As a remarkable saga continues, a miniature dachshund named Valerie, who escaped on Kangaroo Island over a year ago, has been spotted alive, though efforts to recapture her have been met with challenges.
Dachshund Survives Over a Year on Kangaroo Island, Efforts Continue to Recapture Her
Dachshund Survives Over a Year on Kangaroo Island, Efforts Continue to Recapture Her
A missing dachshund on Kangaroo Island remains elusive but alive, sparking new hopes for her rescue.
In November 2023, while vacationing on Kangaroo Island near Adelaide, Valerie's owners lost track of their beloved pet when she broke free from her pen. Despite their frantic five-day search alongside local residents, they ultimately had to return home to New South Wales, leaving Valerie to navigate the wilderness alone.
After more than a year apart, hope surfaced when the Kangala Wildlife Rescue reported last week that Valerie had been sighted approximately 10 miles from her original location, wearing her distinctive pink collar.
“Based on firsthand accounts and video evidence, we now know that Valerie is alive,” the organization announced via social media, igniting excitement for her potential return.
However, finding and recapturing her has proven challenging. According to the wildlife rescue group, Valerie has been extremely skittish, fleeing at even the slightest hint of human presence or vehicles. Despite the best efforts of local volunteers, her capture remains elusive.
“We are utilizing surveillance along with various trapping and luring methods to draw her back in,” the statement revealed. “It’s a tiny dog in a vast area, so we need public assistance to report sightings and, quite frankly, a generous dose of luck.”
In a recent video update, Jared from the Kangala team expressed cautious optimism, stating, “We’ve seen her and managed to narrow down the search area to one specific point,” which had been fueled by multiple reported sightings.
Valerie’s owner, Josh Fishlock, shared his surprise as the search progressed. “We were initially skeptical but kept receiving more sightings,” he recounted during an appearance on the "Today" show. Meanwhile, Georgia Gardner, Valerie’s co-owner, reflected on her tiny companion's resilience, marveling at her survival skills.
Despite not being the most rugged of dogs, the dachshund breed is surprisingly tenacious. According to the American Kennel Club, they can be independent hunters with a brave spirit, which may help explain Valerie’s remarkable endurance.
The Kangala Wildlife Rescue concluded with hopes of providing a heartwarming update soon, emphasizing the community's support and the enduring spirit of a beloved pet lost then found.
After more than a year apart, hope surfaced when the Kangala Wildlife Rescue reported last week that Valerie had been sighted approximately 10 miles from her original location, wearing her distinctive pink collar.
“Based on firsthand accounts and video evidence, we now know that Valerie is alive,” the organization announced via social media, igniting excitement for her potential return.
However, finding and recapturing her has proven challenging. According to the wildlife rescue group, Valerie has been extremely skittish, fleeing at even the slightest hint of human presence or vehicles. Despite the best efforts of local volunteers, her capture remains elusive.
“We are utilizing surveillance along with various trapping and luring methods to draw her back in,” the statement revealed. “It’s a tiny dog in a vast area, so we need public assistance to report sightings and, quite frankly, a generous dose of luck.”
In a recent video update, Jared from the Kangala team expressed cautious optimism, stating, “We’ve seen her and managed to narrow down the search area to one specific point,” which had been fueled by multiple reported sightings.
Valerie’s owner, Josh Fishlock, shared his surprise as the search progressed. “We were initially skeptical but kept receiving more sightings,” he recounted during an appearance on the "Today" show. Meanwhile, Georgia Gardner, Valerie’s co-owner, reflected on her tiny companion's resilience, marveling at her survival skills.
Despite not being the most rugged of dogs, the dachshund breed is surprisingly tenacious. According to the American Kennel Club, they can be independent hunters with a brave spirit, which may help explain Valerie’s remarkable endurance.
The Kangala Wildlife Rescue concluded with hopes of providing a heartwarming update soon, emphasizing the community's support and the enduring spirit of a beloved pet lost then found.
