Imagine a tiny 8-pound dachshund braving the wilds of an island for over a year. That’s the remarkable story of Valerie, the miniature dachshund who disappeared during a camping trip on Kangaroo Island in November 2023. Despite exhaustive searches by her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, and the local community, Valerie remained elusive, leading her family to return to the mainland with heavy hearts.
Fast forward to late 2024, and whispers of a small dog sporting a pink collar began circulating among Kangaroo Island residents. Could it be Valerie? Indeed, sightings confirmed that this resilient little canine had not only survived but had adapted to the island’s rugged terrain. It’s believed she sustained herself by scavenging, possibly feeding on roadkill and finding water from natural sources. Her ability to endure such conditions has left many in awe, especially considering her pampered past. Gardner expressed astonishment, noting that Valerie was far from an “outside, rough-and-tough dog.”
Pet detectives from the Kangala Wildlife Rescue Group have been leading the search for Valerie, who vanished from her owners while they were holidaying on the island. A new video captured on March 28, 2025, shows the dog appearing to be in good shape. “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 skeptical 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 favor that we're going to get her home,” Georgia added. “There’s not going to be that many sausage dogs in that area.”
Valerie escaped from her playpen near Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island on November 13, 2023. After her disappearance, Georgia and Josh searched for five days with the help of locals, but they eventually had to return home to New South Wales. “When we left the island without her, I cried for days,” Gardner said. Now, more than a year after Valerie’s disappearance, hope has sprung. “Based on firsthand accounts and video evidence, we now know that Valerie is alive,” Kangala Wildlife Rescue said in a statement on social media last week. She was spotted about 10 miles from where she disappeared, in Stokes Bay, and was identified in part by her pink collar.
Efforts are now underway to rescue the dachshund, but that has proved difficult. Valerie runs at the first sign of humans or vehicles, making her “impossible to catch,” according to the wildlife rescue. Jared Karran from Kangala Wildlife Rescue told The Advertiser, “We’ve narrowed down a huge search area to a smaller area, and now down to one point. We have set up surveillance and the feed areas, giving her delicious roast chicken and tuna.”
Despite numerous sightings, capturing Valerie has proven challenging. The organization emphasized the difficulty, stating, “She runs at the first sign of humans or vehicles, and despite the best efforts of dedicated island locals, Valerie has been impossible to catch.” Nonetheless, the mission persists, fueled by the hope of reuniting Valerie with her devoted owners. “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,” Josh said.
Valerie’s saga is more than just a missing dog story; it’s a testament to the incredible resilience and survival instincts of our canine companions. Her journey underscores the unbreakable bond between pets and their owners and serves as a beacon of hope for those who have lost beloved animals. As efforts continue to safely capture Valerie, her tale captivates and inspires, reminding us of the enduring spirit of our four-legged friends.
Tracey Taylor, a qualified dog trainer and PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, noted that Valerie had most likely survived by scavenging over the last 500 days. “Dogs are very good scavengers, but not as good hunters, so I would expect that Valerie is moving from farm to farm scavenging food where she can,” she explained. “She is a small dog so wouldn’t need a lot of food each day to survive.”
As of March 27, 2025, the search for Valerie continues, with the Kangala Wildlife Rescue team hopeful that they will soon be able to bring her home. “Fingers crossed she will fall into the trap,” Karran said, expressing optimism about the rescue efforts. “Hopefully, it ends with a fairy tale.”
For those interested in following Valerie’s story or contributing to the search efforts, updates are available through Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s social media channels. The plight of lost Valerie has become a global news story, with Karran reporting phone calls from London to Washington. “It’s quite incredible this story has covered that much interest,” he said. As the search intensifies, the community remains united in their efforts to bring this beloved dachshund back to her family.
