Francine, the beloved cat who spent eight years charming customers at a Lowe’s in Richmond, Virginia, sparked a massive rescue effort after mysteriously vanishing last month — and thankfully, her story has a happy ending.
The friendly white calico, known for napping on lumber piles and greeting shoppers in the garden center, disappeared on September 17. Employees later discovered she had accidentally boarded a delivery truck bound for a Lowe’s distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina.
Within days, local volunteers formed “Task Force Francine” — a group of animal lovers determined to bring the famous feline home. They drove hundreds of miles, posted flyers, and teamed up with the Richmond SPCA to search the massive North Carolina facility, even using thermal drones and humane traps to try to spot her.
“She’s part of the family. Everyone who shops here knows Francine,” volunteer Aeron Spencer told 8News. Another local, Elise Gilmore, created the Instagram account “Where’s Francine,” which quickly grew to more than 15,000 followers tracking her journey.
Even Lowe’s corporate joined in, working with professional trackers to find their unofficial store mascot. “Francine holds a special place in our hearts,” the company said in a statement. “She’s a local celebrity, and we’re doing everything we can to bring her home safely.”
After weeks of searching, Lowe’s confirmed the good news on October 6: Francine was found safe and sound — and is now back at her Richmond store.
“Several weeks of desperate searching. Thermal drones. Professional trackers. Video surveillance,” Lowe’s said in a press release. “The teams did everything they possibly could to locate their missing cat, Francine, in partnership with the Richmond community.”
For now, the famous feline is reportedly back to her old routine — snoozing among the potted plants and soaking up affection from delighted customers who never stopped looking for her.