Air Canada sent a passenger's cats from Toronto to San Francisco without him – and then told him to go collect them

After checking in for his Air Canada flight from Toronto to San Francisco, Abbas was denied boarding because of visa issues.

He had to send his two cats to San Francisco.

Air Canada wouldn't let his cats fly without him, but his luggage could.

He was told the cats had been sent to the US without him.

Air Canada suggested that he try to get to San Francisco himself or that someone collect the cats for him. He said that he did not have anyone to collect them.

Abbas Zoeb

After being separated from his pets for more than 15 hours, he was finally able to see them at the airport.

"My pets were being treated like disposable luggage and I was in fear since no one could tell me where they were," he stated. I collected my animals and they were sick. They were both sneezing.

According to an update posted on the airline's website, Air Canada no longer allows pets to be checked into the baggage compartment. New rules that are in effect until September 12 were cited by the airline as being longer than usual.

The update says that passengers who want to fly with their pets must either take them on board as hand luggage or send them via Air Canada Cargo. An email was sent to Insider from the airline.

I don't want any pet parent to go through what I did, so I'm happy they won't be taking pets in cargo anywhere.

Pets have been swept up in baggage chaos before.

A dog was left traumatized after being left among lost luggage at the busiest airport in Canada. According to Butts, airport staff told her to go home after her dog didn't show up with her other bags.

Air Canada has faced a number of lost luggage complaints in the last month, with one passenger accusing the airline of losing her parents' ashes.

In his six years working for Air Canada, the ramp agent told Insider that this summer's travel chaos was the worst he'd seen.

According to Air Canada, the global air transport industry is currently challenged due to issues with airport capacity issues, airport-managed baggage systems and third-party providers of such services as passenger screening, customs, and air navigation. We are working with our partners and governments to find a solution to these issues.