After two distressing months of searching, a California couple has been joyfully reunited with their cat, Rayne Beau, who had gone missing during a camping trip in Yellowstone National Park. Benny and Susanne Anguiano received the good news last month when an animal welfare organization contacted them to say their cat was found in Roseville, California, approximately 800 miles away from the park.
The trouble began in June when the Anguianos were camping, and Rayne Beau was startled by an unknown noise, causing him to dash into the trees. Despite their relentless daily searches and efforts to lure him back with treats and toys, the couple was unable to find him for two months. “We had to leave without him,” Susanne shared. “That was the hardest day because I felt like I was abandoning him.”
In early August, a breakthrough occurred thanks to Rayne Beau’s microchip. The couple learned through Pet Watch, a pet-tracking service, that their cat had been discovered by a woman wandering alone in Roseville, prompting her to take him to the local SPCA.
“He was really depleted,” Susanne reported, noting he seemed to have little energy left. Susanne initially hesitated to share their emotional journey until now, labeling it “too traumatic” to discuss until they were reunited.
While the journey of how Rayne Beau traversed the 800 miles remains a mystery, the couple hopes that by sharing their experience, someone may come forward with more information. In their interview, they stressed the importance of pet trackers to help avoid losing animals.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, around 10 million dogs and cats go missing or are stolen each year in the U.S. Only one out of every 50 cats in shelters is reunited with their owners, but using a microchip significantly increases the chances, with nearly 40% being returned to their families.