06/23/2026
Today we received a message that every rescue fears. Dash, who had been adopted by a wonderfully sweet and caring couple on Saturday at our last adoption event, contacted us to let us know that Dash had slipped out the night before and was missing. They researched and did everything in their power to find him before reaching out.
By pure coincidence, we were only a few minutes away when we got the notification that he was missing, so we immediately headed over to help search, ready to do everything we could to find him. Dash has been in our care since he was a kitten, making this especially difficult to hear.
We searched under the house, checked crawl spaces, looked through thick brush, spoke with neighbors, and searched across a large rural property. We were preparing to call it a night and prepared to set up four humane traps around the property, when we decided to make one last sweep of the area.
That final search made all the difference.
Prunedale can be an especially dangerous place for a lost cat. Between the wildlife, large rural properties, dense vegetation, and close proximity to Highway 101, the risks increase significantly once a cat gets outside.
This experience is an important reminder to thoroughly cat proof your home before and after bringing home a new cat.
Make sure all windows have secure screens, doors and exits are properly secured, and everyone in the household understands the importance of being cautious when entering and leaving the home. Newly adopted cats should be given time to adjust in a smaller, secure space before being allowed full access to the house.
Cats do not understand that they have been given a better home. They only know what feels familiar. A newly adopted cat, especially an older cat, may do everything in their power to return to the environment they recognize, even when they are safe, loved, and well cared for.
We are incredibly grateful that Dash’s story had a happy ending. Thank you to everyone who helped search and thank you to his adopters for contacting us immediately. If you’ve adopted a cat from our rescue PLEASE reach out ASAP. We are busy but our kitties will always take priority.
