A Yelm couple is desperately searching for their 7-year-old Miniature Pinscher, Jupiter, after the dog disappeared while in the care of a sitter they booked through the Rover app. The sitter, identified by investigators as Joshua Wilson, first told the couple that Jupiter was missing, then stopped responding altogether. The loss hits especially hard for owner Lisa Cole, who is undergoing treatment for stage-4 breast cancer and says Jupiter has been her constant companion through it.
Thurston County detectives say Wilson is now at the center of an active investigation and have asked the public to keep an eye out. Investigators told reporters that he may be driving a blue 2007 Volkswagen Beetle with Washington plate CEG5273. Anyone who spots Wilson is urged to call 911 or Thurston County dispatch at 360-704-2740. These details were reported by FOX 13 Seattle.
When the couple got home from a weekend trip, they say the scene inside their house did not sit right. They report finding another dog locked in a bedroom, the front door left unlocked, and heavy loads of wet sheets, towels and blankets in the washer and dryer. During their time away, they say Wilson had been sending regular updates, including a video of Jupiter riding in his car, before suddenly texting that the dog was missing and then cutting off contact. The couple has turned to local lost-pet groups and created a listing on PawBoost to spread the word.
Rover's response
Rover's Trust & Safety team told the family it is involved in the search for Jupiter and has removed the sitter from its platform. The company said it has paid for printed flyers, posted alerts on pet-finding platforms and offered a reward in hopes of bringing Jupiter home. Rover also told the family it would cover the cost of tracking tools and traps and that nearby sitters and walkers had been notified to stay alert. The owners have launched a fundraising page to help cover search expenses, as detailed by FOX 13 Seattle.
How to help
Anyone with information about Wilson or Jupiter is asked to call 911 or Thurston County dispatch at 360-704-2740. The county lists that non-emergency number on its main contact page, and law enforcement is urging people to pass any tips about Wilson's movements or possible sightings of Jupiter directly to detectives. A full directory of department numbers and non-emergency contacts is available on the sheriff's contact page at Thurston County.
Where the investigation stands
Detectives say the case remains active and that Wilson is the person who may be able to explain what happened to Jupiter. Investigators told reporters he has family ties in Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities and Elgin, Oregon, so word is being spread well beyond Yelm. The owners emphasize that they are not accusing Wilson of intentionally harming Jupiter; they say they simply want answers and any chance to get their dog back. For now, the search is driven by neighbors, online communities and anyone who might recognize Wilson or the blue Volkswagen Beetle described by investigators.
