Delta Airlines

RE: Misplaced Cat on Delta Airlines

My husband took a flight out of Seattle on Jan. 17th, 2006 and landed in Milan on Jan. 18th, 2006 without our cat and another piece of baggage. After a bit of research I was told the cat was not placed on the outbound flight from Seattle to Atlanta and was placed on the next outbound flight. The cat missed my husband’s connection and had to wait in Atlanta for the next flight (DL#74) which was due to leave Atlanta the evening of the 18th and arrive in Milan on the 19th of Jan.

A Delta representative in Milan called us the morning of the 19th to inform us that the missing bag had arrived but once again, the cat did not arrive. After numerous calls to luggage department in Atlanta, the cargo department in Atlanta, Delta Airline customer service, the animal kennel in Atlanta, I was told the cat was still in Atlanta as of the 19th of Jan. but was due to fly to Milan on DL#74 on the evening of the 19th and arrive in Milan on the 20th of Jan. He did not make that flight and was left to spend another night at Atlanta kennel due to a miscommunication.

When he arrived in Turin the afternoon of the 20th of Jan., his kennel which had a cat bed in it, had been layered with shredded paper and newspaper (not by us), all of which were soaked with urine. His front and back legs were stained black from the urine soaked newsprint. We proceeded to immediately to take him to the veterinarian who informed us he was dehydrated, and looked very stressed out. In addition to this, his bowels were filled with compacted stool; constipation was not a problem for him before. He was given a laxative at the vet’s office and I am to give him another syringe-full the next day. His nose and lip were raw, we (the vet and I) assumed from constant rubbing against the kennel.

I received a letter that said they would refund the 110 USD excess baggage fee and sent me 2-150 USD travel vouchers but would not pay for the emergency vet visit, my long distance phone calls and for my inconvience. They did say they were sorry and that they were "disturbed" at what happened to my cat. All I can say is I will never use their airlines again.

Thank you for your time,

Gia Parsons