CA: COUPLE DESPERATE TO FIND DOG MISSING 1 MONTH
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MONTEREY, California (KSBW) — A Bay Area couple is seeking the community’s help to find their 3-year-old mini Australian shepherd, Luca, who went missing more than a month ago near Laguna Seca Golf Course while in the care of a pet sitter.
“The first 24 hours felt brutal,” said Megan Kao, one of Luca’s owners.
The couple had brought Luca along for a day trip to the Central Coast and left him with a pet sitter while they explored.
Minutes later, they received a call saying Luca had run away.
“We’re like, what? And we came back. And within five minutes, he’s totally gone. And he said he ran up the hill and just disappeared,” Kao added.
Luca was last seen on June 26, and his owners have stayed in the area ever since, determined to find him.
“For the first week I slept on the golf course. So I mean, we’ve been here bookending it motels. There’s been just the generosity from the community in this area has been incredible. Giving us places to stay or just, like, sleeping in the car overnight. Like, whatever we can do to be here in case someone sees something or responds,” said Michael Zuccarino, Luca’s other owner.
The couple has tried various methods to locate Luca, including posting on Nextdoor, where their story caught the attention of strangers who decided to help.
“He’s a big part of their life. Like if you have a dog, you know what that feels like? You. You have to find them. He’s still out there. I know he is,” said Alicia Simpson, one community member.
Another local, Rob Scott, who frequently helps find lost pets, said, “In this community, I do a lot of work with trying to find cats and dogs that get lost and do it all the time, every day. And, that story came across, and I felt so badly about the dog being gone.”
The owners are asking anyone who thinks they see Luca not to chase or call his name, as he is likely frightened.
“First thing you should do is pull your phone and snap a picture or video so the owner can know if it’s theirs or not. And then go find a place to report it,” said Zuccarino.
Sightings can be reported through their Nextdoor page or the SPCA.
More than a month after Luca’s disappearance, the couple remains hopeful.
“We’re asking everyone, please keep your eyes peeled,” Kao said.
The owners are offering a reward for Luca’s return.
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