THE cat, a female feline named Pepper, was to travel to China with her owner who was taking up a new job. But Pepper bolted from her owner on April 20 as they were preparing to board the flight to China.

The owner had to board the flight without Pepper after she alerted airport authorities who could not locate the frisky feline prior to takeoff.

The wayward cat was loose at busy John F. Kennedy International Airport for a week before she was found.

WABC-TV reports that Pepper the cat was lured out of hiding early on Saturday. Pepper was spotted several times in non-public areas but eluded capture for days.

Then on Saturday, the officer who led the rescue effort enlisted the help of a friend of Pepper’s owner, who called Pepper by her Mandarin name and enticed her with food.

The officer and the friend then grabbed Pepper and the friend will be responsible for getting Pepper safely to her owner.