Housekeeping Lets California Family’s Dog Escape at Yellowstone, and She’s Still Missing More Than a Month Later

A California family’s dog has been missing in Yellowstone National Park for more than a month after escaping from their rented cabin. The 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Luna got out on September 10 when a housekeeping employee opened the door.

The family had left Luna inside while visiting Norris Geyser Basin, where pets are not allowed. They also put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the cabin door, according to Norris Ark Rescue, the Montana organization helping find her.

Housekeeping employees reportedly chased Luna for about two hours before the family returned. The family spent another week searching for her before heading home to California.

Luna has since been spotted walking through Yellowstone’s Canyon Village area and even entering buildings through automatic doors. Rescuers believe she’s still nearby, but the approaching winter weather is making their job harder.

Housekeeping Entered the Cabin While the Family Was Away

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Katie Boucher, president of Norris Ark Training and Recovery Center, told Cowboy State Daily that Luna became frightened when employees chased her. She said the dog ran farther into the woods and has been avoiding people ever since. Xanterra, which operates Yellowstone National Park Lodges, gave the newspaper a different explanation of what happened at the cabin.

Todd Walton, the company’s director of marketing and sales, said the family had asked a housekeeper to bring fresh towels despite having the sign on the door. He described what happened as a miscommunication and said Xanterra provided the family with complimentary lodging during the search.

Boucher said she received a 50% discount on three nights of lodging but wanted more help from the company. She credited another Yellowstone concessionaire, Delaware North, with providing an RV spot and meals so she could continue searching.

The official Yellowstone National Park Lodges pet policy also says animals cannot be left unattended in cabins. Dogs are allowed in designated pet-friendly accommodations, but they must be restrained and supervised.

Luna Has Been Seen Inside Yellowstone Lodges

Luna was spotted on September 13 and then again on September 20, two days after her family left the park. Boucher said people have reported seeing the dog regularly since then.

Some of those sightings have come from security cameras at businesses around Canyon Village. An October 9 photo showed Luna still wearing the purple collar she had on when she escaped.

She’s also been seen going through automatic doors at lodges and restaurants. Boucher said Luna spent the first year of her life living on the streets before being rescued and adopted. She believes those early experiences have helped the small dog survive on her own for so long.

Rescuers Are Running Out of Time Before Winter

Boucher believes she has found the area where Luna has been sleeping and is working to catch her with a remotely operated humane trap. The rescuers are using familiar scents rather than food because they don’t want to attract bears and other wildlife.

There isn’t much time left. Boucher told the Associated Press that the RV area where she has been staying is scheduled to close on October 19, and the weather could force her to stop searching. Snow has already started falling in parts of Yellowstone, and the temperatures will continue to drop as winter approaches.

Rescuers are asking anyone who spots Luna not to chase her, call her name, or try feeding her. Instead, they want people to take a picture, record the location, and report the sighting to the National Park Service or Norris Ark. The organization can also be reached at 406-946-2825.