Articles

Maia has been found!!

Featured image for Maia has been found!!

On August 18, 2023, Paula Rodriguez was traveling with her dog, Maia, with a layover in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport where she was being transported (to the plane) on the runway, and staff had opened her kennel, and she had escaped into the middle of the runway.

Ever since Maia went missing, animal lover Robin Allgood, an Atlanta resident who works to find lost dogs has put up flyers around the airport for Maia.

More than three weeks later, on Saturday, September 9th, a FedEx employee recognized Maia from the flyers and informed Robin about the discovery. Maia was found near the airport's North Cargo facilities under a rack used to move big cargo containers around the airport. After a wildlife biologist failed to catch Maia with a net, Robin Allgood was able to grab her while scooting on her back under the rack.

Delta is currently working on reuniting Paula and Maia!

Here are full articles from The Independent and CNN Travel.

Need Help?

Have questions about pet air travel? Visit our FAQ page or explore our comprehensive guides.

View FAQs
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

2024 Airline Pet Travel Summary
Article

2024 Airline Pet Travel Summary

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) documented 12 pet-related air travel incidents, comprising 4 injuries and 8 deaths, with no reported losses. ​

Mar 31, 2025
March 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
Report

March 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report

Happy to report there were no pet incidents for the travel month of January 2026!

Mar 01, 2026
February 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
Report

February 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report

December 2025 Animal Transport Consumer Report This month we have one incident to report, from Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines reported the...

Feb 01, 2026
SVAN: Flying With a Trained Service Animal in the Cabin
Article

SVAN: Flying With a Trained Service Animal in the Cabin

SVAN is the Special Service Request code airlines use when a passenger travels with a trained service animal in the cabin. Here is what the code means, who qualifies under DOT rules, and the step-by-step process: forms, timing, airport relief areas, and on-board requirements.

Jul 04, 2026
CDC announced final rule to its dog and cat importation regulation
Article

CDC announced final rule to its dog and cat importation regulation

On May 13, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its final ruling associated with the importation of dogs into the United States to provide clarity and safeguards that address the public health risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV). This final rule addresses the importation of cats as part of overall changes to the regulations affecting both dogs and cats, but the final rule does not require that imported cats be accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination and does not substantively change how cats are imported into the United States.

May 25, 2024
August 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
Report

August 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report

This month we have one death to report, from Alaska Airlines, for the travel month of June 2026. On June 12, 2026, a 6-year-old French Bulldog...

Aug 01, 2026