Cat scan: Feline in carrying case goes through X-ray at checkpoint in Norfolk airport

NORFOLK, Va. — It was called a “cat-astrophic mistake” by a Transportation Security Administration official, but a feline was OK after it was sent through a checkpoint’s X-ray machine at Norfolk International Airport on Friday.

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A traveler left their pet cat in a carrying case at a TSA checkpoint at the Virginia airport, WAVY-TV reported. TSA officials saw the cat through the X-ray scan and immediately removed the animal from the case, according to the television station.

“Attention pet owners: Please do not send your pet through the X-ray unit,” TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein tweeted. “Cat-astrophic mistake!”

According to Norfolk International’s website, pets are not allowed inside airport terminals unless they are traveling by air in a kennel or a carrying case. Service and emotional support animals are required to remain on a leash at all times.

Farbstein said that passengers should remove their pets from the carrier before sending it through the X-ray. The passenger and pet must then walk through the TSA checkpoint, WVEC-TV reported.

“The proper way being to remove the cat from the travel bag,” Farbstein said.

In other words, the cat is out of the bag if the procedure is followed properly.

In this case, the owner held their cat and they went through the checkpoint together, according to the television station.

Farbstein said the cat was not harmed by going through the X-ray scanner, WAVY reported.