Think ahead. Have your pet microchipped and wearing up to date tags. When walking, use a Martingale collar. Add a halter and a second leash with an active GPS attached to collar if newly adopted pet, foster pet, or timid pet - keep in large roomy comfortable crate in room away from any doors to outside or open windows until used to his/her surroundings.
LOST DOG:
Besides posting flyers, checking with neighbors, contacting vets, visiting shelters every few days, give flyers with picture and info to mail person, ups, fedex etc drivers.
See Tips on finding lost dog at:
https://www.fidofinder.com/find-your-lost-dog/
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/lost-and-found-dogs/find-lost-dog/
https://nodogaboutit.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/why-your-lost-dog-may-not-run-back-to-you/
PHS (Putnam Humane Society) has developed a great resource page to help you! See their website at http://puthumane.org/ under Lost and Found.
Another dog lover suggests: Post on lostmydoggie.com too - it faxes vets in the area.
pawboost.com
Also put your lost pet on Craig's list under Pets Lost And Found in case someone doesn't have social media or tries to sell her/him.
Follow these tips:
The dog owner(s) should take an article of clothing that has been worn at least all day,
the longer the better, so the lost dog can pick up the scent.
Bring the article of clothing to the location where the dog was last seen and leave it there.
Also, if the dog has a crate & familiar toy, you can bring those too
(unless location undesirable for crate).
You might also want to leave a note requesting item(s) not to be moved.
Leave a bowl of water there too, as the dog probably hasn’t had access to any.
Do not bring food as this could attract other animals that the dog might avoid.
Come back the next day, or check intermittently if possible.
Hopefully the dog will be waiting there.
Also check out the links on this website (http://kittykaper.weebly.com) under :
Hints for Finding a Lost Pet
20 Tips for Finding Your Lost Pet
General Pet Search Tips
Stolen Pet:
First contact your local police and report your pet stolen.
Check your neighbors' surveillance cameras.
Besides posting flyers, give picture and info with neighbors, veterinarians, post offices, pet food stores. Especially give to mail person, ups, fedex etc drivers and ask them to keep an eye out for your stolen pet.
Check shelters and rescues in person in your area and give clear picture of pet to them.
Post flyers on bulletin boards of schools and churches.
Ask the neighborhood kids. Kids many times are more observant and know more about what goes on in the neighborhood than adults.
Contact your local newspapers and tv news stations and have them keep running your missing pet along with his/her picture and who to contact with info. Offer a reward for information that leads to your pet's recovery.
Contact Lost Pets of the Hudson Valley Facebook and website and post your pet picture and info there if local to the Hudson Valley or surrounding area. If not, post to your local Lost Pet Facebook pages and websites.
Make sure you keep an eye on craigslist and garage sale sections of your online newspapers.
Also look at
Lost Pet Help
Lost Dog Help
Lost Cat Help
on this website