Take action

Take action immediately. Search your home and yard carefully. Look under bushes and every area that would be a hiding place for your pet. Walk the neighborhood, especially the route you normally walk your dog. Make familiar sounds your pet is used to hearing. Drive around the neighborhood.

If you do not find your dog or cat within a reasonable time after canvassing the neighborhood, make flyers to put around the neighborhood. Alert your neighbors, shelters, mailman, and delivery persons that your pet is missing.

Give the flyers to walkers, joggers, people with dogs, the newspaper delivery person, or anyone you see regularly in your neighborhood. The more people you alert means more people will be on the lookout for your dog or cat. Call and visit the local shelters daily to look for your pet.

Facebook is a helpful tool for getting the word out about your lost pet. Search for groups in your geographical area and send them a picture and description of the last place your pet was seen. Let them know if your pet is nervous and what precautions should be taken if someone finds your pet.