Volunteers head to North Carolina in search of Lowe’s cat Francine who has been missing for over a week

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A crew of volunteers is on the hunt for a well-known local cat who’s now missing. Francine the cat lives at the Lowe’s 1640 West Broad Street in Richmond. She's called the store home for eight years, accepting pets and treats from shoppers.  

But now, she hasn't been seen since Sept. 17. Store employees now believe she's in another state.

Eight volunteers went to Garysburg, North Carolina, on Monday, Sept. 29, after Francine wandered onto a semi-truck leaving Richmond for North Carolina and ended up at a distribution center there.

With the help of the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), volunteers searched the woods and hung pictures of her, hoping to bring their furry friend home.  

“Everyone knows who she is," said volunteer and Richmonder Aeron Spencer. "Everyone loves her.”  

The group is calling themselves Task Force Francine and made the 1 hour and 20 minute drive to the Lowe's distribution center in North Carolina.

“We are currently riding there to work with others to locate, find her and hopefully bring her home," Britt Nova, another volunteer, told 8News while heading there.  

SOS Cats RVA is offering a $2,000 reward for Francine.

Francine’s unknown whereabouts quickly grabbed people on social media.  

Elise Gilmore and Chas Nabi created @wheresfrancine on Instagram to keep the community updated. In just a few days there have been more than a million interactions on the account.    

The Northampton County Animal Control will be setting traps and providing updates to Gilmore and Nabi. The pair also hit the road, sporting Francine t-shirts and feeling hopeful.  

One volunteer, Heather Maupin, has been tracking all communications on an elaborate spreadsheet and was able to bring Francine's crate on the road.

“We have Francine's cat carrier that has her scent," she said. "The hope is that having her scent will help her come back and feel safe and comforted.”  

The crew spent the day showing the Garysburg locals Francine's photo and asking they keep an eye out for her.  

They say the community’s response there has been great, some even setting out food for her.  

“They’re very concerned for Francine as well and they are spreading the word," Nova said.   

Richmond SPCA Chief Executive Officer Tamsen Kingry said the local response is inspiring.

"Never underestimate this community or the compassionate people in it," she said. "They band together to ensure the best possible outcome for an animal in need."  

For updates, you can follow @wheresfrancine on Instagram.   

A spokesperson for Lowe's shared this statement:

"We are pet lovers at Lowe's, and Francine holds a special place in our hearts. She is a local celebrity in Richmond and dearly loved by everyone in the community, from our customers to our store associates. We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received this past week from people who love her as much as we do. The store team had Francine microchipped to help in case of a situation like this, and we are doing all we can to locate her. Our goal is to see our beloved Francine back in the store soon, safe and in good health. We thank everyone for keeping an eye out. If anyone sees her, we urge them to contact the store."