Lost cat reunited with owners after incredible 900-mile journey from Yellowstone to California

Rayne Beau, whose name is pronounced “rainbow,” disappeared during a camping trip in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Owners Benny and Susanne Anguiano were devastated when their cat ran off shortly after they arrived at the park’s Fishing Bridge RV site on June 4. Despite searching for four days, laying out his favourite toys and treats, Rayne Beau remained missing.

Heartbroken but hopeful, the Anguianos had to leave Yellowstone on June 8 and return to their home in Salinas, California. Susanne recalled a moment of comfort on the drive back: “We were entering the Nevada desert and all of a sudden I see a double rainbow. And I took a picture of it and I thought, that’s a sign. That’s a sign for our rainbow that he’s going to be okay.”

Two months later, in August, the Anguianos received incredible news. A microchip company alerted them that Rayne Beau had been found nearly 900 miles away in Roseville, California. He was only about 200 miles from home.

A kind woman in Roseville had spotted Rayne Beau wandering the streets, feeding and watering him until she was able to bring him to the local SPCA on August 3. When the Anguianos picked him up the next day, they found that Rayne Beau had lost six pounds and was in poor health after his journey.

“I believe truly that he made that trek mostly on his own. His paws were really beat up. Lost 40% of his body weight, had really low protein levels because of inadequate nutrition. So he was not cared for,” said Susanne.

Though the couple doesn’t know exactly how Rayne Beau made it to Roseville, they believe he was trying to find his way back home. They’ve since shared their story with the media, hoping someone can help piece together more details.

To prevent a similar scare, the Anguianos have now outfitted their cats with both microchips and GPS trackers. While the cats love travelling in the family camper van and watching wildlife through the windows, Benny admits they’re not eager to hit the road again just yet. “It was a very ugly feeling after we lost him,” he said. “We’ll have to practise camping at home and camp in the driveway to get him used to it.”