Use fluorescent paper or poster Board and make each sign at least 12" X 16" - remember, you want everyone who drives by to notice your sign, so the bigger and brighter, the better. Print " LOST CAT (or LOST DOG )" in huge letters at the bottom. Print REWARD in huge letters at the top, but do not specify the amount.

Always use the best photo you have of your pet, preferably a color photo showing the entire pet, and the larger the photo, the better. Use actual photos if you can - if not, color copies are the next best thing, and any Kinkos can make them for you. Black & White copies of color photos are not recommended because they generally not clear enough to make the pet recognizable to strangers who may have seen him/her.

Include a paragraph below the photo, in smaller text, with your pet's name, coloring, hair length, and any distinctive markings, whether it was wearing a collar, and the location and date the pet was last seen. Include a phone number where you can be reached in big, bold letters, and encourage calls anytime day or night. If your pet is timid, add that your pet may run if approached, and ask folks to please call if they see him/her, whether they can get close to the pet or not.

It is also important to withhold at least one identifying mark or characteristic of your lost pet, in case you need it later to verify that a person has actually found your pet and is not trying to scam you - it's unfortunate, but it happens.

For safety considerations, DO NOT include your name, address, or a specific reward amount. The type of people that you hope will call are animal lovers who don't care about the money - not folks looking to make buck.

Post your signs on telephone or street light poles at busy street corners, and at a level as far above your head as possible for maximum visibility (see below). Be sure to use wide clear tape - basic packing tape works very well. Tape all four sides of the poster to be sure no one can get a hand or finger up under the poster and rip it down. Use clear plastic wrap or sheets of clear plastic from the office supply to protect them in climates where it rains often. Taking these extra measures when posting your flyer will give your poster a much better chance of remaining in its spot for an adequate length of time. Don't forget to examine your posted flyers frequently and replace the ones that are missing or damaged.

"Florescent poster boards will catch the attention of everyone passing through the area and generate more leads!"

And finally, you'll want to make up some smaller brightly colored flyers with the same information and with good photos to post at local veterinary offices, pet stores, pet groomers, laundromats, barber & beauty shops, grocery stores, churches, convenience stores, pizza parlors, and community bulletin boards.

Don't forget to make a few black and white copies of the flyers to hand out and leave at each house nearby. And make sure your local postman has one, too!

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