Sausage dog survives 529 days in island wilderness | Australian Story

Key Concepts

• Dachshund (Sausage Dog/Dash-hound): A small, long-bodied, short-legged breed of dog, known for its hunting instincts.
• Kangaroo Island (KI): A rugged island off South Australia, known for its wildlife and challenging terrain.
• Kangala Wildlife Rescue: A local animal rescue organization on Kangaroo Island, instrumental in Valerie's capture.
• Remote-Controlled Trap: A specialized cage designed to capture an animal from a distance, activated via mobile phone, using a repurposed car electric window motor.
• Scent Lure: Using items with the owner's scent (e.g., sweaty clothing) to attract a lost pet to a specific location.
• Fight or Flight Response: A physiological reaction to perceived threat, which rescue efforts aimed to mitigate in Valerie to encourage her to enter the trap.
• Psychological Rehabilitation: The process of helping a wild or traumatized animal adjust to a domesticated environment.

The Disappearance of Valerie

The story begins with the disappearance of Valerie, a miniature Dachshund belonging to Georgia and Josh, during a family holiday to Kangaroo Island in November 2023. While her owners went fishing, leaving Valerie in a pen at their campsite in Stokes Bay, she scratched her way out. A concerned camper, attempting to catch her to prevent her from being run over, inadvertently chased her 500 meters up a hill and onto a property, where she was last seen. Georgia and Josh, distraught, searched for about an hour and a half before meeting Joe, a property manager, who offered assistance. They initially believed she might survive "maybe a night or two."

Initial Search and Community Involvement

The owners quickly posted about Valerie's disappearance on the Kangaroo Island Community Facebook page. Kangala Wildlife Rescue became involved within "2 or 3 days," with Jared expressing concern that it wouldn't be a simple lost dog case, especially given the presence of eagles. Georgia and Josh spent five days searching, walking "at least 15, 20 K's a day" across Joe's "200 acres" of "thick, prickly scrub" that backed onto a national park. Before leaving the island, they left Josh's "undies" near Valerie's last known location, hoping their scent would attract her. Despite their efforts, they had to return home, with Josh vowing to return when she was found, a prospect Joe doubted.

Local nurse and island resident, Sharon, took up the search, driving and walking with her own dogs near McBrides Road, a "fair way up from Stokes Bay," after hearing of a sighting. The harsh Kangaroo Island winters led many, including the owners, to believe Valerie wouldn't survive, going through "all the five stages of grief." They eventually got another dog, Dorothy, to help with the grieving process.

The Long Wait and Renewed Hope

Valerie was missing for approximately 12 months when Georgia and Josh moved from Broken Hill to Albury. Georgia refused to part with Valerie's belongings, holding onto hope. On the one-year anniversary of her disappearance, they received a call from a lady who claimed to have seen Valerie "three times across the year," describing her as "glossy" and "running, running," almost "mocking" them. These sightings, however, were kept "very low key" by the locals to avoid a chaotic public search.

The turning point came around 460 days into her disappearance (early 2025), when Rob, a friend, spotted Valerie while fencing. He noticed cattle staring towards a dam, then saw "something black shot up over the other side and took off." He managed to take two photos, providing the first concrete proof that Valerie was still alive. This photograph, appearing after "500 days," reignited public interest and led to an official rescue mission.

The Official Rescue Mission by Kangala Wildlife Rescue

With photographic evidence, Kangala Wildlife Rescue, led by Jared and Lisa, launched an "official rescue mission for Valerie." Lisa, an experienced animal rescuer, had previously cared for kangaroos during the 2019-2020 "black summer bushfires." The mission's initial goal was "to find location, attract her there and hopefully catch her," which "sounded simple."

The story quickly gained national and international attention, with calls from "the Advertiser" (local Adelaide newspaper), "Channel Seven news," and even "the New York Times." The Mayor of Kangaroo Island, a "lifelong island resident," became "sick of phone calls" about Valerie.

Challenges and Innovative Rescue Techniques

The rescue team, guided by Ivan who identified a "creek line, this valley line" as Valerie's likely path, set up a trap in an opening. They deployed six cameras on posts, one inside the cage recording "24 seven," and two trail cams taking "five second videos" to monitor activity. Valerie, having become a "wild dog," was "always so alert," making her difficult to catch. The team focused on a "psychological side of things," aiming to get her comfortable enough to enter the trap, switching off her "fight or flight" response. They furnished the cage with "comforts of home" like toys, teddies, and blankets.

Georgia contributed to the effort by sending a "sweaty" shirt with her scent, which the team rubbed on the cage to "trigger her brain." A significant breakthrough occurred when Lisa sent a video of Valerie entering the trap, grabbing a toy, shaking it, and sitting down, indicating she remembered and desired to come home.

A major technical challenge was the "sheer number of wildlife" that could trigger the trap. The solution involved repurposing a car electric window motor to create a "completely remote way of shutting that trap door from a mobile phone."

The Successful Capture and Valerie's Condition

After "night after night" of waiting, Valerie proved to be "clever," watching the team. On April 25, 2025, 529 days after her disappearance, she appeared during the day, "super calm." The remote trap was activated, and the door released, successfully capturing her. The entire trapping process took six weeks.

Upon capture, Valerie was in "blown away" good condition, having "packed on 1.8 kilos of muscle" and possessing "beautiful white, pearly teeth," a "picture of health." This led to a "conspiracy" theory, with Joe Sattin stating, "I have absolutely no doubt that somebody unknown fed this dog for the duration while it was out there." However, the rescue team clarified, "There was no bowl of kibbles for her. There was no bowl of kibbles at all."

The Emotional Reunion and Public Impact

Georgia and Josh traveled to Cygnet River on Kangaroo Island to pick up Valerie. Despite their nervousness about whether she would remember them, the reunion was immediate and emotional. As Valerie entered, she "looked over at Georgia and there was just a slight hesitation, and then all of a sudden you could just see the recognition, she went ahhhh." Georgia described it as "like a miracle."

The story of Valerie's survival and rescue touched "incredible" numbers of hearts globally. The narrative is seen as a "feel good story" with a "good ending," even prompting suggestions of a movie titled "Valerie, the dog that survives in the scrub." The video concludes with a lighthearted discussion about the pronunciation and spelling of "Dachshund," with "sausage dog" or "little snaggers" being preferred for simplicity.

Conclusion: A Miraculous Survival Story

Valerie's journey from a lost pet to a "wild dog" surviving almost 18 months in the rugged terrain of Kangaroo Island, only to be successfully rescued through a combination of community effort, innovative technology, and the unwavering hope of her owners, is a testament to resilience and the power of connection. Her remarkable physical condition upon capture, despite the harsh environment, remains a point of intrigue, highlighting the adaptability of animals and the enduring bond between pets and their families. The story became a global phenomenon, demonstrating how a single animal's plight can unite people and inspire hope.