Couple Rescues Lost Cat at San Josef Bay Campsite, Reunites It with Nanaimo Owners
A couple camping at San Josef Bay on North Vancouver Island discovered a lost cat, Pip Squick, who had been missing from Nanaimo for two weeks. After unsuccessful attempts by other campers to rescue him, Seul Lee crawled into the bushes to retrieve the terrified cat, ultimately bringing him to safety. Following a visit to the vet to confirm his microchip, Lee and her husband returned Pip to his owners, emphasizing the importance of keeping pets safe in unfamiliar environments.
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Summary
A couple camping at San Josef Bay on North Vancouver Island discovered a lost cat, Pip Squick, who had been missing from Nanaimo for two weeks. After unsuccessful attempts by other campers to rescue him, Seul Lee crawled into the bushes to retrieve the terrified cat, ultimately bringing him to safety. Following a visit to the vet to confirm his microchip, Lee and her husband returned Pip to his owners, emphasizing the importance of keeping pets safe in unfamiliar environments.
Details
A recent camping trip on North Vancouver Island took an unexpected turn when a couple discovered a lost cat hiding in the brush. Seul Lee and her husband, Matt Reimer, arrived at the San Josef Bay campsite on August 13, only to learn from fellow campers that a missing cat had been spotted nearby. The campers had previously attempted to contact the cat's owner using a satellite phone, but their efforts were unsuccessful. A pencil-drawn poster detailing the cat's disappearance was also found in the area, raising concerns about the feline's safety.
The following morning, the same campers returned to try and rescue the cat but were unable to coax it out of its hiding spot. Lee, determined to help, decided to use hot dogs left by the other campers as bait. Despite her efforts, the frightened cat remained elusive. Undeterred, Lee crawled into the bushes, enduring scratches in her quest to rescue the terrified animal. After a challenging struggle, she successfully retrieved the cat and placed it in their tent, humorously noting that the claw marks on the tent would serve as a souvenir from the experience.
The couple's camping trip was cut short by an approaching storm, and they quickly realized they had no cat food or litter box for their new companion. They hiked 45 minutes back to their car with the cat nestled in Lee's backpack. A visit to North Island Vet confirmed the cat's identity as Pip Squick, a two-year-old feline from Nanaimo who had been missing since July 29. After a five-hour drive, Lee and Reimer were able to reunite Pip with his relieved owners.
Lee emphasized the importance of sharing their story as a cautionary tale for pet owners, urging them to reconsider bringing cats on camping trips due to their unpredictable nature in unfamiliar environments. Reflecting on the experience, Lee stated, "It was a long, exhausting rescue—but worth every moment to know he’s safe." Their adventure not only ended with a happy reunion but also served as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.
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Sources
- CHEK: https://cheknews.ca/lost-cat-found-at-vancouver-island-campsite-five-hours-away-from-home-1273829/
This story was compiled by our automated newsroom from official sources and local reporting. Editors review for accuracy.