New hope beloved dog Valerie might be rescued after 500 days lost on Kangaroo Island

A sausage dog who captured worldwide attention has been spotted after more than 500 days in the wilds of a remote island.

The owners of a beloved dachshund missing for more than 500 days in the wilds of Kangaroo Island in South Australia have been given new hope, as rescuers work “around the clock” to bring the adventurous pooch back home.

Valerie, a black and tan dachshund, vanished in November 2023 after escaping from its pen as it attempted to follow its owners to Stokes Bay Beach, a well-known swim spot on the island voted Australia’s best beach that year.

The 4kg dog was not seen for more than a year, until appearing alive on-camera at the Kangala Wildlife Rescue at Nepean Bay in video released on Monday, as rescuers attempt to lure the world-weary pooch to safety.

Valerie vanished in November 2023 after escaping from its pen as it attempted to follow its owners to Stokes Bay Beach. Picture: Facebook

“The team has been working tirelessly around the clock for weeks now on this mission, with the main focus being Valerie’s safety and her mental health,” Kangala Wildlife Rescue staff said in a Facebook post on Monday.

“Valerie is now attending at our trap site on a regular basis. Even is that means she disappears for five or six days, we now know she will return.

“She has become confident entering the large dog trap which has been set up like her own little room with her toys and bed from home, mums clothing, hidden food, and challenges to keep her entertained.

“We have seen an amazing change in Valerie’s demeanour recently as she begins to remember all those familiar smells, tastes and sounds.”

The task of securing Valerie’s final return home has proven challenging, with staff stating that due to an abundance of wildlife and the dog’s changing habits, it had been impossible to trap her by normal methods.

“While Valerie has been gaining confidence coming in to the trap we have been working hard to manufacture a remote trigger system for the trap using the mobile phone network,” staff wrote on Facebook.

“We are happy to report that after a few tests and modifications it looks like we have a system that will work. The final part is due to arrive this week so we can install it.”

Kangala Wildlife Rescue said staff doing everything they could to ensure Valerie’s transition was as stress free as possible, and thanked volunteers who had worked long hours with little sleep to help bring her home.

Originally published as New hope beloved dog Valerie might be rescued after 500 days lost on Kangaroo Island