Roaming Paws Lost Pet Services

29/12/2024

Welcome home Cole! I saw a post from a family that had a black lab show up at their home on Christmas. They asked for help to find his family and prepared a warm bed in their greenhouse to give him shelter.
I offered to scan him for a chip and the finders allowed me to do this.
Because Cole's owners cared enough to have him chipped they were reunited within a hour. The expenses that people pay to find a missing pet, can often be avoided just by paying an average of $40 to have your pet chipped. Sadly about 97% of the dogs with no owners known that I have been involved in recovering weren't chipped. Or they have not registered with the chip co giving current contact information. This places an unnecessary burden on the finders and shelters. Give your pets the gift of having a chance to get home quickly. The cost of chipping far outweighs the cost of not doing this simple act.
Thank you to the finders who did all they could to provide a safe place for Cole and Bravo to Cole's family for keeping the chip company contact information up to date.

28/12/2024

Kent WA,
Tucker went on Monday December 23, 2024 from his home near E Smith ST and Summit Ave N at about 3 am. There was a possible sighting 2 hours later about 2 miles away.
There has been a possible sighting of him today12/27/24, around 3 pm near Seatac park, S 200th St, SeaTac, WA 98198. The dog retreated into the bushes to hide.
He was wearing a chain collar, attached was his King County registration and current ID tags. He was wearing a RFID sensor for his dog door and a jingle bell on his collar.
He is 9 years old, 90 lbs, and neutered. Tucker has a medical condition that is being carefully monitored by his vet, but not yet diagnosed. He gets in discomfort in his gut and walks to relieve the pain. He will walk and pace.

He has gotten out before during one of these episodes and was found 2 days later about 3 miles from home. He is not people friendly. People can try get him to come to them by using calming signals. But it is best if seen to keep eyes on him and call the number on the flyer so his family can get there quickly.

His family has hit social media hard, put up signs and flyers. They are expanding the radius of the posters to try get ahead of where he likely is located. Included as a photo is a map showing a 2 to 5 mile radius from point of loss, where most lost dogs are found.
Please share this post.

Recovery advise is not needed, we just need to get sightings reported. Thank you.

24/12/2024

Missing from Walling, TN
Cheyenne went missing since Sunday 11/3/24 while on a walk with her mom and canine family. It was a route they took regularly and often. She was last seen in a pasture near home on Franks Ferry RD and Joppa RD ~ Walling, TN.
She is in good health, 11 years old, is spayed and chipped. She was wearing the harness shown in flyer when last seen. But may have lost weight enough so she could slip out of it. The family and neighbors have searched the local caves, rivers and creeks. Social media and flyers have been posted. Drones were used as well. But there has not been any confirmed sightings yet.

She is not social with humans. she may bark or sniff them but doesn't allow them to interact with her. She likes to be the Alpha of the pack. We are asking people not to try engage with her, just contact her family immediately if they think they see her. We discussed moving forward and are going to change format of signs, expand the area where they are posted to obtain more community awareness.
I realize this is out of state, but ask that you share her post especially if you know people in Walling, TN. Thank you.

17/12/2024

This is why it is so important that we microchip our pets and never give up hope if they go missing.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E1tpYD8zi/

05/12/2024

Do you recognize this dog?

This husky showed up near 44th Ave NE and 60th St E, Tacoma. with a puppy in tow a few days ago.
Amber was able to coax the puppy to her and it is safe. Because of overcrowding at the shelter, the puppy is in foster care. The husky would get close but not close enough to capture.
Arin also saw the husky and worked to try get it to safety but it would not cooperate. She posted asking for help to safely trap.
I was tagged and we all coordinated a time that evening to get trap set up.
Arin and her husband came and got the trap, we all met up and placed the trap at the location he was being fed. Scent broadcasting was done. The trap door tethered open so it could enter and exit the trap during the night without threat.
It didn't take long before he showed up and went in the trap without hesitation. Amber was able to monitor through security camera and went out to remove the tether and arm the trap.
It only took a few hours before he choose to go in the trap again, but this time the door closed behind him. He was safe.
Because of medical concerns he was brought into the Tacoma Humane Shelter the next day. After a 5 hour wait, they were able to find a kennel for him.
Please consider sharing this post. Huskies can travel far quickly. We do not know the circumstances of how he ended up alone, but really are doing the best we can to try reach his family or someone who recognizes him.
(note, ironically Amber's cat went missing several years ago. She contacted Roaming Paws Lost Pet Services and followed the advice given Her cat was found soon after. What a small world)
Thank you Amber and Arin as well as your families for caring enough to get involved and become this dog's advocate to get to safety. You did great
It's community members like you that truly do save lives.

Please consider sharing this post to help him get back home. Thank you.

03/12/2024

Do you recognize?
Posting for a friend who had this kitten come to their home. It is friendly. Unknown if male or female. Will be chkd for chip and signs are being posted. Very unique tail.
Location is off of Hipkins, in Lakewood. I don't have cross street yet. Please pm me if you recognize.

30/11/2024

I had to pick up some pet supplies today. Dropped by the local Petsmart. I was comparing prices of sturdy leashes, collars and harnesses. Then I realized it was the opportune time to share how easy it is to create a custom pet ID tag.
The tag in this video cost $7.00, it took all of 4 minutes to finish.
I put only the phone number on the front and back. If my dog was to go missing and someone was able to entice her to them, she may not get close enough to get hold of her collar. The most important side of a pet ID tag is contact information not the pet's name. I believe the contact information should be facing outward.
There have been a few times where I could get a dog to approach me close enough to read or snap a photo of the ID tag and then zoom in to read. In one case, it allowed me to call the family and tell them where their dog was as I was still working with the scared dog. He had ran 8 miles from a relatives home who was pet sitting. They weren't even looking that far away. It also helped me to offer calming signals techniques advice to the family, so their dog didn't feel threatened when they approached.
Toys, leashes, collars cost more than a durable ID tag. But none of those offer your pet a quick ticket home like a ID tag does.
I don't think a ID tag should replace a microchip. I have chipped pets, yet even my indoor only cats have our contact information printed on their collars. Please give your pet a better chance of a quick reunion. Make it easy and quick for finders to reach you.
https://youtu.be/4I7JGAhPeGY?feature=shared

29/11/2024

I am reposting this. It was first published years ago. I still see there is confusion on the length of time a found animal needs to be held by a finder before rehoming when it is not surrendered to the shelter.
I say this at the end of the repost but state again, that I feel we have a moral obligation to post, put up found signs and do everything possible to reunite. I get challenged on this topic often and truly because my research was done sometime ago, things could have changed. With the full capacity of shelters, policies could change. Each county has different provisions of what finders need to do before rehoming. Because of differences, I strongly encourage people to contact the shelter with jurisdiction and ask the shelter staff directly, what the rehoming provisions are. For animals, county provisions override the RCW Property law.
_______________________________________
Found an animal?
I often see advice given from people on pages regarding a finder’s responsibility to locate the owners of a found animal.
Many say ~ you must “actively” search for the owners for at least 30 days before rehoming or keeping it. But no law I found says "actively". Does that mean going door to door and in what area? Dogs can run for miles. Putting up signs? How many signs do you put up and where? How many social media sites do you have to post on and how often? What if you do not have a computer or are elderly or have physical limitations and can’t get out to post signs or go door to door?
If you find a lost animal, you can contact your local Animal Control and they will come out to get it or you can bring it to the shelter. By surrendering you don’t have to take the steps expected of a finder who chooses to retain the animal at their home.
I did some additional research, this is one of the Washington State laws that I found.
RCW 9.08.070
Pet animals—Taking, concealing, injuring, killing, etc.—Penalty.
(1) Any person who, with intent to deprive or defraud the owner thereof, does any of the following shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW and, for adult offenders, a mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars per pet animal shall be imposed, except as provided by subsection (2) of this section:
(a) Takes, leads away, confines, secretes or converts any pet animal, except in cases in which the value of the pet animal exceeds seven hundred fifty dollars;
(b) Conceals the identity of any pet animal or its owner by obscuring, altering, or removing from the pet animal any collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other identifying device or mark;
(c) Willfully or recklessly kills or injures any pet animal, unless excused by law.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from also being convicted of separate offenses under RCW 9A.56.030, 9A.56.040, or 9A.56.050 for theft, under RCW 9A.56.150, 9A.56.160, or 9A.56.170 for possession of stolen property, or under chapter 16.52 RCW for animal cruelty.
Then I called Animal Control agencies in Pierce, Thurston, King, and Everett, as well as an Animal Rights Attorney. I was surprised by the responses I got.
Pierce County~
You must file a found report with the shelter. You should have the animal scanned for a chip. There is no time frame for owners to reclaim their pet. The legal owner can reclaim it from you at anytime, beyond the 30 days. The only legal way to keep a found pet is by surrendering it to the shelter for the mandatory 72 stray hold and then adopting it.
Thurston County~
You must file a report with the shelter. You should have the animal scanned for a chip and make every effort to locate the owner. “every effort” is not defined.
Thurston County ordinance 9.10.030 - Definitions.
"Owner" means any person who harbors, keeps, possesses or maintains a pet animal, or who encourages a pet animal to remain about their property for a period of fourteen consecutive days or more, or the person named on the license/registration record of any animal as the owner.
King County~
You must file a report with the shelter/animal control. You should post on their website as found. They encourage you have the animal scanned for a chip and to post on social media sites etc. There is no law giving a specific time frame before you can keep a found pet. They recommend that you look for the owner for 30 days.
Everett ~
You must report the found animal to Animal Control, you must put up posters, use social media/newspapers. After 30 days you can assume ownership; however the legal owner can reclaim the dog from you at anytime, beyond the 30 days by going to court. Finders need to contact the animal control for their jurisdiction because the responsibility of finder differs depending on where the pet was found.
*** 3/17/17 *** Additional from Kitsap. I got a voicemail back from them. The message advised me that their policy is that you can consider the found animal yours to keep or rehome after 14 days. But you have to do everything in your power to find the owners. Social media posts, flyers, everything you can to get the word out.
The Attorney advised me that the only way to legally take ownership is to surrender the animal to the shelter that has jurisdiction where the animal was found. If unclaimed, adopt it after the stray hold. Then the animal is yours, that severs the past owner’s right to reclaim.
Did you know that there were these differences depending on where the pet was found?
One thing is very clear, legally you have to report the animal as found to agency that has jurisdiction where it was found. At that time finders should seek advice from them on how to proceed.
Making assumptions that an animal should not be returned based on appearance is not the finders call to make! You do not know if Animal Control has been investigating the owner and trying to build a case of neglect or abuse. If you suspect abuse or neglect you aren’t helping the animal by not getting Animal Control involved. You don’t know the circumstances how the animal became on it’s own. It may be a newly fostered or adopted animal on it’s way to a better life. It may have been lost for a very long time; animals are amazing at surviving on their own!!! It may be stolen and dumped by an angry neighbor or relative.
After completing this research, my opinion didn’t change on what I believe should be done. We have a legal responsibility to report the found pet to Animal Control / Shelter. I also feel we have a moral responsibility that goes beyond this legal obligation to try help the animal get back to it's family.

25/11/2024

Lucy (the name the rescue team gave her) was surrendered to Tacoma Humane Society yesterday. We received no leads from any of the multiple social media posts made about her. Or to the found dog signs posted in the area trapped.
I will add the link to her initial posting in comments. She was a loose dog running on 96th St E, in Puyallup WA.
On 11/14/24 she cooperated and went into a humane trap after avoiding all other attempts of capture.
She was placed with a temporary guardian for the last 10 days.
She is thought to be under 1 year old. She is trained on basic commands. She got along very well with the family's two other dogs, but was a little over eager with the cats. She didn't attack them, but did chase. She pulls a bit on leash, probably do better on a halty or easy walker harness. She enjoyed her walks. She definitely prefers to be an indoor dog. She likes to be near people.
With strangers she will bark, but will greet without aggression. I believe it is because she is shy and uncertain of new people. She is a high energy dog. She would need a secure safe yard and would like to have another dog to play with. She did really well with children, older kids would probably be best because of her size.
She does need additional training as most young dogs do. But she is smart and learns quickly. There was no toy or food aggression.
She would wait patiently for her food dish to be put down after the two family dogs got theirs first.
We never know what the environment dogs like Lucy come from. Lucy will not relieve herself while on a leash. Her guardian has a very secure yard and was let off leash for bathroom breaks. She would do her business and return to the guardian to go back inside the house.
We still hope she will be recognized and her family find her. But I am certain that based on the time with her guardian she will pass shelter tests and be adoptable after her stray hold.
We would love to hand pick her new family to be sure they will be a good match but that isn't possible. Although you may not be able to make her your family member, please share her post. There is someone who would be very lucky to adopt her. Her guardian is very willing to provide truthful information on her behavior and what her training needs are.
Lucy, we want nothing but the best for you. We want you to have a family that will cherish you and keep you safe for the rest of your life.
PLEASE refrain from using the term "Dumped". It doesn't matter how she ended up alone. What matters is that we advocate for her to get into a new home if no one claims her.

24/11/2024

I don't know if you ever considered investing in a GPS unit for your pet. I recommend them and have used them.
If you have a pet nanny or dog walker. Both the owner and the walker can share the application. Owners can see the activity level of the pet and where they are at all times when with a pet nanny or dog walker.

Something that has popularity is the APPLE Airtag. But this unit was never designed for pet tracking. Apple has been upfront in saying it was never intended to be used on pets. Only to locate objects that don't move. Much like the tile is used to locate keys.
There are several reasons why the Airtag is not effective for pets.
The radius is very limited, less than 100ft outdoors.Dogs cross over that radius boundary very quickly and then the unit is basically useless for tracking. Even with cats, several clients used AIRtags on their cats, but the range is so limited even cats cross that radius boundries.

Why does Apple not recommend AirTags for pets?
Apple doesn't recommend using AirTags to track pets because they can be dangerous and may not be effective:

Choking hazard
AirTags are small and lightweight, so dogs can easily chew or swallow them. This can be especially dangerous for smaller breeds or puppies.

Battery exposure
If swallowed, the AirTag's lithium battery can become exposed and cause serious issues. The battery can leak caustic substances that can damage your dog's mouth, stomach, or lead to poisoning.

Skin irritation
The material of the AirTag casing may not be suitable for prolonged contact with a dog's skin.
Accidental activation

AirTags emit a sound when activated, which could startle or distress a dog.

Tracking limitations
AirTags may not be able to find your dog. For example, one user reported that it took several hours to get the first fix on their lost AirTag's location.

Liability
Apple doesn't want to be held liable for any damage that could be caused by people putting an AirTag on their dog's collar.

Designed for objects, not pets

Apple executive Kaiann Drance clarified that AirTags are for tracking objects, not people or pets.

Before purchasing any unit, consider Googling "top five pet GPS units". The Airtag has never been included in the top 10, ever.

24/11/2024

This often happens and people don't know feeding large quantities of food to a found dog and even cat can be deadly if not done correctly.
If we find a lost pet, especially one that is underweight. We give them a ton of food because they appear to be starving.

I wanted to share this information with you, incase you find a lost or loose pet. This was copy and pasted via Google search.

What is refeeding
syndrome in dogs?
A less extreme form of refeeding syndrome results in gastrointestinal problems. The GI tract of a dog who has not been eating much (if anything) for a prolonged period of time simply can't handle the sudden onslaught of a large amount of food. They can develop bloat which is very painful and sometimes fatal.

How to refeed a starving dog?
To refeed a starving dog-
Start slowly: Begin by feeding small amounts of food a few times a day. You can start with about ¼ of their daily recommended dose.
Increase gradually: After a week, you can check in with your vet to see if you can add another meal and increase the calorie intake.
Choose high-quality food: You can use commercial dog food or homemade meals, but make sure it's balanced with the right vitamins and minerals. Focus on food that's high in fat and low in carbs.
Establish a routine: Dogs like routine, so try to feed your dog at the same times each day.
Exercise daily: Ideally, you should exercise your dog twice a day.
Provide fresh water: Make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration.
Be patient: It can take weeks or months for an emaciated dog to regain their weight and strength.
If you overfeed a dog that hasn't been eating much, they may experience digestive issues like diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.

Please consider sharing this post.

22/11/2024

NEVER TRUST.... a newly adopted dog, a foster dog, a dog just captured, or a dog you are a temporary guardian of. NEVER.
I came across this informative post and want to share it here. I think RescueDog101 did a fantastic job of explaining the stages of a new dog's expected behavior.
As humans we expect our new dogs to fall in love with us as quickly as we did with them. However to the dog, you are a stranger and you are taking them to a new place with new smells and this transition is scary for them. They can not understand what is happening.
After capturing a loose or scared dog. They need to time to decompress to feel safe. The first few days they can still be in a fearful stage. I had a trapped loose dog that allowed me to pet her, put a halter on her to take out for bathroom breaks. On the third day, nothing was different. But that dog got outside and started doing a barrel roll. Then she spun around and bit me in the leg. I always double leash dogs, even my husky is used to being doubled leashed at times. I hold one leash in my right hand and the other in my left hand. Because of this standard practice, I was able to pull both ends taut by separating my arms wide apart. It got her under control and she was safe. Over and over I witness dogs taking days or longer to show part of their personalities. They are rested, feed and often I see them trying to figure out a way out. I can't blame them. Transitions aren't easy when you don't know what is going on.
Please if you find a dog or acquire one, don't let them go outside without being leashed / harnessed even in a fenced yard.

Please consider sharing this post~

21/11/2024

A good friend and I were driving down the street. She is very involved in rescue. I consider her an expert in capturing and saving cats. We see a black cat running across the road and into bushes. I yelled "it's got an orange collar! It's an indoor only cat!" She looked at me and asked " what? " She had never heard of the orange collar campaign. So I thought I would share that information with you here, incase you're interested in learning about this. Link is in the comments.
We did pull over and search but could not find the cat. But a few days later when I went there, kitty was sitting at the front door of it's house. (confirmed by neighbor)
I have for years been a very satisfied customer of GOtags. Not only for my pets, but they have supplied all of the ID tags Roaming Paws has given away in previous contests and events. They set the bar high in customer service, quality and turn a round time. Bonus is they are local! Right here in WA State. I put their link in comment section.
Whether you choose to go to a local business or order online, it is so important to have a quick way for finders to easily contact you.
Although collars/ID tags and chips don't stop pets from going missing. They are definitely a way to help your pet be identified and get back to you quickly. Instead of buying them a new toy, give them the gift of a fast ticket home.
This year 96% of the loose dogs I was involved with capturing had no id. No way to get them back home.
2 had tags and I drove them home.
2 had chips, but owners no longer wanted or would respond to repeated attempts to contact them.
Instead of buying your pet a new toy. Give them the gift of increasing their chances of getting back home quickly. It should not be difficult for finders to locate you. Some may not make the effort to search for you.
Adding a photo of my cat's new collars from GOtags.

20/11/2024

I have been working on a series of posts addressing lost pet prevention and recovery tips.
Here in the Pacific Northwest high wind warnings have been ongoing for the last day. Some areas are already feeling it. My lights just started flickering.

Animals go missing regardless of the weather conditions. In bad weather, cats usually hunkered down, take cover. Some breeds of dogs do this as well, under porches, behind thick bushes, under low laying evergreen branches. More athletic dogs will be prone to travel farther to get away from their perceived threat.
I wanted to repost these quick steps to take if your pet goes missing. I hope you never have to use them. I just know having an action plan in place, just in case, will help you take effective recovery steps immediately.
Take a picture now of your pet with a solid contrasting color wall behind them. Imagine how your pet would appear to someone seeing them in their yard or street. Save that picture to your phone. It is by image recognition that leads to quick recoveries. would love to have you share your pictures in comments!

Be safe. Use leashes even if you have a fully fenced yard.
Please consider sharing these tips.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15Z4e6ZNGL/

16/11/2024

Do you recognize? This dog was seen by several running on 96th St E, Puyallup, WA 98372. Close to Cascade Christian School. She was scared and avoided any human interaction. She finally was seen on the property of Sumner Sportsman Club. Food and water were placed out for her. She was caught on camera at that feeding station Thursday afternoon. By evening, permission was given to set up a humane trap.
Her rescue team saw her as the trap was being set. She turned and trotted the opposite direction when she realized that she was seen. Not too long after that, she cooperated and chose the safety of the trap. I went out and scanned her, no chip was detected. She is safe, secure and being cared for by a temporary foster.
Once caught she settled down quickly. Tail wagging and allowing her recovery team to pet her. She is trained on basic commands.
She needs to get back to her family. We don't know if she is from the area, the city, the county or state. Please help her get back home by sharing this post. To her recovery team members......BRAVO!

××ABSOLUTE PROOF of ownership is required××

Please share this post, thank you.

15/11/2024

Tacoma Humane Society is waiving all adoption fees until 11/17. I know a lovely lady that would like to have a Meet & Greet. I promise you will fall in love. Freya deserves to be a family member. Please share her post.

Our shelter is beyond full. There are nearly 130 dogs in our care, with only 89 kennels available, plus 70 in foster homes.

🐾 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭: From November 14-17, we are waiving adoption fees for all dogs. You can even foster-to-adopt a dog awaiting spay/neuter surgery.

🐾 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫: We're in desperate need of foster families, especially for large-breed dogs. Every temporary home makes a world of difference. Learn more about fostering by contacting the shelter.

Fosters help to care for shelter pets that need it the most! Fosters are needed for pets that are not doing well in the shelter environment, are recovering from surgery, or need additional care.

07/11/2024

Seattle, Pepe is missing. He was last physically seen at home near NE 94th St and 17th Ave NE on Monday 10/21/24. He was seen on trail cam on 10/29/24 in a yard on 17th Ave NE. Only a few houses from home. He is 2 years old, 10 lbs, no collar but is chipped. Through physical searching has been done, including a drone and search dogs. But no other leads have been received. Social media is being used, posters and flyers are up. We just need to increase community awareness that he is missing. Even being an outdoor cat, the majority of neighbors say they have never seen him. He is an expert at staying out of sight, that behavior is only amplified when scared and lost. Although recovery advice is not needed, we do need an army of eyes looking for him. So please share this post. Thank you.

07/11/2024

You may recall reading the post made on 10/24/24 about Scooby. (the name Jazmin gave him) He is a beautiful big Mastiff (mix?) that showed up on the loose in Puyallup.
Although attempts were made by concerned community members, he would not allow them close. He would bark at them, wanting them to keep their distance.
I learned he was staying around in Jazmin's yard. We got in contact to discuss him and the possibility of setting a trap on her property.
Although she was at an appointment, I headed over to her house to get a better perspective / understanding of the area and plan trap placement. I drove down the private road, looking for the address and right before Jazmin's house, there he was just sleeping on the grass to the left of the road. His head popped up when he heard my car. As I rolled by him I didn't acknowledge him. I just tossed chicken out the window. He got up and followed the short trail. I had already parked, opened the door and tossed more treats. I was going to try calming signals. The more I ignored him, the closer he came. I just sat there increasing the food value to entice him to me.
I was not planning on attempting a leash capture. Actually, I had some physical restrictions and could not risk him trying to bolt when the slip lead was put on. A neighbor pulled up, asked if he was my dog. I explained I volunteered to help in the capture. I told her I knew I could get the lead on him, but couldn't hold him. She said I can help. I am strong, I will hold the leash!!
I grabbed two leads, gave her the wrist hold of one of them. I held the loop open and with treats he just stuck his head right in. She pulled the leash taunt and I put the second slip lead on. Scooby was like totally chill. No resisting at all. In fact, with full belly he laid down next to my car and slept. He allowed a chip scan but none was detected.
When Jazmin and her husband got home they graciously took Scooby in. Giving him padding and blankets to rest on. Pierce County Animal Control was called. Because I was not physically able to load him in my car, I couldn't transport. Since he was now contained an Animal Control Officer was dispatched and Scooby was transferred to the shelter.
Another example of how community volunteers and AC can work together to save a life.
Both Jazmin and I have been checking on him. If his owner didn't claim him, we were both ready to be advocates to find him a new family. His stray hold was up just this last Monday......and you guys he ALREADY had an application for adoption waiting. He has been neutered and will be moving to his forever home very soon!
I LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS.
With each recovery like this, I gain such appreciation of how perfect strangers come together with the same goal. Each of us played a role in changing this dog's life.
If by chance his adopters read this, I would love for you to contact me. I will respect your privacy but would truly like to express my graditude. Jazmin and I both cried when we got the update today.
"Scooby" we wish you the best damn life a dog could ever want.