Famous dachshund Valerie missing on Kangaroo Island returns to grateful owners after 529 day search

A famous dachshund missing for more than a year on Kangaroo Island has safely been returned to its grateful owners, after a near 18-month search.

Valerie the dachshund, the fugitive dog who survived 529 days alone in the Australian wilderness, has finally been returned to her grateful owners.

The huge effort by volunteers to find the adventurous dachshund began in November 2023, when Valerie ran away from her campsite on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia.

But after a colossal search by volunteers and some help from CCTV footage, the dachshund was found.

Her incredible story, which made headlines around the world, including in the New York Times, ended when the Kangala Wildlife Rescue confirmed they had finally caught Valerie.

“Kangala Wildlife Rescue is overjoyed to announce the successful rescue of Valerie, the miniature dachshund who went missing on Kangaroo Island 529 days ago,” the rescue team wrote on Facebook.

Valerie the missing sausage dog on Kangaroo Island, with owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock. Picture: Supplied

“After weeks of tireless efforts by Kangala Wildlife Rescue volunteers and partner organisations, Valerie has been safely rescued and is fit and well.”

The black and tan miniature dachshund vanished in November 2023 after escaping from its pen as it tried to follow its owners to the nearby Stokes Bay Beach.

The couple extended their stay to look for the dachshund before eventually returning home.

Kangala Wildlife Rescue posted CCTV confirming Valerie had been found alive and well. Picture: Kangala Wildlife Rescue / Facebook

Previous comments by the dogs owners in March to the Advertiser said they struggled after they returned to their campsite and saw their beloved dog had escaped.

“I remember on the first day I was just covered in tears. We barely ate anything,” Ms Gardner said.

“My whole world just crumbled.”

“When we left the island without her, I cried for days.”

Valerie the missing sausage dog on Kangaroo Island has been safely returned to her family. Picture: Supplied

The little sausage dog was not seen for more than a year, with the owners assuming the worst, before Valerie was spotted on camera alive and well.

According to Kangala Wildlife Rescue, the group of volunteers travelled over 5000km and spent over 1000 volunteering hours to finally track down Valerie.

The volunteers used the deployment and monitoring of numerous cameras and traps and the use of various forms of technology to successfully secure Valerie while ensuring her physical and psychological welfare.

The group of volunteers came up with innovative, easy to try and tempt Valerie back into her pen, including setting up a cage laden with her favourite treats, toys and even her bed from home.

Kangala Wildlife Rescue announced on Friday night that they had finally got their hands on the hardy hound after near misses in the days prior.

“Valerie has kept to her schedule, after being away for five nights, on Tuesday night the weather was horrible,” the organisation wrote.

“It was windy, rainy and Valerie came through, made a fleeting appearance, dashing into view but she was on such high alert, really spooky and she just kept ongoing.

“Tonight the weather’s so much better, the wind has dropped out and it’s really still so we’re expecting to see a much calmer Valerie come back to the trap site either tonight or over the next couple of nights.”

The rescue comes after the couple delayed the end of their holidays to frantically search for Valerie, only to come up empty-handed.

Originally published as Famous dachshund Valerie missing on Kangaroo Island returns to grateful owners after 529 day search