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The Pipkin Detective Agency has come on board to assist in this matter and will be investigating all leads.
PDA Field Agent Navarro can be reached 24/7/365 at (559) 765-5161. All communications are strictly confidential.

Luca, a tri-color mini Australian Shepherd with bright blue eyes, resting on a couch
Missing since June 21

Bring Luca home.

GoFundMeSupport the search for Luca

Our sweet boy was lost near Laguna Seca Golf Course in Monterey. If you see him:DON'T CHASE. TAKE A PHOTO. CALL US RIGHT AWAY.

(408) 621-2728(559) 765-5161confidential line
LATEST UPDATE · August 26, 2026

MONTH 2 UPDATE

Rich & Enzo (search dog) from AltiStar Drone Rescue came to help Luca's search the week of August 16. We believe Luca is still nearby and can survive safely here.

Lessons:

  1. 1️⃣ Wildlife can coexist. We saw coyotes, bobcats and her cubs sitting right next to rabbits. There is enough food and water for everyone.
  2. 2️⃣ Wildlife are not afraid of the noise, highway, planes, or racetrack. A buck was sitting right next to the gun range.

Luca is probably used to all of this by now. We don't think this would cause him to run far away.

The challenge is that we still cannot drone Laguna Seca or Pasadera… You NEED to drone at the right time and temperature in the morning. A 4pm thermal drone is pointless.

⭐ REQUESTS FOR HELP

  1. 1️⃣ Drone volunteers needed to help search in Toro Park, San Benancio and Salinas River areas.
  2. 2️⃣ Flyering in Santa Cruz & Bay Area and make more calls to more vets, animals shelters, and animal stores.

Yellow highlight is where we have posted flyers.

Map showing search area coverage across Monterey County and surrounding regions

Be brave. Be strong. Be courageous.

Mom & Dad love you so much. We are looking for you. 
Follow the golden thread back to us.

This world is not a scary place. 
There are many kind people that want to help you come home.

Take the first step. Have faith.

Come home soon my Jujubee.

About Luca

Breed
Mini Australian Shepherd
AGE & WEIGHT
3 years, 40 lbs
Coat
Copper / grey / white / tan
Eye Color
Blue
Tail?
No tail
Microchipped?
Yes
Wearing collar when lost?
No
Last Seen
June 26 · Laguna Seca Golf Course, Hole 2–4

Luca is sweet but shy. He is generally skiddish, and does not like to approach strangers. Especially now, he may run if you call or try to approach.

What Happened?

Chris Cerney (Instagram)

On June 21, we were visiting from San Francisco for Father's Day, and dropped Luca off at a new dog sitter in Monterey for a 1-night stay. No one else was available to take care of Luca. Luca was visibly nervous, but he's been at other boarding homes and settles in eventually.

Yet within minutes of drop off — Luca got scared and managed to run away. The sitter also panicked and chased after Luca, which made him even more terrified. Everything happened in a split second. We saw this on the Ring camera.

This search has also been very difficult because Luca does not know how to come home. He does not know Monterey. Because of how he ran away, he is in deep fear and flight mode, hiding even from mom and dad's voices.

Everything We've Done

Note: We cannot fly drones in Laguna Seca / Pasadera. This area is in a strict FAA no-fly zone near Monterey Regional Airport because it is directly under the flight path. Our request for a special permit was denied. This has significantly hampered our search.

  • Drones are only allowed at 100ft in certain areas in Fort Ord, south of HW68, and east of the Racetrack.

Only 3 search dogs handlers service all of California (crazy, I know). We are in contact with them, but they need a more recent sighting to be effective.

All leads exhausted, no confirmed sightings since June 26.

  • Nextdoor, PawBoost, and local Facebook groups
  • Hung stinky clothes at (1) the sitter's house / last location before separation and (2) along the golf course where he was seen
  • 24/7 stakeouts during the daytime heat and cold nights at both the original location and the golf course
  • Flyers across a 20-mile radius (Monterey, Salinas, Seaside, Carmel, Fort Ord, PB, PG, Prunedale, Castroville) and local events (farmer's markets, garage sales)
  • 5 trail cameras around the neighborhood and golf course
  • Hiked all corners of York Hills, Laguna Seca, Pasadera, S Boundary, Chamisol
  • Explored gutters, backyard fences, small caves, game trails, and walked animal chutes
  • Thermal drone in Calera Canyon and saw nothing
  • Contacted every shelter and vet in the area
  • HomeAgain microchip alerts sent to all local shelters/vets
  • Door-to-door with neighbors in York Hills / Pasadera
  • Scent lures (BBQ bacon, liquid smoke) at 11 PM and 4 AM
  • Coordinated with Laguna Seca and Pasadera management and grounds staff
  • Animal Control, SPCA, CHP, and CalTrans are all aware of the case
  • Contacted hotels/motels, vets, dog groomers, and pet stores in a 15-mile radius
  • Filed police reports with Monterey, San Francisco, and San Jose
  • Talked in person to agricultural community workers on the fields, during lunch, and boarding their busses
  • Flyered at Amazon distribution center, major truck plazas, and post offices
  • Fire department thermal droned over Laguna Seca, Pasadera and southern bound of Fort Ord
  • Talked to homeless encampments in Monterey and Salinas