B.C. woman's pet gecko goes missing on WestJet flight

A woman who just moved to Vancouver this week is desperate to find her pet gecko after it went missing on a WestJet flight from Toronto.

Nom is a Gargoyle Gecko and only 11-months-old and was not allowed to fly in the cabin with her mom Meryl Bishop as the pair moved to B.C. from Ontario. Bishop said she was forced to ship the little gecko through cargo on Sunday and dropped her off with GTA Worldwide at 5:15 a.m. Bishop then took flight 703 with WestJet and began her non-stop, direct flight to Vancouver.

“The reason for this flight, and why she was being shipped in the first place, is because I was moving from Ottawa to Vancouver alone,” said Bishop on social media.

Five hours later they landed in Vancouver and Bishop went to retrieve her baggage and find out where Nom was being held. Bishop said she was given the wrong pick-up address and had to call the cargo hotline.

“No big deal, but I was a little miffed that I was given incorrect information and she was going to have to wait longer for me to pick her up,” continued Bishop.

It took a while for things to get sorted and for Bishop to be helped at the WestJet Cargo location in Vancouver, but once she did, it was bad news. Bishop was told the box was missing.

“So I've been calling. And calling. I was told a tracer was sent out, as well as an alert, and that all the cargo holds would be looking for my little girl.”

By 8:30 p.m. on Sunday Bishop learned that a sweep at Pearson International had not been completed and her pet was still missing.

“This isn't baggage, this is a package containing a live animal. This should have been done AS SOON as the information was sent out. I was also told that she may have been sent to a warehouse not open, and therefore not available for me to pick up on the same day, as I was promised.”

Bishop took to Facebook to share her story as the hours piled up and there was still no word about her gecko.

“At this point, I'm doubting that she will be alive. Reptiles are often shipped using overnight express, in order to avoid high heat, and to prevent them from being cooped up too long. Her wet paper towel to keep her cool, and to give her water, has definitely dried out by now.”

Bishop has posted several updates online saying that it has been well over 48 hours now and her pet still has not been located.

“I'm beyond heartbroken, which most of you know. Nom means the world to me. I've given them permission to open her shipping container, and basic care information on the chance she is still alive.”

Nom is still missing and Bishop distraught as WestJet continues to search for the little creature. There's no word yet as to what happened to the gecko, but Bishop is hoping that the outcome is positive and her pet will be found safe and sound.