At a glance

  • Buddha Dog Rescue and Recovery says a dog named Raven was safely captured August 25 after a search in Rockaway, New Jersey.
  • The rescue says Raven had been left inside a shed for about four days before police found and released the dog.
  • Raven ran away after leaving the shed, prompting a search with cameras, feeding stations and a humane trap.
  • WRNJ Radio is the current published report carrying the rescue's full account.
  • The alleged vehicle theft connection has not been independently confirmed in a public police statement reviewed by Buddylio.

A dog named Raven was found safe after a multi day search in Rockaway, New Jersey, according to Buddha Dog Rescue and Recovery. The rescue says Raven had first been discovered inside a shed, then ran away and was later captured safely in a humane trap.

WRNJ Radio published the full account on August 26 and attributes the timeline to the rescue organization. Buddylio has not found a public police release independently confirming every detail, so the account remains clearly attributed rather than presented as an official finding.

Police and animal control contacted the rescue

Buddha Dog Rescue and Recovery says Rockaway Police and Rockaway Animal Control contacted the organization on Saturday. According to the rescue, officers had learned that Raven was inside a shed and heard the dog while searching nearby properties.

The rescue says Raven had been inside for about four days without food or water. After the shed was opened, Raven drank water, became frightened and ran away. WRNJ reports those details from the rescue's account.

Fictional black dog walking along the edge of marshy New Jersey woods
A fictional search scene. It does not show Raven or the actual Rockaway location.

Cameras and feeding stations guided the search

The rescue set feeding stations and cameras in areas where Raven might travel. One station was removed after a bear repeatedly used the area, according to WRNJ's account.

A later sighting near construction equipment behind an elementary school narrowed the search. Cameras then recorded Raven near the wooded area, and rescuers placed a humane trap where the dog had been moving.

Raven entered the trap Tuesday evening

The rescue says a camera recorded Raven approaching the trap at 6:39 p.m. Tuesday. The dog eventually entered for food and was secured safely.

The current report does not provide a public veterinary diagnosis or long term placement update. It establishes the immediate outcome that Raven was alive and safely recovered.

Fictional black dog beside a humane trap and feeding station at the edge of New Jersey woods
A fictional scene showing a humane lost dog search setup. It is not evidence from the case.

The vehicle claim remains attributed

Buddha Dog Rescue and Recovery says a man suspected of stealing a delivery van left Raven in the shed while fleeing police. Buddylio has not located a public police statement or second newsroom independently confirming that full sequence.

For that reason, the alleged vehicle theft is not in this article's headline and is not stated as an independently established fact. The confirmed public outcome in the available report is that the search ended with Raven safe.

Sources

On the sourcing: The detailed timeline comes from Buddha Dog Rescue and Recovery as reported by WRNJ. Buddylio has not independently confirmed the alleged vehicle theft connection.

How we reported this: Buddylio reviewed the named sources, checked the organizations and figures shown above, and added context for animal lovers. Any illustration is labeled and does not depict the actual animals or scene. This report was checked on August 27, 2026. The rescue said Raven had been captured safely. Articles are editorial content, not veterinary advice.