"Giving them hope -- that is the key:" How Lost Dogs of Wisconsin helps to bring missing dogs home

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A pet is part of the family. As you can probably imagine, if they run away or get lost somehow, it can be scary and stressful. The good news: There's an organization that wants to help -- but they couldn't do it without you!

One-year-old "Sadie" has a survival story to tell. The Bernese Mountain Dog can't share it herself.

After a dozen days on her own, she needed more than a drink of water, and her owner, David Baron needed more than a little luck to find her.

"I never thought I would ever see her again," Baron said.

Baron got assistance from a network of volunteers.

Kathy Pobloskie is the director of Lost Dogs of Wisconsin. She's one of about 75 workers, and says since the organization started in 2010, the non-profit has helped to reunite about 5,000 dogs with their owners.

Sadie went missing after she was dropped off at a dog sitter's home.

Pobloskie says volunteers considered the location, and the breed's tendencies to develop a behavioral profile -- much like law enforcement officials might do in a criminal investigation.

"Dogs like that will use train tracks or cycling paths," Pobloskie said.

"Everywhere she was located was either real close to riverbanks or abandoned railroad tracks," Baron said.

"Many people think their dog is eaten by a coyote or picked up by a hawk and that is such a small, small percentage," Pobloskie said.

"I honestly thought that she was going to get hit by a car," Baron said.

"If we can keep the owners inspired by giving them hope -- that is the key," Pobloskie said.

Lost Dogs of Wisconsin workers use social media to spread the word about missing dogs -- and to track them.

FOX6's Jeremy Ross posted Sadie's information from the Lost Dogs of Wisconsin website on his social media pages. Someone saw her, noticed the posts, and took action.

"I got an email saying he saw my dog," Baron said.

Baron got a location -- and recorded what he found.

But before you call Sadie an unusually lucky dog, know reunions like this happen every day -- across the state of Wisconsin.

Pobloskie estimates about half of their success stories are aided by social media.

Sadie was found to be dehydrated. She had lost about five pounds, and needed ticks removed when she was found.

However, she's back to full health, thanks in part to social networks and a network of volunteers.

"Every time I see a lost dog, I share it, because frankly -- that's how I got my dog back," Baron said.

On average, Lost Dogs of Wisconsin helps to reunite more than 100 people a month with their missing dog.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Lost Dogs of Wisconsin.

CLICK HERE to "Like" Lost Dogs of Wisconsin on Facebook -- to be alerted to missing dogs in your area.