FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each question to expand the answer.
What is ROAM?
ROAM is a 100% volunteer run non-profit organization, dedicated to reuniting lost and found pets with their owners.
Who are we?
ROAM was formed when a team of 5 administrators and senior searchers decided to form our own strong, cohesive, community-friendly team.
What do we do?
From the moment we are alerted with a lost or found pet, our admins begin to work behind the scenes to get the details necessary to post a pet to our website.
We give advice and support to owners of lost pets to get a search started, or in the case of a found pet, to locate the owners.
If an animal seems to be settling in one area, we may set up a feeding station and infrared/motion ‘trail cameras’, followed by a humane, live-trap.
Why do we need another animal search organization?
We feel that the ‘need’ necessitates organizations like ROAM.
Have more questions that are not answered here?
We are so thankful for ROAM stepping in to help us find Hazel! We were in Toronto when we discovered our 10 lb rescue had spooked at a dog park & escaped, running for her life. The ROAM team deployed at our panicked request and stayed out in the wind & rain until late in the evening as they co-ordinated a search with our family, friends & community. Fortunately, and with great thanks to ROAM’s knowledge of how to handle scared dogs, Hazel only had to spend one night out in the cold. She was found safe the next day! Thank you ROAM for volunteering your time and energy to find our much-loved family member.
Kirsten F
There is no better feeling to have your dogs returned no worse than wear after fearing the worse. ROAM just happened along at the exact time the dogs needed protection from heavy traffic. You were the angels I prayed for…talk about the stars lining up! Thank you, thank you, thank you. There are no words to express my happiness to have my fur babies safely home and curled up in my lap sleeping off their adventure. We are closely inspecting our fencing to find the breech and have contracted a company to cross fence our back yard to keep our “Adventuress and Houdini” out of our natural area and away from bunny trails…their world will be downsized so hopefully, we’ll not go through this again. Barb and Terry you have hearts of gold and are doing such important work. May your lives be blessed for all you do…
Yvonne Y
A huge thank you goes out to this organization, the people behind it, and the compassionate service they provide. I am beyond grateful. When my little dog Ruby was scared off running by a hang glider that appeared over some trees in an off leash park, I was completely distraught when I couldn’t catch her and then eventually lost sight of her. I am new to Victoria and didn’t know anyone to help me so after calling animal control I continued to search. Then I remembered hearing about this organization Roam and gave them a call. I was crying and not sure if they could understand me, but they took the time to get the information and post immediately on the website with Ruby’s picture. Within another hour I had Ruby safely back in my arms. It was through this organization that we found each other again so quickly. We don’t tend to think about these things happening and I’m quite sure I never want to experience that terrifying feeling again. But it is nice to know this service is available for pet owners and I can testify that it works! The compassion and calm of Barb on the other end of the phone and the follow up happy texts went above and beyond any of my expectations. Once again, beyond grateful.
Carla B
There is no way for us at Loved At Last Dog Rescue to adequately thank ROAM and Terry and Barb and their amazingly dedicated volunteers for their tireless efforts and commitment to catching Stella. This fearful girl had been rescued from a life as a stray in the streets of Iran only to escape from her foster home. We despaired that Stella could ever be caught. But then we didn’t know about ROAM’s experience, skill and most importantly their refusal to quit until the dog is caught. Even though FLED had been asked first to search for Stella it was ROAM who kept in constant contact with us with updates about sightings of Stella. We quickly realized that Stella’s best chance of being caught lay with ROAM. I doubt Terry and Barb slept more than a four hours a night since Stella’s escape. It became readily apparent to me that it wasn’t a matter of if ROAM caught Stella but when. And despite our repeated offers to make a donation Terry and Barb preferred that the money be used to help rescue other homeless dogs like Stella. And if all this wasn’t enough, Terry and Barb have also offered to help us find an adoptive home for Stella in the Victoria area. Amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you ROAM. You are the best!
Jan O
On behalf of Queenie, all the local volunteers and the Puerto Vallarta SPCA (PVCA) we want to express our sincere gratitude for Terry of ROAM for his assistance. As you know Queenie arrived in Canada and was lost very shortly afterward, in the North Vancouver winter. She didn’t know where she was, and wasn’t used to the winter. As a rescue from Mexico, we relied on a group of random volunteers that came together, as well as a PVCA rescuer that flew up from Mexico. Within a very short time, you dropped everything to come to Vancouver despite the distance, with your equipment, your guidance, and your dedication. And even after leaving you were with us supporting remotely. Your contribution and your dedication to this dog and this group of strangers gives me great faith in humanity. We are grateful beyond words.
Deanna P
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the people you have helped and supported. Operating a service available at no cost to animal owners at a time of need and hearing about your contribution from a fellow dog owner. You are well appreciated, have been successful in your mantra and are COMPLETELY APPRECIATED BY THE LIVES YOU TOUCH AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU AVAILABLE IF NEED BE. THANK YOU FOR DEMONSTRATING THE GOOD AND GREATER GOOD IN YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. MORE THAN 5 STARS AND A STANDING OVATION, KEEP DOING WHAT YOUR DOING. Holly B
ROAM – Reuniting Owners with Animals Missing is an absolute dream! I cannot thank everyone enough for the help provided – from the organizers to the volunteers to the Facebook friends. I didn’t know where to start, and you pointed me in the right direction, with the support and care that I so badly needed. I was overwhelmed with the help I received – I don’t ask for help easily and to have so many willing, caring strangers step up was more than I could’ve imagined. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing my love home! I’ve been telling everyone about ROAM and am so thankful to have learned about this amazing group of people.
Katie W
What amazing people/service🙂 Alan is my brothers dog- i had let him out this afternoon 2pm with out his collar:(- he slipped into the park and was gone- i was searching for hours for him before my brother got home – he arrived home and i broke him the news- its the worst feeling-we had paused our searched efforts in hopes he would find his way back- he was too lost -we made some calls and got in touch with roam- these people were on the scene within an hour -they were everywhere searching for hours- they kept in contact with me the whole time- and were relentless with there search – they had Alan back by 7pm before dark- what an amazing feeling- i owe roam bigtime – if you ever lose your pet – you need these people on your side- unreal service- thank you soo much!!!!!!
Justin F
Thank you so much ROAM for helping me find my boy. Within no time the ad was up and you were giving me advice and support. I can not thank you enough for the efforts you put in and getting out there in the middle of the night to search! You are wonderful people and you’re doing an amazing job. Thank you from me and Kiedis! Time for a long nap 🙂
Kori R
Ryder is safe and at home with us. Thank you to Terry and Rachel and all of the ROAM volunteers who contributed to the safe return of our dog. We had several sightings early this morning following the route I took while looking for him today. We found him at Ash and Edgemont and with Terry’s exceptional guidance were able to reunite with our boy. We cannot say thank you enough to all who helped and sent messages of support. ROAM as an organization was outstanding start to finish. We could not have done this without ROAM. I cannot praise them highly enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!💕
🐶
Deb H