A missing dachshund, Valerie, has finally been found. However, her owners and experts are impressed that the sheltered, little dog has survived for so long.

Sausage Dog Kangaroo Island

Valerie is a miniature dachshund who went missing when her owners visited Kangaroo Island in South Australia in November 2023. According to the couple, Valerie escaped from her pen while they were in Stokes Bay. Reportedly, the couple continued to search for her for weeks afterwards but soon declared her missing. However, a year later, Valerie has been spotted.

Valerie Missing Dog

Valerie belongs to Australian couple Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, who learned about Valerie’s whereabouts through social media.

“Based on first-hand accounts and video evidence, we now know that Valerie is alive,” Kangala Wildlife Rescue wrote on Facebook.

Georgia has stated that she and her partner were both thrilled and surprised by the news.

“She never left my side. She was not a very outside, rough-and-tough dog. To think that she even went one night outside in the rain, oh my gosh. To think that she’s gone a year and a half is incredible,” said Georgia.

Dachshund Valerie Kangaroo Island Rescue

Wildlife rescuers believe that Valerie has survived on a diet of dam water and native animals. However, some experts are surprised that the small, timid dog has survived both predators and the harsh Australian environment. Nevertheless, others have pointed to her natural resourcefulness as the key to her survival.

“Dogs are the greatest opportunists in the animal kingdom: that’s one of their core skills,” said veterinary professor Paul McGreevy.

Dachshund Survives On Island

Attempts to rescue Valerie are underway: however, she is hard to catch. For instance, early rescue attempts would involve luring the little dog into a cage using food. However, Valerie would only nibble at the food; therefore, she would not trigger the trap.

Currently, rescuers are using comforting objects such as toys and familiar scents to lure her in. This new trap is called “little room,” and Valerie has started to visit it frequently. However, rescuers have not been able to close the door during her previous visits. Nevertheless, they have now installed a remote-controlled trap system that should work when she returns.

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