Miniature dachshund reunited with owners after 18 months lost in the wild

In Australia, a miniature dachshund named Valerie was found after being lost for 529 days on Kangaroo Island. Valerie had escaped from the pen while her owners, Georgia Gardner and her partner Josh Fishlock, were fishing during a holiday. Despite thorough searches, the couple had to leave the island without her. Rescuers from Kangala Wildlife Rescue located Valerie in March 2025 and noted her remarkable condition after surviving in the wild, likely by eating road kill and animal droppings. Volunteers spent countless hours searching for her, ultimately leading to her capture on April 25. Valerie weighed only 4 kilograms (9 pounds) when lost but had gained weight to 6.8 kilograms (15 pounds) when found. The rescue's director, Jared Karran, expressed disbelief at how a small dog could survive independently for so long. Upon reunion with her owner, Valerie immediately approached and displayed excitement, prompting emotional reactions from Gardner. She described the moment with joy and tears, reflecting the bond they shared. Now that Valerie is back, her owners are taking steps to help her adjust back to home life. Gardner is working with a dog behaviorist to address Valerie's transition from wild living to domestic life. To maintain Valerie's health, she will be placed on a raw food diet. In Albury, New South Wales, Valerie will also reunite with family pets, including a rescue cat named Lucy and a cattle dog named Mason, alongside a new dachshund named Dorothy. This extraordinary reunion after such a long duration emphasizes the resilience of pets and the dedication of rescue volunteers committed to reuniting lost animals with their families. The successful rescue operation has garnered attention and admiration for the efforts of the Kangala Wildlife Rescue team, showcasing the tireless dedication required in finding lost pets in challenging environments.