Richmond, VA – Francine, a beloved calico cat at a Lowe’s store in Richmond, Virginia, has been safely returned after going missing for several weeks. The adventurous feline unexpectedly traveled to a Lowe’s distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina, before being reunited with her home store.
Francine’s Journey
Francine disappeared in September, around the time the store was preparing for the upcoming Christmas season, which may have disrupted her usual routine. Surveillance footage revealed the cat exploring the appliance section and later sneaking into a truck in the receiving department. An overnight manager then unknowingly drove the truck to Garysburg, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) south.
Two Lowe’s employees made a 90-minute drive early Monday to retrieve Francine, who was back on duty by Tuesday, delighting customers and posing for photos.
“Francine is one of us,” said store supervisor Wayne Schneider. “She’s just amazing. What she means here to the store and the employees, you really can’t imagine the outpouring that the employees and also the customers give her daily.”
Search Efforts
The search for Francine included a mix of technology and community support:
- Humane traps were placed at the distribution center to safely capture her.
- Thermal drones and surveillance cameras were used to monitor her location.
- An Instagram account, unaffiliated with Lowe’s, dedicated to finding Francine gained over 34,000 followers.
On Saturday, Francine was finally spotted on camera near the distribution center. As per AP, the volunteers checked the traps throughout the night until one captured her, allowing the team to hear her meows and safely retrieve her.
Francine’s Life at Lowe’s
Francine began living at the Richmond Lowe’s store more than eight years ago as a stray. She quickly became a favorite among employees and customers, spending most of her time near the customer service desk or the seasonal section. Cats are often welcomed in stores that deal with grain or seeds, which can attract rodents, making Francine not just a companion but also a helpful presence.
“Francine picked us. We didn’t pick her,” said Mike Sida, the store’s general manager. “Later, we would embrace her being our store cat. But at the end of the day, she came to us. Where she’s at is where she wants to be. She does whatever she wants.”
While Francine had previously worn collars, she escaped them all. The store now plans to outfit her with a harness containing identifying information to prevent future disappearances.
Community Celebration
To celebrate her safe return, a local brewery will host a “Francine Fest” event on Wednesday, while Lowe’s employees plan a special in-store party. Francine’s story demonstrates not only the bond between pets and communities but also the lengths people will go to ensure the safety of an animal they love.
Have you ever rescued a pet or helped find a missing animal? Share your stories in the comments below!
