$1,000 reward, no questions asked, for return of missing Cubby
When Sage Hostetter and her boyfriend, Brenen Basaldua, left town in early March, they entrusted their two beloved cats, Cubby and Ben, to a pet sitter. Just one day into their trip, on March 6, they received a call that would change everything: the apartment door had been left open, and both cats were missing.
They rushed home in a panic. Ben had returned. Cubby had not.
More than five weeks later, Cubby remains missing — and time is running out.
Serious Medical Needs Raise Urgency
Cubby suffers from a severe autoimmune condition that requires daily medication and ongoing care.
“When I adopted him, I was fully aware of his health issues,” Hostetter said. “Cubby needs his medication to survive. Without it, his body essentially begins attacking itself.”
He also requires protective coverings on his paws to prevent painful blistering and infection, and he is currently scheduled for crucial eye surgery — a procedure Hostetter spent a year saving for.
Beyond his physical condition, Cubby shares a deep bond
with his brother, Ben. The two were adopted together as kittens and have never been apart. Since Cubby’s disappearance, Ben has become withdrawn and has refused to eat, raising further concern for both cats’ well-being.
An Exhaustive Community Search
Hostetter, along with friends, family and neighbors, has mounted an extensive search effort. For weeks, volunteers canvassed the apartment complex and surrounding area, often late into the night, using headlamps, cameras and food to try to lure Cubby home.
Flyers have been distributed door to door and posted throughout the neighborhood, while online posts have circulated across platforms including Nextdoor and Facebook, as well as numerous lost-pet websites.
Search parties have been organized, and professional animal trackers — including Dog Days Search and Rescue — have assisted in the effort.
Despite these measures, Cubby has not been seen since the day he disappeared.
Belief Someone Is Caring for Him
Multiple neighbors, including children, reported seeing Cubby near the apartment complex for several hours the day he went missing. The final sighting
occurred just minutes before the search began.
Based on those reports, Hostetter believes someone may have found Cubby and taken him in, unaware that he is missing or that he requires urgent medical care.
“I believe a kindhearted person may have taken Cubby in, not realizing we’ve been searching for him or that he is seriously ill,” she said. “We desperately need him back home with us.”
$1,000 Reward Offered for Safe Return
Hostetter and Basaldua are offering a $1,000 reward for Cubby’s safe return or for information leading to his recovery — no questions asked.
“We will have nothing but gratitude for whoever has kept him safe,” Hostetter said. “Please return him so we can resume his care and reunite him with his brother. We love him so much. We’re devastated and won’t stop searching until he’s home.”
Anyone with information is urged to call or text 805-758-8893 or return Cubby to Unit 2102 at Buenaventura Gardens on Dean Drive in Ventura.
