A couple who got married in Greece said they were terrified when three kittens they rescued from Crete went missing after being placed in the cargo hold of their flight.
Bethany Mulcahy-Stephenson, a veterinary nurse, and her husband Adam first visited Crete in September 2023. There, they found a mother cat with a severely bulging eye that needed surgery. They named her Abba.
When they returned to Crete for their wedding in May, they found Abba with four new kittens and pregnant again. Two of the kittens had eye infections, and one was blind. The couple named them Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha, and Frida.
They reached out to a local rescuer who offered temporary care, but the kittens needed permanent homes. “It was a life or death situation,” Bethany said. “We knew at least the blind one, and likely another, wouldn’t survive otherwise. The choice was obvious.”
After getting the kittens veterinary care and vaccinations, they arranged to fly them to Paris. From their home in Barrowford, Lancashire, they planned to drive to Calais to pick them up.
The kittens traveled with Aegean Airlines. Only two cats were allowed in the cabin, so three kittens were placed in a crate in the cargo hold.
While waiting at the Eurotunnel terminal, Bethany received a text from their rescuer in Greece: the airline had lost three of the kittens. “I went into complete panic,” she said. “We had no idea where they were—whether they’d left Greece, were in France, or had been left on the tarmac.”
Eventually, they learned the kittens had been flown from Thessaloniki to Paris but were never unloaded. “They were somehow forgotten in the hold,” Bethany explained. “The plane turned around and flew straight back to Thessaloniki—another three-hour flight.”
The couple feared the worst. “I thought they were dead or would never be found,” Bethany admitted. “Even if they were alive, I worried about the cold, noise, and lack of food and water in the hold. I didn’t think we’d see them again.”
After two days of uncertainty, the airline agreed to fly the kittens back via Athens—this time in the cabin, accompanied by a handler.
When Bethany was finally reunited with them, she said, “I kept shining a torch into the crate, counting them over and over. I was so relieved to have them safe in the car.”
The kittens were traumatized and refused to eat, so the couple took them to an emergency vet. They still haven’t received a clear explanation or an apology from Aegean Airlines.
Adam added, “We’d like the airline to…”The airline needs to acknowledge the issue here. Ideally, we would like to see changes made to prevent animals from being transported in the cargo hold.
Aegean Airlines responded: “Regarding the three kittens you mentioned, we want to clarify that they were never lost. When the flight arrived in Paris, they were not unloaded right away due to operational reasons. As soon as this was noticed, we immediately coordinated with all relevant stations and our customer service team to ensure the kittens were cared for and kept safe until they could be reunited with their owners.
The kittens continued their journey the same day under the direct supervision of the Aegean crew, who provided them with food and water during the flight. That same evening, they were safely reunited with their owners in Paris.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the situation with the newlyweds rescued kittens lost by an airline in Crete written in a natural conversational tone
General Information
Q What exactly happened with the newlyweds and their kittens in Crete
A A couple on their honeymoon in Crete rescued two stray kittens On their flight home the airline mistakenly loaded the kittens carrier onto the wrong plane separating the family and leaving the kittens lost somewhere in the airport system
Q Which airline was responsible for losing the kittens
A While specific airline names can change with different news reports this type of incident is often associated with major international carriers that handle pet cargo Its important to check the latest news for the specific airline involved
Q Were the kittens ever found
A As of the kittens The search is ongoing
For Those Considering a Similar Situation
Q Im traveling and want to rescue an animal abroad What should I do first
A First contact animal rescue organizations in the area and in your home country They can provide crucial advice on legal requirements health checks and may even have established processes to help
Q What are the essential steps to prepare a rescued animal for air travel
A 1 Visit a local vet immediately for a health check vaccinations and a microchip
2 Research extensively your home countrys and airlines specific pet import regulations
3 Get an approved travel carrier that meets airline standards and is clearly labeled with your information
4 Consider a pet shipping agent for complex international moves
Q Should I carry my pet in the cabin with me if possible
A Absolutely If the animal is small enough and the airline allows it keeping them in the cabin with you is the safest option to ensure they are never out of your sight
Dealing with the Airline Logistics
Q If this happens to me what is the first thing I should do at the airport
