Love for lost pets: Facebook groups come to the rescue

CASPER, Wyoming — Picture guinea pigs Buster and Lamb Chop, alone and abandoned on Casper Mountain. How they ended up there is still unclear, but their rescue required a collective miracle.

Because she works long hours at multiple jobs, Erika Batchelor of Casper decided it would be best to give Buster and Lamb Chop a loving home where they can get the attention they deserve.

And that’s exactly what Erika did. At least she thought she did.

A few days later, Erika was shocked to receive a picture of a guinea pig on Casper Mountain on the Facebook page “Casper Pets: Lost N Found.”

“I knew immediately that it was Buster,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sydney Schwindt and Rodney Jones saw the post. Both are guinea pig fans and have two of their own. Without hesitation, they drove to the location described. They found Buster and Lamb Chop, picked them up and posted the pair on Facebook, where they were seen by Erika’s sister, who contacted Erika.

And so, after several days in the wild, Buster and Lamb Chop are back home, where they will stay.

“At this point, it was fate that brought them back to me,” Erika said. Given the heat, thunderstorms and marauding predators, “it’s a miracle they were found unharmed.”

Casper Pets: Lost N Found is one of several animal rescue groups on Facebook, including Casper’s Lost Pets and similar initiatives in Mills, Bar Nunn and Evansville.

A typical post reads: “My kitten must have sneaked out last night without my knowledge when I let the dogs out to go to the bathroom before bed. Her sister has been running around the house meowing and looking for her. She is not an outdoor cat so I am sure she is very scared so if you see her please contact me. She is wearing a blue collar and no name on it. My kids, husband and I really miss her and want her to come home safe.”

In this case, the kitten returned home on its own. However, when an elderly lady lost her beloved cat, the cat was missing for several days until it was lured out of hiding with the help of a neighbor.

Some pet recovery efforts happen almost in real time. Someone reports a lost dog with pictures, and concerned people report its movements from street to street, crowned with joyful comments when the owner is found.

Buster the guinea pig survived his harrowing adventure on Casper Mountain in good condition. Pork Chop, however, had to be taken to the vet, where he was treated for severe dehydration. He was prescribed intensive nutrition, which had to be administered several times a day by syringe. Erika and her neighbor made sure that Pork Chop was fed around the clock.

And his condition improved. Soon Pork Chop was munching on a salad and playing with a strawberry like a toy.

“I would say it’s clear he’s getting better!” posted Erika. “Thank you to everyone who sent us their thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!”

Of course, not all stories have happy endings. Sometimes animals disappear and are never seen again or are found dead on the streets of Casper. Anne Stanley, a leader of local animal welfare organizations, said if a dog or cat is killed in a traffic accident, people should bring them to the curb and notify Metro Animal Services so they can be checked for a microchip.

She added that if a pet goes missing, it’s also a good idea to file a missing person report with Metro and check with the Casper Humane Society.

Anne said the Facebook groups have excellent working relationships with Metro and the Humane Society.

Craig Cummings, director of the Casper Humane Society, said his staff regularly visits lost pet sites.

“No matter what people say about social media, it has made it much easier for people to connect and spread news,” he added.

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