Okay, your cat is missing. Naturally you are worried and want to find your pet as soon as you can. Keep in mind that cats do not usually leave home and most often a missing cat is found, but it is best to start your search as soon as you realize that your cat is not around.
Before you search the outside world make certain that your cat is not inside your home. Have you checked everywhere? The basement, loft space, that spare bedroom that never gets used, your shed and garage? How about closets? In the refrigerator, yes cats can become shut in refrigerators, you open the door to take something out and without you noticing your cat slips in. Check also your washing machine, dryer, anywhere at all that your cat could have slipped into.
Alright, you are certain that your cat is not on your property. Is your cat an "indoor" cat that has somehow got out? Then your pet is not likely to be far, sure she or he will be curious about all the new sights and smells and will likely take time to sample them.
On the other hand your pet could have been threatened and chased by a dog, another cat or some other animal. Search the area around your home. Look in neighbors sheds and garages, ask permission of course, and ask your neighbors to help you search.
Don't forget to look up! Cats that are being chased tend to bolt up trees. They are extremely good at climbing up, you know this from your cat climbing your drapes, but because of the way they are designed, they are not so good at climbing down.
So there is your missing cat high in the branches, the threat has gone but your cat can't climb down. Sure she may cry out, but maybe not. So look up trees just in case.
Look also in any small space that your cat could possibly squeeze into, and cats can squeeze into some very small spaces to get away from an attacker. Again don't assume that your cat will cry out, even if you are calling her name. She may be very frightened and confused and prefer to stay where she is safe if she thinks that the whole world is her enemy, so you have to look, using a flashlight will help.
If your cat is an unaltered tomcat then he could have roamed a long ways off in pursuit of doing what comes naturally. He won't come home until he has had his way, and sorry to say, as an un-neutered tom will think nothing of dashing across busy highways to get what he wants, there is the possibility he won't make it home. This is only one of the many good reasons to have your cat, male or female, neutered.
If you are satisfied that your missing cat is nowhere close to your home you will need to widen your search. Enlist help. Also ask people who are regularly in the area, mail carriers, people who walk their dog, moms taking kids to school, if they have seen your cat.
Cats are often more active at night so that may be a good time for a search even in the places you've searched in the day. But don't search alone at night.
Post flyers around the area that your pet was lost in, these can be very successful. Include a photograph of your missing cat and some information, but withhold some. Give your phone number but not your address. If you offer a reward do not state how much on the flyer. Don't forget to regularly check that the flyers are still in place.
Why should you withhold some information? Because unfortunately there are lowlife that will claim to have found your cat, when they have not, for a chance of the finders reward. Never hand over reward money before you have your pet back safe and sound.
Check with cat rescue centers and shelters. Don't wait to do this as many shelters are so overwhelmed with stray and feral cats that they can't keep them long. Your cat may have been wearing identification, but tags, and indeed the collar itself can come off. Don't just phone the shelters, visit them, your cat may be hard to identify from a description given over the phone.
Check with all local veterinarians too. It just might be that your missing cat has been injured and taken to a veterinarian's office. You will also need to contact the highway department or any other agency that deals with road kills. It would be better to know if the worst has happened.
Have you, or any of your neighbors, had anything delivered to, or collected from, the home recently? It is not unknown for cats to investigate delivery vehicles and get taken away. Check with the delivery company just to make sure.
When you have searched everywhere for your missing cat, search everywhere again. Remember that, although sadly some cats are lost forever, most often a missing cat is found. But you must not give up hope too soon and keep searching. Likely your cat will be back with you before you know it.
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