Cat named Luigi found safe 2 weeks after disappearing from BC Ferries sailing

It’s the purr-fect ending to a tale of a missing cat. Two weeks after Luigi vanished on a ferry, he’s been found safe and sound.

A cat named Luigi who slipped out of the car while on a BC Ferries sailing two weeks ago is now reunited with his family, safe and sound, following an incredible rescue effort.

Since Luigi disappeared during a Duke Point to Tsawwassen sailing on Aug. 9, his owner Neelya Herbert says she’s received many, many photos of similar tuxedo cats from people keeping their eyes peeled across the province.

But on Sunday, she finally heard news of a confirmed sighting of her beloved pet at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.

“That was the best picture to ever get,” she told CTV News on Monday.

BC Ferries commercial driver Jeff Meier spotted the cat hiding under a trailer in the yard trucks unload at the terminal. Karen Nixon and Dyanne Jack of Halo’s Pet Rescue, who have been at the helm of the search effort, spending hours and hours searching both terminals, immediately jumped into action.

Halo the rescue dog sniffed out Luigi’s location, and the team set a trap while Herbert travelled from her home in Vernon to the Lower Mainland.

After about 30 minutes of Herbert coaxing her cat, Luigi emerged from under the portable. She picked him up and held him tight.

“It was amazing. It was so good, it was like too good to be true,” Herbert said of the miraculous reunion. “It was just fabulous.”

She said Luigi was unhurt and happy to meet everyone at the ferry terminal, including Halo.

The exact details of Luigi’s journey will likely remain a mystery forever.

“He hasn’t told me exactly where he was or how he got there,” Herbert laughed. “I’m just grateful it’s over and he came home.”

She’s especially touched that so many people rooted for Luigi and never gave up hope.

“Just an incredible and heartfelt thank you to Karen and Dyanne and Halo for never giving up on us, following through, and the public’s incredible support and everybody rallying together for the happy ending, it’s so appreciated.”

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Mina Kerr-Lazenby