Learning stuff on Facebook — pregnancies, engagements, wedding days, births, deaths, and breakups — is old hat by now. This week, I sadly learned of a missing pet: Everest, my friend’s dog, pictured above. I’ve been thinking about him all day and, by extension, what I would do if Gida went missing. Since “aneurysm-inducing panic,” came to mind first, I thought we’d all do well with a real plan of attack, instead.

There are some tried-and-true tactics: canvassing the neighborhood, calling the shelters, and begging friends and acquaintances to keep an eye out. But the Internet tells me there is much, much more you can do. Nose to the Ground, a nonprofit support group of hound enthusiasts, has a downloadable checklist on its website. So does People United for Pets. These tips, culled from both sites, are at the top of my personal list:

Before your pet goes missing.

• Get all information (name, size, breed, collar color) ready for printing/sending, along with a high-quality photo.

In the search:

• Social media is your best friend. Blast your personal Facebook, Twitter, and email accounts with your pet’s information and most recent whereabouts.
• Use the official channels: call your microchip company, animal control, and all local shelters.
• If you have pals helping you out, I’d delegate tasks. Some are on foot, some are manning the phone, some are creating the fliers, and all are, hopefully, helping you stay sane.
• Post neon-colored fliers that people’s attention. Keep track of where you post them.
• Update your voicemail asking callers to leave the information you need, such as street number or intersection, if you don’t pick up.
• Per Nose to the Ground: “Place a blanket that your dog has used along with a dish of canned food or tasty human food where he was last seen.” I like this one a lot in theory, though I wonder if your efforts would be thwarted by other animals.
• Don’t chase the pet if you find it, because it might cause him or her to feel threatened and bolt. “Crouch low and move slowly, if at all,” according to People United for Pets.

Visit the links above for additional, detailed tips.

As of Wednesday, Everest was still missing. But, some eagle eyes spotted a dog matching his description wandering the area. Please let me know if anyone finds this friendly, eight-year-old, neutered Shepherd mix in the Freeport/Yarmouth area of Portland, Maine.