Valerie, the miniature dachshund that went missing on Kangaroo Island 529 days ago, has finally been found.
The sausage dog went missing from its owners Josh and Georgia on Kangaroo Island in 2023, and was caught in a trap last night by volunteers from Kangaroo Island Wildlife Rescue.
On April 15, Valerie was recorded on video entering a carefully prepared cage, filled with Valerie’s toys and clothing from her owners.
Unfortunately, the cage’s trap door couldn’t be closed remotely, so the dog was able to walk out.
Last night, the rescue group posted the news to Facebook that Valerie had finally been secured.
“After weeks of tireless efforts by Kangala Wildlife Rescue volunteers and partner organisations Valerie has been safely rescued and is fit and well,” the group said.
“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe and able to begin her transition back to her loving parents, Josh and Georgia.
“This rescue was a true testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team, the unwavering support of the community, and the power of collaboration.
“There were many challenging moments over the past month, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing Valerie home.”
The search for Valerie has garnered international attention, with her story featured in major newspapers and social media users commenting from New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the United States.
“The Kangala team are currently taking a short pause to process this amazing result and gather ourselves after the intense rescue efforts,” the group said.
