A miniature dachshund named Valerie has been found alive after spending 529 days in the Australian wilderness. Valerie went missing in November 2023 while on a camping trip with her owners, Georgia Gardner and her boyfriend, Joshua Fishlock, on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of Australia. The couple had left Valerie in a playpen while they went fishing, only to return and find she was gone.
The rescue effort, led by Kangala Wildlife Rescue, involved over 1,000 hours of searching and covering more than 5,000 km (3,109 miles). Valerie’s survival in harsh conditions, including intense heat and avoiding venomous snakes, was made possible by a tireless search and innovative tactics. The team used a scent trail created by Ms. Gardner’s t-shirt to guide Valerie to a trap, which eventually led to her safe recovery.
After the initial search, local campers had spotted Valerie hiding under a car but couldn’t catch her. As months passed, sightings of a pink collar similar to Valerie’s surfaced, giving the team hope. The final rescue operation involved setting up a trap with food, Valerie’s toys, and Ms. Gardner’s clothes, while surveillance cameras helped monitor her movements. When Valerie was calm and positioned correctly in the trap, the team activated it and successfully captured her.
Valerie’s owners were overjoyed by her safe return. Ms. Gardner shared a heartfelt message on social media, encouraging other pet owners to never give up hope after losing a pet, expressing how “good things happen to good people.”
This incredible rescue serves as a reminder of the resilience of animals and the dedication of those who work tirelessly to reunite them with their owners.