After 529 long days braving the wilderness of Kangaroo Island, an eight-pound dachshund named Valerie is finally back where she belongs—in the arms of her overjoyed humans.
Valerie, a spunky wiener dog from Albury in New South Wales, vanished in November 2023 during a family vacation to Kangaroo Island, a rugged and remote wildlife haven off the coast of South Australia. Her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, were visiting the island when Valerie slipped out of her pen and disappeared into the bush.
What followed was a search that spanned nearly a year and a half, rallied an entire online community, and proved just how powerful hope—and teamwork—can be.
A Lost Pup Sparks a Community Effort
A few months after her disappearance, Valerie’s story reached the hearts of animal lovers thanks to a post from Kangala Wildlife Rescue. The rescue organization shared the dachshund’s tale online, and it quickly went viral, sparking a volunteer-led search effort across the island. Hikers, locals, and wildlife rescuers all kept their eyes peeled for signs of the little dog with a big will to survive.
Sightings trickled in over the months, each one renewing hope. But Kangaroo Island isn’t exactly a backyard—it’s covered in thick bushland, steep cliffs, and is home to plenty of wild animals. It was never a sure thing that Valerie would make it through. Still, the search never stopped.
529 Days Later: The Rescue
Finally, after nearly a year and a half on the run, Valerie was spotted again near Stokes Bay—this time with enough accuracy and preparation to make a rescue possible.
Kangala Wildlife Rescue shared a video of the capture, expressing their excitement that not only had Valerie survived, but she was also in remarkably good condition. The dachshund had even gained about four pounds during her time in the wild, with her owners noting she almost didn’t fit into her harness. An Australian veterinarian examined Valerie and declared her to be in “perfect health.”
“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe and able to begin her transition back to her loving parents, Josh and Georgia,” Kangala Wildlife Rescue wrote in a post following the successful rescue.
A Tiny Survivor With a Big Heart
Valerie’s journey is nothing short of incredible. Surviving in the wild for over 17 months is a challenge for any dog, let alone a dachshund built more for burrowing into blankets than braving the elements. Yet somehow, she made it. Whether it was her instincts, a bit of good luck, or the kindness of strangers who left out food and watched for her, Valerie proved that even the smallest adventurers can have the biggest hearts.
Now back in the comfort of home, Valerie has some healing to do—but she’s finally where she belongs.
