike Sida drove to North Carolina, reuniting Francine with her community in Richmond. Today, she is back to her familiar routine, greeting customers and roaming the store.
Sida expressed relief at Francine’s return, stating, “It’s good to see her back where she belongs.” This heartwarming story highlights the bond between employees and their cherished feline friend at Lowe’s.
