Losing a pet is every pet owner's nightmare. Most pets are found within the first few days of going missing. But don't give up. Some pets have been found months and even years later. Here are some tips to help you get your friend home safely.

• Maintain up-to-date information, even if they usually stay indoors. Animals can escape at any time. Many people also microchip their pets. Most shelters now scan for chips, and many people who find a stray animal will take them to a vet to see if they are microchipped. It's usually the quickest way to get a pet back if their collar is lost or removed.

• Spay or neuter your pets. They will be less likely to roam. Also don't let pets run the neighborhood. It's dangerous to them and unfair to your neighbors.

• Check with every county animal shelter within a 20 mile range. Dogs can travel miles, especially running breeds like huskies and hunting dogs. They also can be picked up and dumped somewhere else. Make up a flyer containing your pet's photo, name, weight, color, any identifying marks and the location and date lost. Make sure to include your contact information. Leave it with the shelter, but check back frequently, in person if possible.

• Put up signs in your neighborhood with your pet's photo. If you offer a reward, be wary of scammers. Get your pet back before paying any money.

• Walk the area where your pet was lost. Call out for your pet and hand out fliers to people who live or work in the area so they can look, too. Carry a flashlight for checking in dark areas. If your pet has a favorite toy that makes a sound, bring it and squeak or rattle it.

• Lure your pet home. Place your pet's bed — or a box with an item of your unwashed clothing — outside near where they disappeared. Sometimes pets will return to a familiar scent. Leaving their favorite food out also can bring them home.

• E-mail the lost pet flier to all your friends. Ask them to e-mail it to all their friends. Soon, thousands of people could know your pet is lost.

• Distribute the fliers to the postal drivers. Ask them to keep an eye out. Also give it to any delivery workers in the area, like Federal Express, UPS or pizza drivers. Ask stores if you can post the flyer in their window. Take it to local veterinary offices and ask to post it and ask them to be on the lookout for your pet.

• Call local rescue groups. Focus on groups that specialize in your breed if your pet is a purebred. Let them know your pet is missing and you're looking for it.

• Buy an ad in the local newspaper. Also check the found ads daily.

• Post your lost pet at www.pets911.org.

• Find out who retrieves dead animals in your county. While it's sad, many stray animals are killed. Send your flier to the department that picks up road kill so they can notify you if they find your pet. At least you'll know what happened to it.

• Don't give up.