Couple’s pet dachshund miraculously survives 529 days in Australian wilderness

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An Australian couple is getting a lot of attention online after their tiny dachshund, Valerie, was found safe. Valerie amazingly survived for over a year and a half lost in the wild on Kangaroo Island.

In November 2023, Josh Fishlock, Georgia Gardner, and their dog, Valerie, went camping on Kangaroo Island, a secluded spot off the southern coast of Australia.

The couple went fishing, leaving their dog, Valerie, secured in a crate. However, she managed to escape. Despite having both an Apple AirTag and a microchip for identification, her owners, Gardner and Fishlock, were unable to find her.

I was so bummed to hear about their little dachshund getting lost on that island! They searched everywhere for days, asking everyone they could, but finally had to give up and head back to the mainland, thinking they might never see her again. Honestly, with all the wild animals on the island – venomous snakes, birds, pigs, even bats – it seemed like a really tough situation, and the chances of a little dog surviving out there were slim.

“Leaving the island was the most difficult decision of my life,” Fishlock told NPR. “We arrived as a group of three, but were returning with only two. It was a truly awful experience.”

Gardner explained they had to accept the possibility their daughter might not return home, and they needed to process that sadness.

Valerie the dachshund survives 17 months alone in the wild

Over a year had gone by since Valerie disappeared. Then, in February 2025, a farmer on Kangaroo Island photographed a dog that strongly resembled her, walking through a field.

The photo eventually ended up on the Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s Facebook page. They had already been in touch with Fischlock and Gardner about Valerie going missing back in November.

I was seriously amazed to hear how long it took to rescue this little pup! Apparently, it took rescuers about two months to finally catch her. She’s only about 10 pounds, and she was so scared they had to use everything they could think of – food, toys, and even clothes from her owners to get her to come out. They covered the clothes with the owners’ scent, which was a really clever idea. It just shows how resourceful she was to stay hidden for so long!

After a long search, they finally trapped the dachshund, and were surprised to find she was in good condition. In fact, she had even gained weight! The mayor of Kangaroo Island believes someone must have been feeding her. Rescuers think she probably survived by scavenging for food and digging burrows for shelter.

Gardner was amazed the dog had lived so long, saying, “There’s no way a dog that small could have survived that long.”

Valerie is finally home safe after facing challenges on her own for over a year. Her owners have noticed she seems much more self-assured now.

Gardner explained that she’s become more self-reliant since returning. While she still cares about her family, she’s noticeably more confident and capable of handling things on her own.

Valerie’s incredible story of survival has made her well-known in the community. She’s even gained a large following on Instagram – over 14,000 people enjoy watching photos and videos of her life with her family.

People are amazed by another heartwarming animal rescue! This time, a cat who lived at a Lowe’s store in Richmond, Virginia, accidentally traveled over 85 miles to Garysburg, North Carolina, inside a delivery truck. Thankfully, the cat was recently rescued and is safe.

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2025-12-11 21:19