Mini dachshund found alive 16 months after disappearance on Kangaroo Island

In South Australia, a miniature dachshund named Valerie went missing in November 2023 during a visit to Kangaroo Island with her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock. After escaping from her pen at a campsite in Stokes Bay, the couple conducted an extensive search with local help, but they were unable to locate Valerie. The distress of her disappearance was palpable, as Georgia expressed her despair, crying for days after leaving the island without her beloved pet. As months passed, there were sporadic sightings reported on social media, leading to the involvement of Kangala Wildlife Rescue. This group worked diligently to confirm Valerie’s survival, which they ultimately did through video evidence and accounts from island residents. Despite the diligent efforts to retrieve her, Valerie proved to be elusive, running away at the hint of humans or vehicles, which complicated the rescue attempts and sparked hope among her owners. Rescue efforts included setting up surveillance and trapping methods in areas where she was last spotted, approximately 9 miles from where she initially vanished. Experts were amazed at the miniature dachshund's ability to thrive in the wilderness, speculating that she may have relied on opportunistic feeding, possibly scavenging roadkill or receiving food from sympathetic locals, considering her prior pampered lifestyle. The Kangala team has reached out to the public for assistance in reporting sightings, emphasizing the urgency of her return home. They advised that establishing a calming environment by using familiar scents, like the owners' unwashed clothing, could help coax Valerie out of hiding where she might be most comfortable. As the search continues, the owners are exploring options to travel back to the island to bring Valerie home, fueled by hope ignited by recent confirmations of her survival.