Sorry that several of you are missing your pets. It would be good for you to take time to read the advice and tips provided by Missing Pet Partnership -- I've been following their guidance for 8 years in helping others for free to successfully reunite with their pets here in central Austin.
You might be surprised that cats are usually hiding within a 3-5 house radius esp if they are indoor only felines.
Dogs are on the move, trying to sniff all the smells available -- can be found up to 100 miles away.
Of course both cats & dogs can be picked up by a Good Samaritan or hitch a ride in someone's vehicle or trailer.
These folks know what to do when a pet goes missing and how to conduct your search acc to pet type and personality or as MPP calls it: species & behaviour specific. MPP's insight is concise, clear and very conducive to successfully reuniting with pets.
If you currently have lost pets, check it out now. And just in case for the future, keep these links.
CATS
http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-lostcat.php
http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-probability.php
http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-displacedcat.php
http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-lostcattips.php
DOGS
http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-lostdog.php
Let me know if you've any questions,
Dolly - Getting them home, 4 paws at a time