A miniature Dachshund named Valerie has been missing for over a year on a remote island in Australia, but she has recently been spotted alive. Valerie disappeared in November 2023 after escaping from her pen at a beach on Kangaroo Island, located in South Australia. She ran off into the nearby bush at Stokes Bay, and despite her owners’ efforts to find her, they had to return home to New South Wales after five days of searching.
Valerie’s owner, Josh Fishlock, described the search as “like finding a needle in a haystack.” He and his partner, Georgia Gardner, were heartbroken over their lost pet. Georgia expressed disbelief that Valerie, who is not accustomed to the outdoors, could survive alone for so long.
More than 500 days after her disappearance, Valerie was spotted on surveillance cameras by the Kangala Wildlife Rescue team. She was still wearing her pink collar and appeared healthy. Reports of a Dachshund matching her description began coming in from locals about 15 kilometers away from where she went missing.
Despite multiple sightings and video evidence, capturing Valerie has proven difficult. The rescue team has narrowed down her location and is now feeding her while using cameras to monitor her movements. They are making a concerted effort to catch her, but she tends to run away at the sight of people or vehicles.
Kangala Wildlife Rescue has called on the public for help, asking anyone who sees Valerie to report her location. They are using various trapping methods to try to bring her home. The rescue team acknowledges that Valerie is a small dog in a vast area, making the task challenging.
Dachshunds, like Valerie, are known for their bravery and independence, traits that may help her survive in the wild. The rescue team is dedicated to finding her and promises to keep the community updated on their efforts.