Photo: Thinkstock

In case you missed it, this past October 22nd was declared "Jack the Cat Awareness Day." The Jack in question is a fluffy orange cat who has been missing since August 25th. The LA Times Nation Now blog reports that Jack was last seen in the cargo area of JFK airport  when his owner, Karen Pascoe, checked the cat in for an American Airlines flight to California. A half an hour later she was told that baggage handlers had found Jack's crate was empty.

While this is undoubtedly distressing for Pascoe and Barry (her other cat, who made the trip safely), it's heartening that there's been such a grassroots response to this story. Jack's Facebook page has over 15,500 followers and is constantly being updated with possible sightings and other news. There are video tributes to the cat on YouTube. An imposter Jack was returned to the airport by some kids hoping for a reward; Jack-look-alikes have been spotted in the neighborhood near JFK.

Dozens of people showed up at JFK on Jack the Cat Awareness Day to search for the kitty and to raise publicity for their cause. While Jack hasn't been found, he is certainly becoming quite famous—his story's been covered all across the world, including UK's Daily Mail. American Airlines say they have hired a pet detective, flown Pascoe back from California to help search, and placed food, water and humane traps in the cargo area, but no one has seen head nor—sorry—tail of the feline, and Jack's supporters are threatening to boycott the airline until the cat is found. Let's hope he's found soon—and awarded lots and lots of frequent flyer miles. 

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