Roaming Paws Lost Pet Services

18/11/2023

We are at Nelson Elementary in Graham selling our goods to make money to help finance costs to help loose dogs with no owner known. Come on by Nothing over $15. Christmas is just around the corner and everyone likes home gifts!!

14/11/2023

Stop by and say Hi~
If you find yourself with some extra time on Saturday. Roaming Paws Lost Pet Services will have a vendor booth at the Event: Nelson Elementary PTA Holiday Bazaar (2023)
Date/Time: Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 10am-4pm
Address: Nelson Elementary, 22109 108th Ave E, Graham, WA 98338
95% of my handmade merchandise is $15.00 or less.
I will be selling decorated wood bird houses, embellished 5 x 7 wood frames, decorated wood sleds ( 8x5 apprx) Rita May in costume blank cards, beaded spiral suncatchers, auto dangles, memory beaded suncatchers. A few leaf impression stepping stones and a variety of organic veggie baked dog treats.
It is also an opportunity to give attendees hand outs and discuss lost pet prevention tips. I have been able to meet some of Roaming Paws Lost Pet Services FB followers face to face at past events and that is always a treat for me.
Proceeds will be put in the save a stray fund. Hoping to purchase a new gentle/snappy snare.
Next to us will be Kindred Animal Connections They have supported me and allowed me to sell some of my merchandize at their events these past few years. Really good people, so please be sure to give their booth a look through.

10/11/2023

Cross country celebration. Oliver missing since 10-16-23 in Valaparis, Indiana is back home! ~ He showed up at their house early in the morning. His family had done so much. Searching every day, Getting out the word via flyers, posting on alI the local lost /found page and other social media sites. Reaching out to professionals for assistance. I requested more details and will update when recd. Welcome home Oliver, you were so missed.

08/11/2023

FOUND AND BACK HOME ON 11-9-23

Missing in Valparaise, Indiana
Oliver was last seen at his home near Zane Ct and County RD 50 W.
He is indoor only but believed to have slipped out when the dogs were let out on Monday 10/16/23 at 9 pm. His family realized he was not in their home at 11 pm. They started searching right then, but haven't recovered him yet. He is 1 1/2 years old, 9 lbs., was not wearing a collar, not chipped, he is neutered. He will not allow a stranger to approach him. His family has done so much right to locate and recover him. Sadly, this lead them into one of the Instagram scams. Their lowest time in life turned into threats that Oliver would be killed, that there would be someone coming over and killing them if they didn't pay money. I can't tell you how this has negatively affected Oliver's family from continuing their search. But they are. We had a phone consultation to create a plan moving forward. Expanding the physical search area, placement of feeding stations, traps etc.
There was a possible sighting on Gainesway Circle RD. We are hopeful that property owners will allow a feeding station with a camera / possible trap be placed there. Advice is not needed, but if you know of anyone in that area please ask they share this post.

26/10/2023

Spanaway~
Tiger has been missing since Thursday 10/19/23 midday. He was last seen near 205th ST E and 5th AVE CT E. He is an indoor / outdoor cat, 13 months old, about 12lbs, wears a yellow collar with pineapple prints collar and bell, neutered, not chipped.
Tiger's bell was heard by his mom at about 10 pm. She went out to get him but then heard him cry much like you would during a cat fight. He has not been seen since. There is a bully cat that has been showing up. Tiger and that cat just recently got into a fight, Tiger did get injured. The bully cat has been seen in Tiger's territory now with regularity since Tiger disappeared.
He is a hunter has brought home his prey, dead and alive. He isn't one to consume them. Tiger isn't all that social with humans, he will be stand offish and observe, or seek shelter for hiding. The owner has already done so much of the social media posts and notifying immediate neighbors. During the phone consultation we created a plan of action in search and recovery moving forward for Tiger. So advise is not needed, but please share this post to help this family in a reunion. Thank you.

20/10/2023

Trapping tips, how, when and where.
I thought it may be helpful to share my thoughts on trapping. I am attaching links to YOUtube videos, as well as short reads. Hopefully I don't confuse you. This is not a post to spark a debate, this is meant to be one of education that may help a family recover their lost pet. I belong to several trapper networks and new trapping options are coming out that can be used for trap leary pets. I think all of us trappers have their own preferences or use their "secret recipe". Really there isn't any one type of bait or trap style that should be used. Roaming Paws has several type of traps available. The large kennel or missy trap has needed to be used only a couple times in all the years I have had it. Once I was convinced the humane trap would not work. The humane trap has been my choice, quick and easy. Setting up a humane trap really is very easy. So easy even my 7 year old nephew could do.
I don't recommend setting out a trap in hopes that the animal will go in. You risk trapping someone else's pet or wildlife unnecessarily. I see the suggestion frequently "set out a trap" with no knowledge if there are a number of other free roaming cats that you will trap. Or the area where a trap should be set. More often it is locating the animal and setting the trap where they are rather than setting out a trap and expecting the animal to come to it.
What is most important is the knowledge of when, where and how.
I always try to do a ~ Do you recognize" post on social media. Make posters in the area "have you seen" to gain leads from the community. The goal for me is to determine if a trap is even needed, a lot of times a neighbor or owner recognizes the animal. If there is no response, I start by studing the movements of the animal. Are they on a loop and seen in the same place? After I determine the area where it will be most success with a capture. Find a a safe pace to set a feeding station and where to safely place a trap. With dogs with no owner known, I will always try to notify the local animal control agencies to notify them and be sure I am not interfering in ay efforts they are making. It has really worked well to partner up and work together with them.
With dogs, I will most often start with calming signals and lead or gentle snare. This is the least stressful for the dog. In comments below shows Shaw a loose dog with no owner known being coaxed into a slip lead after trapping. But this is what I will do when using calming signals.
Second establish a feeding station(s) by leaving food and monitor with a cellular or live feed camera until the target animal is seen eating there.
Before you set any type of trap, you need to check laws & ordinances, get permission from the property owners. You can tether the door of the trap open and set it up as a feeding station. That conditions the animal to enter & exit freely. Once the animal is comfortable and goes completely in, the trap needs to be fully armed for capture. Traps need to be monitored regularly. The cellular motion activated cameras are so affordable now. They provide you with live feed to help monitor and record the activity as it happens.
Depending on the circumstances, if the animal is seen more than once at a location or feeding station, I will get a humane trap placed quickly. I tether the door open and place the food inside the trap. Do scent broadcasting with broth, liquid smoke. Chum top of foliage near feeding station or up high on tree branches/trunk, top of fences and monitor.
In some circumstances I have been able to set a trap and within minutes the animal chooses to go in. Video link below of a loose dog running a loop for over a week. I saw it and got trap out in it's path of travel. Another community member started walking towards it about a block away. It turned around and walked right in that trap. Some dogs have walked into the trap while following the trail of food I was leaving. I had one little love who was running and unable to capture. I brought a trap out placed it infront of the dog. It came up and tried to squeeze by me to get to the food I was placing inside. Others take weeks to finally decide to go in. Literally, cats will sleep on top of traps and dogs sleep next to traps for days!
I recommend the bait be freshen every am and pm. In the colder months you should use oil based like tuna. Heat up the broth / liquid smoke for scent broadcasting. You can use hand and feet warmers to keep food from freezing. Using two bowls where one fits snuggly inside the other, place the hand warmers in between. In summer and heavy insect activity, use 2 bowls fill the larger one with water and place the smaller one inside. You create a insect moat.
Once the animal is captured and secure, DO NOT open the trap until you are in a confined location. Cover the trap with a blanket when transporting to help calm them. Once home in garage or inside, give the animal time to destress. We have no idea what they encountered while on their own. Don't expect them to be the loving pet they were when last seen. Give them time. I recommend double leashing dog's initially.
Note on feeding ~ vets recommend that you don't allow free eating. Give small portions frequently is recommended for the first 48 to 72 hours. I like to start with the standard rice, veggie, chicken meal.
I strongly recommend you start introducing your pet to a kennel. We don't know if we will need to evacuate our homes due to fire, earth quake, floods. The kennel should be a place of comfort, providing our pets a sense of security. It will also help in trapping efforts if they ever need it. I have trained all my pets to go into a trap without fear and allow a gentle lead to go over their head. I want them to be easy to capture should they get out.
I know this post is lengthy and appreciate your time to get through it. I hope it offers you some help if you are ever faced with the need to securely capture a lost pet or animal with no owner known. I am providing links separately in the comments below.

16/10/2023

Auburn~
Astro went missing on Thursday 10/12/23 from his home near 210th Ave SE and SE 335th St. He is primarily indoor, 3 yrs old, 10 lbs,, not chipped, was not wearing a collar or id tag. He is a curious and bold cat. He was found before inside a shed. He is skittish at times but pretty bold. He has literally gone up to dogs and started attacking them, has gotten defensive with his owner. He normally is vocal His family has already done so much in the recovery efforts using social media and physical searching. They will be setting up a camera at feeding stations and hope we see him at one of them soon. Neon posters are being made and put up. Recovery advice is not needed, we ask that you just consider sharing his posts. Thank you.

03/10/2023

UPDATE 10/6/23 PM *****BENTLEY IS HOME****** Her mom thinks she may have been unintentionally locked into a shed, garage, etc based on her condition.

Please be on the lookout for Bentley. She was last seen Friday 9/29/23 at home 22nd St SW and 8th Ave SW, in Puyallup. She is wearing a collar, chipped, about 4 years old, 6 lbs, indoor/outdoor and spayed. She is unlikely to let anyone approach to pick her up or pet her. (Bentley is one of my pet nanny clients, PLEASE HELP ME FIND HER.) Recovery advice is not needed, just share and share this post. Thank you~

27/09/2023

Please beware!!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=325333640020798&id=100076324937576&mibextid=Nif5oz

Once Again The Instagram Scammer is back. They have reactivated their account. The Account says Missing_Animal_Response477. THIS IS NOT A LEGIT MARN Instagram Account! Do Not Give this account money. MARN Will never ask for money to help recover lost pets directly. MARN is an educational organization that trains people & search dogs to find missing pets.

18/09/2023

Sofie missing in Renton since 8/13/23 is back home!
With very minimal reported sightings is back home. Her family was determined to find her and succeeded.
There were traps set up. With door tethered open to act as a feeding station and camera on. Using a trap as a feeding station reduces the lost pet's fear of entering and exiting. It also prevents other pets/wildlife from getting trapped unnecessarily. They caught her on camera and armed the trap.
The trap/ feeding station was left right where she would have landed after falling out the 3rd story apt window.
Here is the information I received:

We got her!!!! We caught Sofie. I really owe it to you. Thank you so much.

29/08/2023

There has been discussion with my MAR colleagues on the effectiveness of setting up a comfort station i.e. blankets, toys, even used litter for cats, food at the escape point. People swear this is what brought their lost pet home. I think we all see this advice on every lost and found page. I do suggest that for cats, because they usually stay close to home.
But dogs travel far and fast. I don't recommend that for dogs.
It is more about locating the lost animal and setting a feeding station with camera to monitor there. Once seen eating, setting a trap immediately is usually the advice I give. I decided to do a quick review the cases I handled or was part of the recovery effort.
I decided to do a quick review the cases I was part of this year and thought it may be helpful and interesting if I shared the information here.

January -
3 cat cases, all are still missing. 0% reunited

February
1 cat, still missing. 0% reunited.

March
2 cat cases. 1 still missing and 1 returned home. 50% reunited.

April
2 loose dog no owners known, in both cases feeding stations were set. Once the dogs were seen at that location, traps were set and both were safely trapped.
1 lost dog still active and has been seen at feeding station. She has not entered the humane or missy trap. This dog has been out for over 2 years now, living and surviving in a wooded area.
65% brought to safety.

May
0 out of 0 cases

June
1 loose dog trapped. No owner claimed her.
2 lost cats still missing.
35% out of 3 cases

July
1 loose dog trapped
1 lost cat reunited due to posters
1 lost cat came back. Owners feel he came back because of chumming or scent broadcast.
2 cats are still missing.
60% out of 5 cases were brought to safety

August
1 dog recovered by calming signals.
1 cat came home on it's own.
1 cat safely trapped after finder recognized from flyers.
1 dog found locked inside an office bldg. over the weekend.

1 cat still missing
75% out of 5 cases were brought to safety.

Almost every inquiry asked if I could bring out my dog to search, she didn't do any searches in 2023. Many chose not to have even move forward with a lost pet consultation. Yet in my experience, more lost pets were reunited with no search dog being used only using knowledge gained thru the phone consultation and ongoing advice offered.
It is important to share that each case is unique. No two cases are the same. Breed, temperament and terrain is different. What works for one doesn't apply to all the others. It is from the experience gained from doing this work for over a decade that I draw from. It is up to the families to follow the advice given. Some choose to accept that their pet will never be found and end the search. Some can't follow the advice because of their current responsibilities. Some don't respond to my follow up requests. I still consider their pets as missing.
Others in this line of work will give you numbers, or success percentages but will not give you any way to verify it. I try to be very transparent on cases I was involved in and the outcome. That is why I choose to be upfront and share the cases with you on this page. Before hiring Roaming Paws Lost Pet Services as with any other lost pet professional you should be able to verify what their success rate truly is.
As I said earlier, none of these owners felt a comfort or feeding station set at home was the reason for their reunions.



January -
3 cat cases, all are still missing. 0% reunited

February
1 cat, still missing. 0% reunited.

March
2 cat cases. 1 still missing and 1 returned home. 50% reunited.

April
2 loose dog no owners known, in both cases feeding stations were set. Once the dogs were seen at that location, traps were set and both were safely trapped.
1 lost dog still active and has been seen at feeding station. She has not entered the humane or missy trap. This dog has been out for over 2 years now, living and surviving in a wooded area.
65% brought to safety.

May
0 out of 0 cases

June
1 loose dog trapped. No owner claimed her.
2 lost cats still missing.
35% out of 3 cases

July
1 loose dog trapped
1 lost cat reunited due to posters
1 lost cat came back. Owners feel he came back because of chumming or scent broadcast.
2 cats are still missing.
60% out of 5 cases were brought to safety

August
1 dog recovered by calming signals.
1 cat came home on it's own.
1 cat safely trapped after finder recognized from flyers.
1 dog found locked inside an office bldg. over the weekend.
1 cat still missing
75% out of 5 cases were brought to safety.

28/08/2023

Oh What a Beautiful Morning ~ Oh What a Beautiful Day ~ Sonnie missing since Thursday in Lakewood, is waking up home today. He was found about a mile away hiding in a yard behind a fence. He was too afraid to come out initially. Mom used calming signals and he started crying and came to her.

25/08/2023

Reunited on 8-26-23

Lakewood, WA
Please be on the lookout for Sonnie. He was last seen on Thursday 8/24/23 when he bolted out an open door from home near Bridgeport Way SW and Custer RD W. He is an intact pug, was wearing a gray and white collar with a device attached to it, chipped, 2 yrs, 12 lbs
There was a couple of sighting inside the apartment complex soon after escape at the apartment complex kids playground. He loves children. Mom has done social media,
Sonnie is usually friendly when with mom. But being on his own will most likely be skittish. Barking if approached, running away from people. We had a phone consultation and have a plan of action established. He is food motivated so if seen please offer food, but don't approach. No recovery advice is needed, Please share this post to help reunite this family. Thank you~

18/08/2023

Well, it has just been a weird day but a very good one. Especially for Guiness aka Frijolito lost in Seatac. About an hour into the lost pet phone consultation with his mom, his dad arrived home. Low and behold there was Frijolito waiting to be let in the door. He is home,
He is appears like he has been outside this whole time and is wet. So although we will never know what happened, it may be that he was in hiding and was disturbed by a sprinkler that was turned on. I am just so happy for this outcome. So we can skip the please share post and just say Welcome home Frijolito. I have recommended a GPS unit for him as well.

16/08/2023

UPDATE BACK HOME ON 9/16/23

Renton,
Sofie went missing on Sunday 8/13/23. She fell out of a 3rd floor window and was last seen running into the bushes that edge the apartment complex near 174th St and SE Carr road at the
Summerhill Apartments. Her parents ran down to try recover her and she ran from them. She is 4 years old, 9 lbs, indoor only spayed, chipped, was not wearing a collar. During the lost pet phone consultation we discussed a recovery plan of action / search efforts. Her parents have already done a good job on social media and in the boots on the ground searching. But will be using posters and expanding the radius. Sofie will normally shy away from strangers even at home, so please do not approach if seen. We don't need recovery advice, just ask that you share her post. Thank you.

02/08/2023

Jameson missing since Monday 7/10/2023 in Lacey, is back home!
He finally decided to stop in for breakfast, which was left for him, inside the trap.
Just a couple of days after he went missing, his family contacted Roaming Paws. We scheduled a lost pet phone consultation. They had already done so much.
They just kept moving forward in his recovery efforts with the knowledge of lost cat's expected behaviors, using the tips and advice given during the phone consultation and follow up emails.
About a week ago a positive sighting happened. It was because of their door to door distribution of flyers that they got the call. The property owner saw him in their yard. His dad went out and actually saw him. He knew exactly how to respond and got traps placed out there.
Jameson entered the trap completely a couple of times this past week and was smart enough to reach across the trip plate. He would not step on the trip plate. His owner then placed some wood slats on the trip plate, hoping that would help activate it.
For some reason Jameson decided that the bait in the trap was no longer worth going in. These last few days he would show up, but not go in.
His family and I spoke last night. We agreed to change the bait, up the food value in the trap. I have colleagues in the Missing Animal Response Network that have used KFC chicken. I encouraged his parents to try some and smoosh ( technical term, haha) it into the bottom wires of the trap in the bait area. That way Jameson had to work at getting the food and would need to put weight on the trip plate. Remove all edible treats leading into the trap. Instead use chicken broth leading into the trap. Also using cat nip and calming spray or calming collar inside the trap.
It worked perfectly. Jameson showed up shortly after the trap was rebaited with the chicken. He was very interested in the chicken. Cameras caught him at around 10 pm last night going around the trap. Then at 4:50 this morning, he couldn't resist any longer. He was successfully trapped.
He has lost weight, had a minor injury to his paw. But overall looks well and seems very happy to be back home with his loving family. So are we!

31/07/2023

What a great way to start the day!
Belle lost in Kent/East Hill is back at home!
She had some thorns lodged in her fur, but otherwise just fine and wanting belly rubs! She was discovered locked in an office building. We believe she entered without being noticed on Friday and discovered by workers this morning. Welcome home Belle, your mom was very worried.

30/07/2023

UPDATE 7/31/23 REUNITED

Kent/ East Hill

Belle is missing since Wednesday 7/27/23. She is 12 years old, 12 lbs, chipped, when last seen wearing a brown leather collar with a pink bone shaped ID tag and a black and red checkered vest harness. She was being watch by a family member and slipped out their door.
She is very skittish. The last positive sighting was near 104th Ave SE and 140th SE. Unfortunately she was chased by three people hoping to catch her. A potential sighting reported on 7/28/23 of her entering a green belt south of the McDonald's on SE 204th ST and 108th Ave SE.
Belle's mom has already put up posters, listed on social media sites, handed out fliers. During the phone consultation we discussed expanding the radius of posters, tagging rear windows of vehicles, as well as an intersection alert. She should not be approached, we just need sightings or leads.
Please no recovery advice is needed. We do need help getting the word out, so please share this post. Thank you.

27/07/2023

Update Friday 7/28/23 4:30 pm Now waiting for his family at Tacoma Humane Society.

Do you recognize?
This little one crossed the road in front of me on S. 52 st and Portland. As I was doing a U turn, Mackenzie a good Samaritan, blocked the road and the dog approached her. I scanned there was no chip detected. I am taking the dog with me for a temporary stay. It will be brought to THS asap
Please share this post. Found dog posters were made and put up.
Proof of ownership required.
All found animal protocol will be followed so please don't comment with advice just if you recognize~
Thank you Mackenzie!

27/07/2023

Sign, sign
Everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery
Breakin' my mind

**I think Fankie's story is going to be one of my favorites. I have been chuckling most of the day just picturing this capture happen**

Frankie missing since 7/19/23 was found on 7/25/23 and is back home!
Here is the information I received from the PM and phone call from his mom ~

The neighbor down the street saw the sign at the end of their street and the cat that was stuck in their chimney was Frankie…
Stuck since Saturday, at least that is when they found where the meows were coming from.
Thank you for your help with the signs! If it wasn’t for you, he wouldn’t have been found.
Thank you!!!
Now to go take down the signs!
********************************************************************************************************
Yup that's right.
Frankie had crossed over the road (152nd and 104th in Puyallup) and went just a couple houses in. Somehow and for some unknown reason ended up in their fireplace. I am trying to figure out if he decided to try get in the house by going down the chimney. Or if he got in the house somehow and was trying to hide or get back out and jumped up into the chimney.
The family tried to find help since Saturday when they heard the meows. By leaving cat food at base, calling the police & animal control. They even went and bought a net to try to capture the cat. The flue of the fireplace was open and that created a perfect shelf for him. He was just out of their reach. Then they saw his neon Lost Cat poster.
Frankie's family got the call around 6:48 pm. Using a flashlite identified him by the reflective collar. Mom literally climbed in and was able to touch him. He ate the food she held to him, but couldn't convince him to come close enough and the open flue created a barrier. So his dad who is taller, ended up climbing in. He was able to pick him up and get him down.
The neon signs were placed around 11 am and Frankie was home around 7 pm the same day. Never underestimate the power these posters have.

25/07/2023

REUNITED 7/25/23 because of posters

Puyallup / South Hill~
Frankie was last seen at home near 105th ave E and 152nd street E on Wednesday 7/19/23.
He is 1 year old, 4 lbs, indoor/outdoor cat, neutered, not chipped yet but wearing a purple reflective collar. He is overly friendly and social with other humans. He may have already befriended a neighbor. His family has already been searching, social media posts made, vet notifications, neon posters are going up.
We don't need recovery advice but would appreciate you sharing this post to help Frankie back home. Thank you ~

23/07/2023

Tacoma~ Roxie went missing on Tuesday 7/11/23 in the morning near E 82nd ST and E D Str. She is about 15 lbs, chipped, spayed, was not wearing a collar. She is friendly. At home she will approach strangers. She was found as a feral cat, but the thought is she was owned prior to that based on her personality. This is an area with 3 known cat feeders. It has many free roaming cats and she could be accessing the food left for them. We are trying to gain permission to set up cameras from these known feeders. The family has seen a bully cat in their yard. Roxie & the bully had a spat just the day before she went missing. Since that time the bullly cat actually jumped through the open window they left open for Roxie and went after their other cat inside.
We don't need recovery advice but ask you do share this post and watch for postings of found cats that may be her. During the phone consultation we discussed and have a plan of action established including; Social media, searching and recovery techniques, poster placement etc. Please help her get back to her family~ Thank you.

22/07/2023

Carnation ~ THE WATCH IS OVER. Missing since 7/19/23 Ernie was back home in less than 24 hours after the phone consultation. His family tried the chumming method I suggested. It was too temping for him. He showed up in less than 3 hours. Welcome back home Ernie! Here is the email I received this morning

Hi Bonnie,

I am writing to let you know that Ernie is back home. I spread wet cat food on high points in the trees around our yard and within hours he trotted home looking completely normal and unscathed. He was very hungry and thirsty but seems totally himself.

We ordered him a GPS collar and it should be here tomorrow. Hopefully this will help in the future when he doesn't come home. Thank you so much for all of your help!

21/07/2023

Carnation~
Ernie was last seen by family on Wed 7/19/23 am near NE 12th St and 293rd Ave NE in Carnation. He is about 8 yrs old, 15lbs, neutered, chipped, wearing a black collar with skulls and ID tag. He is indoor / outdoor. High skilled in hunting and does consume his killings. He is not social, yet makes appearances and is well known by neighbors. During the consultation we discussed a plan moving forward to include social media post, physical search / door to door notification, feeding station and poster placement.
Yesterday morning there was a reported sighting of him about 5 properties away on 291st Ave NE near 10th Ave NE.
His family is not on Facebook, so we are asking you to share this post and look for sightings posts matching him. No recovery advise is needed, just your shares to help bring this family back together.
Thank you.