Elusive Stray ~ Case 486

On September 1, Denton Animal Services Shelter Operations Manager Morgan reached out to our team requesting assistance with the capture of a fearful stray dog who has been living near the Locust Road and Hercules Lane area of Denton for approximately three months. Three dedicated Denton Animal Services volunteers, Maria, Debra, and Julie, have been feeding her and affectionately began calling her “Perdida,” Spanish for “lost.” They established a consistent feeding station and have been diligently working to earn her trust while trying to find a safe way to capture her.

By the time we were contacted, the volunteers had already done an incredible amount of groundwork. Perdida had become very consistent at the feeding station and was following a predictable routine, which is one of the most important pieces in preparing a fearful dog for capture. They had also tried using a traditional large live trap. Perdida entered the trap several times to eat without triggering it, and during a later manually triggered attempt, the door failed to close completely and she escaped. Knowing they needed a different approach and different equipment, they continued maintaining her feeding routine while Denton Animal Services reached out to our team for assistance.

After reviewing the history of the case and the tremendous amount of groundwork their volunteers had already done, we did not hesitate to take her case.

Our team deployed to the area within just a few hours of their request, and we are now working alongside Denton Animal Services and their volunteers to safely capture Perdida within the next few days.

Follow the timeline below for daily updates and to follow Perdida’s capture!

Our team deployed to the site today to assess the existing feeding station and surrounding area, determine the best location for our large corral trap, and install one of our live monitoring cameras at the feeding station.

When we arrived, Perdida was actually on site. Rather than approaching or interacting with her, we simply ignored her and went about our work while she watched us from a safe distance. We were able to identify an excellent location for the corral trap that is secluded from public view and requires only a very slight adjustment to her existing feeding station.

For the next couple of days, we’re going to let the cameras do the work for us. The feeding station will be replenished morning and evening using our standard feeding protocol in preparation for capture, while our team monitors Perdida remotely to confirm her feeding times and make sure she continues comfortably returning to the station. Outside of those twice daily feedings, we’ll keep human activity around the area to an absolute minimum and allow her routine to remain as quiet and predictable as possible.

Our current plan is to return early Friday evening and deploy our large corral trap around the feeding station. The trap door will be locked open, allowing Perdida to freely enter, eat, and leave while we monitor her remotely with a live camera inside the corral. If she comfortably enters and eats as expected, our team will return early Saturday morning, arm the trap door, and prepare to capture her during her morning feeding.

PLEASE SHARE: If you are in the area and happen to see Perdida, please do not approach, call to, follow, or attempt to interact with her, and please do not feed her. She is now on a carefully controlled feeding and capture protocol, and the best way the public can help us right now is simply to ignore her and allow her routine to remain completely undisturbed.

Maria was out bright and early this morning to put out fresh food and water at the feeding station, and Perdida was already nearby waiting patiently from a distance. As soon as Maria walked away, Perdida came straight to the station and began eating. She finished her entire breakfast and returned to the station several times throughout the morning looking for more food.

That is exactly where we want her right now. As we prepare for capture, we want Perdida hungry enough to be highly motivated to come to the feeding station at mealtime, without ever allowing her to go without food. Her morning and evening feedings are carefully controlled so she maintains the predictable routine we need for a successful capture.

Because of the heavy traffic in the area and the risk it poses to Perdida, along with the increasing amount of human activity around the feeding station, we have made the decision to move our capture operation up by one day. Rather than waiting until Saturday, our team will deploy the corral Friday afternoon and prepare to capture her during an earlier afternoon/evening feeding.

If all goes well, we will be streaming the capture operation LIVE on Facebook and YouTube late Friday afternoon, so be sure to turn on your notifications if you’d like to follow along! ❤️

PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP US: We are asking everyone to please avoid the area where Perdida is currently staying and do not go looking for her. If you happen to see her, please do not approach, chase, call to, or feed her. Simply ignore her and allow her to continue following the routine we have established. The less human activity around her right now, the better our chances are for a safe and successful capture tomorrow.

Julie replenished the feeding station this evening, and just like clockwork, Perdida was nearby watching her from a safe distance. Within seconds of Julie finishing and walking away, Perdida came straight to the feeding station and started eating.

She is continuing to follow her routine beautifully and is showing exactly the consistency we want to see heading into tomorrow’s capture. ❤️

Our team has arrived on scene, deployed the corral, and staged approximately 70 yards away where we can monitor everything remotely without interfering with Perdida’s normal routine. When she goes inside we will close the corral door remotely.  

We are streaming LIVE from inside the corral if you’d like to join us and watch the capture operation unfold in real time:

https://www.youtube.com/live/VwxXViVdH_o?is=E1vMQSuUzTPgflkn

Thank you so much to Maria, Debra and John for all of their help today. 💚

At 17:48, Perdida was safely captured without incident!

She experienced only a brief moment of panic when the corral door closed, but as soon as our team approached, her demeanor quickly changed. Rather than moving to the opposite side of the corral to create distance, Perdida actually chose to stay on the side closest to our team members.

Within moments, she was calm, engaging with the team, and even giving team members kisses! 💚 After approximately three months of surviving on her own, Perdida was finally safe.

While watching the stream, when you hear team member Selena say, “What was that?” it was because we watched a vehicle on Locust suddenly swerve almost into the ditch and then slammed on its brakes. At first, all we could see was the vehicle, but then Perdida popped out from directly in front of it. She had literally just come within seconds of being hit by a vehicle right in front of us. After that quick commotion, she headed straight toward the corral and was safely captured. ~~~ Watching it back really puts into perspective just how dangerous that area had become for her and how incredibly important it was that we moved her capture up by a day. 💚