After two months of despair, a couple from California was overjoyed to be reunited with their cat, Rayne Beau, who had been lost in Yellowstone National Park. Benny and Susanne Anguiano’s ordeal came to an end when they received a call from an animal welfare organization informing them their pet had been found in Roseville, California, approximately 800 miles from where he went missing.
The couple had been camping in Yellowstone in June when their cat became frightened by something in the woods and bolted into the trees. Despite their daily searches, which included leaving treats and toys in hopes he would return, there was no sign of Rayne Beau for two months. “We had to leave without him,” Susanne shared, describing the experience as heartbreaking and akin to abandoning him.
In early August, a breakthrough came thanks to Rayne Beau’s microchip. The Anguianos were notified by Pet Watch, a pet-tracking service, that their cat was in Roseville at the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A passerby had found him wandering alone in the street and took him to the shelter. Susanne noted that Rayne Beau appeared weak and exhausted upon his recovery.
Susanne had kept their story off social media until now due to its emotional weight, but she hopes that sharing it will encourage others to come forward with any information about how Rayne Beau made his long journey. The couple also emphasized the importance of microchips for pet owners, as it can significantly increase the chances of being reunited with lost pets.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, around 10 million pets are lost or stolen in the United States each year. While only about 2% of lost cats are returned to their owners, those with microchips have a nearly 40% chance of being reunited.