The Brave Cat Who Traveled A Staggering Distance To Be Reunited With Its Owner

Who doesn't love a pet story with a happy ending? The ones with some mystery are even better, like the one about a cat named Rayne Beau (pronounced "rainbow") that took an unexpected trip across three states. According to the Associated Press, Benny and Susanne Anguiano went RV-ing with their two cats from California to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, but things didn't quite turn out as planned. Rayne Beau ended up hiking alone after he got spooked and ran away from the RV. Two months later, he was miraculously found about 900 miles from where he went missing.

The Anguianos had planned on being at Yellowstone's Fishing Bridge RV Park for only a few days before driving back home to California. With their cat still missing, they spent a large portion of their trip searching for him in the forest where they last saw him. They also attempted to lure him back to their RV with cat toys and treats, but to no avail. Yellowstone National Park encompasses more than 3,400 square miles, and with so many places to hide and predators nearby, finding a dark-gray cat alive and well proved impossible.

At the end of their trip, there was still no sign of Rayne Beau, so they had to make the difficult and painful decision to leave without him. Two months later, the couple received an unexpected notification about their lost cat that left them elated.

You've likely heard stories about cats that go missing from home and are found just a few miles away a few weeks later, but that wasn't the case with Rayne Beau. He went MIA several states away from home, where nothing looked or smelled familiar. Susanne Anguiano still remained hopeful despite the odds. Meanwhile, a woman noticed Rayne Beau roaming the streets in northern California, about 200 miles from his Salinas home. She took him to the SPCA in Roseville to get him scanned for a microchip. Luckily, he had one.

Shortly after, the Anguinaos received an alert from the pet-tracking service, Pet Watch, that he had been found. They drove to get him the next day. How the brave feline managed to travel 900 miles in two months is unclear, but they believe he walked most of it, based on his condition. "His paws were really beat up," Susanne told the Associated Press. "Lost 40% of his body weight, had really low protein levels because of inadequate nutrition." They believe he was trying to get home.

Rayne Beau made a full recovery from his unexpected adventure and now wears an air tag and a GPS global tracker. However, despite these additions, the Anguianos have decided not to include their cats in their road trips for the time being.

As soon as you bring a new cat into your home, it's important to take some steps to prepare for a possible accidental separation. For one, get your cat microchipped, and don't forget to register it. Many owners hear about the importance of microchipping a pet as part of their holiday prep, but there's no better time than now. The procedure is fast and painless. "Does my cat need a collar?" If you've ever asked yourself this, the answer is yes. Purchase a breakaway collar with your contact information on it, or add an Apple AirTag to it, and have your cat wear it 24/7 — or at least when you travel together.

If your feline friend ever goes missing, whether it's during a trip like the Anguianos' or from your home, a microchip and ID collar can increase the chances of a happy reunion. Boost the odds even more by posting about your lost cat on social media and on lost pet websites, and by checking these sites regularly. You can also call animal shelters near your cat's last whereabouts. It's also recommended to place your cat's favorite items (blanket, toys, etc.) outside your home to help lure them back.

Hopefully, your cat will never have to take a 900-mile journey to return home to you like Rayne Beau did. But if it ever becomes separated from you, taking these steps can give you some peace of mind.