Not to take away from your story, but, I had a kinda sorta similar thing happen with DL Cargo....

I was flying PIT/NYC - overnight stopover - then to Europe. I realized on the plane to NYC that I forgot my passport. It was over a weekend, so FedEx wasn't an option. My office mgr took the passport to DL Cargo at PIT. PIT Cargo assured me that the passport would be delivered to the EWR ticket counter (for $82~).

When the passport arrived, they told me to pick it up at DL Cargo at EWR. I told them that I absolutely could not get to DL Cargo, as I was taking the bus from NYC. They told me there was nothing they could do - - The passport could NOT be delivered to the ticket counter.

I hate to admit it, but, I pulled an absolutely livid DM DYKWIA with EWR Cargo! It took a few hours of phone calls and supv. approvals, but, they got it done and my passport was waiting for me in the safe at the EWR ticket counter.

Delta Cargo simply doesn't have their act together.

Of course, this is not anywhere nearly as bad as a live animal - - I'm a cat lover - hava bunch of them!

Good luck, and let us know what happens!