What to do if your animal is
LOST OR STOLEN:

Go to the local shelter and adjoining cities shelters at least every other day.
Put "bright" colored flyers with BIG BOLD print in visible places in area of missing pet.
Contact all local Pet Supply stores, Vets and Groomers, Kennels and put up flyers.
Contact local rescue groups.
Put ad in local newspaper and ask them to check the "found" listing for similar animal.
Talk to your mail carrier
Never believe anyone who says your pet is out of state or has been injured and will return it if you send money. Contact local police if this happens to you, this is a con.
Always have pet tags with your phone and/or tattooing through National Dog Registry and/or a micro chip. OR all three!

What to do if you have found an animal:

Call local shelters and report found animal.
Put up "found flyers" in area where animal was found, local Pet Supply, Vets, Groomers and Boarding.
Put ad in local newspaper (usually free). do not totally describe animal. Omit something only owner would know. When someone calls, let them describe the animal to you rather than you describing to them. This is to prevent someone from easily obtaining animals for experiments, etc. If they want to see the animal, ask them to bring a picture.
Talk to your neighbors especially the kids and the mail carrier.
If you are unable to find the home of the lost pet, contact a local (no kill) rescue group to help in the placement of this animal in a new home.