Quick Take
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Valerie, a miniature dachshund, was found after 529 days of missing.
She disappeared on Kangaroo Island, Australia during a family trip.
Volunteers used stinky t-shirts to create a Valerie scented trail.
More than 500 days after getting lost, Valerie, a miniature dachshund, went missing on Kangaroo Island, Australia, has finally been found. Lost dogs rarely attract international attention, but Valerie’s search and rescue efforts are being followed sharply by people all over the world.
Follow the report CNNa small sausage dog with a pink collar was roaming the island when it was finally discovered 529 days later. Volunteers at Kangara Wildlife Rescue said they were “absolutely excited” to announce that Valerie has finally been discovered.
“After weeks of tireless efforts by volunteers and partner organizations, Valerie is safely rescued, appropriate and will work,” read the statement.
“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe and can begin her transition to her beloved parents.”
Kangala directors Jared and Lisa Karran informed that the key to Valerie’s rescue was a stinky T-shirt worn by the owner. The rescue team used the shirt as a scent path to attract Valerie to the enclosure.
“We were able to rip a little strip from it, and we started the process of adding more bits towards the trap site as we proceeded,” Curran said.
Social media responds
Social media users who were constantly monitoring the latest information about dogs erupted in happiness after the rescue operation was completed.
“This is the best news I’ve heard all day,” one user wrote, but another said, “The other dogs in the park never believe her.”
Third comment: “It’s good to read happy news about change. It’s a miracle that she survived.”
The little dog Valerie has been lost for over a year! People saw it everywhere.
Then what do you guess? She’s back!
The island is safe and healthy. It’s like a movie! Don’t give up hope.
– World Government (@worldgovs) April 26, 2025
They are truly the most resilient and stubborn dogs#Valerie #DACSHUND pic.twitter.com/zxv2vjmwv9
– Beerboy 💙 (@beerboy182) April 25, 2025
Valerie was able to live for a long time by going into survival mode. According to rescuers, she was currently showing behaviors related to “lost dog syndrome.”
“When a dog gets lost… if he notices the stress that it is going on, he basically has to dodge it on his own,” Curran said.
Valerie escaped from the pen at the campsite during a family trip with owners, New South Wales couple Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock. Over the next few months, reports of her sightings began to appear, but she escaped in human and car form.
