What to do when you lose your dog

Activate a phone chain. Call whomever you can.
FindToto.com will automatically call every phone within a mile or so with a lost dog alert. There is a fee but it is done very quickly and the first hours are the most critical.
Print fliers (see example). Have the breed, and phone number large and clear. Use the best picture you have. Keep in mind that copies usually degrade the quality of the picture so enhance the contrast and lighten the picture before copying. Do not put all distinguishing characteristics of the dog on the flier in case you need to prove the dog is yours and in case you need to verify a hoax. Use a phone number that will be monitored 24/7. It helps if you state that the dog needs medication (not exactly truthful but adds urgency and will discourage others from keeping your dog as their own.)
Put fliers all over the place, every pole you can. Be sure to get strategic places such as near stop lights into and out of your neighborhood.
Go door-to-door and put fliers in the hands of neighbors in the immediate area where the dog was last seen.
Print up business cards with the dog’s picture and a phone number. Hand to every person you see. If you already have cards for your business, you can print address labels and stick them to the back of the cards.
Put fliers at local supermarkets and libraries.
If you can get fliers posted in a local school, there will be many more eyes looking.
Give posters and cards to people who travel your neighborhood: postal workers, bus drivers, notify the local police (not through 911)
Post a lost ad on as many internet sites that you can:
- craigslist.org
- Facebook/twitter etc- ask your friends to repost on their accounts as well
- Lost dog web sites: suffolkcountyunleashed.com this one is at least local to where i live.

Keep track of sightings on a map
If you have a website or social network, post updates of sightings
Send posters or fax all vets within 10 miles. You can get the listings from maps.google.com then type in your zip code and "veterinarian" it will generate a list of vets withing the map area. Zoom in or out to adjust.
Notify the nearest animal shelters- your town and the neighboring towns as well as the private ("no kill") shelters
If the dog is not originally yours, put up notices in its original neighborhood.
Dogs are most active in early mornings and late afternoons so be sure to actively search during these times.