Almost 500 days after a dachshund named Valerie went missing on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, a video has given her heartbroken owners new hope.
Pet detectives from the Kangala Wildlife Rescue Group have been leading the search for the pet who vanished from owners Josh and Georgia while they were holidaying on Kangaroo Island in 2023.
“To see that video of her moving around and jumping around and she looks very light, quite well, it was pretty emotional,” Georgia said.
The couple had been a little sceptical about recent sightings and grainy images but the new video has filled them with excitement.
“It’s just become so real that the odds are in our favour that we’re going to get her home,” Georgia said.
“There’s not going to be that many sausage dogs in that area.”
Captured on the wildlife group’s cameras yesterday morning, the dog appears to be in good shape.
“We just couldn’t believe it because six months ago we wouldn’t have expected to be in this situation today,” Josh said.
“The plan is to get her really comfortable with the food they are putting out, get her comfortable with that area, hope that she keeps coming back.”
The owners have thanked the rescue group for continuing the painstaking and expensive search.
“Hopefully we will be heading back to the island to pick her up and be reunited with her.”
