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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 · October 7, 2026

Potential sighting at 3am near Dogsitter's Home

Luca potentially spotted at 3am within range of the dog sitter's home a month ago. We are currently not providing the exact location to prevent well-meaning people from storming the area.

If he is still out there, we believe he is moving at nighttime, which is why no one has seen him. This is common for lost dogs.

Current status: We are currently working closely with Mike Noon from Catching Paws to catch Luca on our trail cameras, so we can narrow in our search.

⭐ REQUESTS FOR HELP

PLEASE IF YOU HAVE A LEAD, CALL (408) 621-2728 ASAP. We get helpful tips, but many are a few weeks late.

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.

We handed Luca over in his harness, secured to his leash. Yet within 10 minutes of drop-off, he was lost while in the dog sitter's care. He was loose with nothing on and ran away from their unfenced yard. The dog sitter then chased after him, terrifying him even more. We have Ring video evidence of this.

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.

See our story at: KSBW, ABC7, and NBC Bay Area

Everything We've Done

Note: We cannot fly drones in Laguna Seca, Pasadera, Ryan Ranch - the most critical areas. 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 300+ lost dog Facebook groups all over California
  • 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 25-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 at over 30+ locations
  • Search dog that walked Laguna Seca golf course and surrounding York Hills neighborhood
  • Explored gutters, backyard fences, small caves, game trails, and walked animal chutes
  • Thermal droned in Fort Ord, east of Laguna Seca racetrack, Corral de Tierra.
  • Contacted 300+ shelters, vets, rescues, dog groomers, dog businesses in California
  • HomeAgain microchip alerts sent to all local shelters/vets
  • Door-to-door with neighbors in York Hills and Pasadera
  • Scent lures (BBQ bacon, liquid smoke) at 11 PM and 4 AM
  • Coordinated with Laguna Seca Golf, Racetrack, Ryan Ranch, and Pasadera grounds staff
  • Animal Control, SPCA, CHP, and CalTrans are all aware of the case
  • Contacted Monterey hotels and Laguna Seca Campground guests in case tourist picked up
  • 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
  • Hiked all corners of York Hills, Laguna Seca, Pasadera, S Boundary, Chamisol
  • Talked to homeless encampments in Monterey and Salinas