A remarkable reunion took place on Kangaroo Island in early May 2025 when volunteers from Kangala Wildlife Rescue captured a miniature dachshund named Valerie—529 days after she escaped her family’s campsite in mid-November 2023. Using strips of her owner’s well-worn T-shirt to lay a scent trail, rescuers gently coaxed the emaciated dog into a humane live trap set near a bushland creek.
At the time of her rescue, Valerie weighed just two kilograms—less than half the typical weight for an adult dachshund—yet veterinarians declared her fit and stable, noting no serious injuries. “She displayed classic survival behaviors: extreme caution around people and vehicles, foraging for berries, and seeking shelter under shrubs,” explained Kangala director Lisa Karran.
Owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, who had tirelessly searched for Valerie since her disappearance, described the moment of reunion as “a dream come true.” Animal welfare experts say Valerie’s story underscores the lifesaving value of microchipping and up-to-date identification tags for pets, especially in remote and rugged environments.
o4-mini
