The family, who lives near Sarasota, according to mysuncoast.com, bought the hairless peterbald kitten from a breeder in Canada. The kitten was being transported to its new family for the first time.

Rudy's cage broke open, and the kitten escaped into the cargo area around 7 a.m. Thursday.

A Delta Airlines spokesperson said a search is underway and the airline is looking into what went wrong.

The family started a Facebook page "Help us find Rudy." They are offering a $2,000 cash reward for the cat's recovery, according to a post on the page.

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Stacey Abrams speaks at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Georgia State University’s convocation center in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Abrams is at the center of speculation over whether she will mount a third campaign for governor. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC