If your pet goes missing, it’s important to enlist all the help you can get. Below are a few ways to get your community involved in the search.

If your dog or cat goes missing, it can be an incredibly stressful experience. Sometimes they turn up relatively quickly, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. If your pet goes missing for more than a few hours, it’s time to ask your community for help.

Here are three ways to get your community to join in your search:

1. Distribute fliers

It might sound old fashioned – but it often works! Print out some flyers and posters with a recent photo of your pet and distribute them around your neighborhood. You can find templates online or create your own, but the most important thing is to get the word out as soon as possible. If you’re printing in black and white, using colored paper is a great way to gain the attention of passers-by.

Take fliers to local vet clinics, pet stores, and any other businesses you think might be willing to display them. You may find members of your community who are happy to help distribute fliers. Drop fliers off at houses on your street, and display them in your front yard and on your car.

2. Spread the word online

Harness the power of the internet by tapping into apps like Nextdoor, where you can connect with people in your neighborhood quickly and easily. You can also post in local Facebook groups, post a lost pet report on Pet FBI, and see if there are any missing pet networks in your area.

You may also find a Lost & Found section for your neighborhood on Craigslist. Check any posts here and create one of your own with the same details you included on your flier. If there’s a local community newsletter or newspaper, ask the editors if you can place an advert. Enlist friends and family to visit local animal shelters within a 60-mile radius of your home to leave fliers with them, and call for regular updates.

3. Request a search

Ask everyone you meet in your neighborhood to check their properties and keep an eye out for your missing pet. Some close neighbors may be willing to let you check their property yourself. Lost cats may be trapped in a garage or shed that’s now shut, and timid dogs can hide in backyards if they’re feeling scared.

Asking mail carriers and delivery drivers to keep an eye out for your pet is also a good idea as they cover plenty of streets on their rounds.

Don’t give up!

It’s not over until it’s over! Don’t be afraid to remind your neighbors to keep their eyes peeled, and to follow up on sightings. Keep them updated on your search, and more importantly, keep the faith that your beloved pet will show up safe and sound. When she arrives home safely, consider adding a bluetooth tracker to her collar so you always know where she is in the future!