I agree, accident, never believed those tales about cats that find their owners across the continent after going missing during a move, instead they probably hid in the luggage undetected, and wandered out at a time of their own choosing.
You would have to be pretty stupid to think that a cat could somehow travel three thousand miles by itself across wilderness and hostile terrain.
And for that matter, pretty stupid to place a cat in your airline luggage. I guess it was carry-on though, surely, or the TSA would not be opening it.
concur with the accident but don’t agree with your travel assessments completely.
We moved when I was about 8. Had a tabby male. Had him when we got to the new place for about 2 days. He disappeared. Got a call from our relatives who lived next door at the old place. He showed up 2 days after he was missing. About 60 miles away over a decent sized river. Did this 3 times before he finally stayed put. Never did think he was happy about it though. Always seemed much grumpier then before after that.
I’m convinced that cats and dogs can navigate to places they’ve been. Agree with you on new places they’ve showed up unexpected.