Net closes in on Valerie the elusive sausage dog who’s been on the run for 500 days

By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 15:13 BST, 15 April 2025 | Updated: 17:32 BST, 15 April 2025

The desperate hunt to track down Valerie the miniature dachshund has turned into a tense waiting game after new vision emerged of her visiting high-tech traps.

Valerie vanished in November 2023 after escaping her pen during a camping trip at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island off the South Australian coast.

Despite searching for five days in dense bushland, her devastated owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock returned home in Albury on the NSW-Victoria border without her.

But the broader effort to find the elusive sausage dog never ended, bolstered last month when she was caught on camera for the first time since her disappearance.

Kangala Wildlife Rescue, run by Jared and Lisa Karran, has spent weeks searching for Valerie.

Their efforts paid off on Monday when the sausage dog was captured on camera visiting a trap.

The footage showed the pooch eating from a bowl, sniffing toys and walking around the area.

‘Valerie is now attending our trap site on a regular basis, even if that means she disappears for five or six days, we now know she will return,’ the rescue group captioned the video. 

When Valerie the miniature dachshund escaped her pen during a camping trip, owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock (pictured) spent five days searching dense bushland

Kangala Wildlife Rescue has led the hunt for Valerie for weeks and announced on Tuesday that she has visited their carefully placed traps multiple times (captured on camera)

‘She has become confident entering the large dog trap which has been set up like her own little room.’ 

The rescue decked out the cage with Valerie’s old toys and bed from home, her owners’ clothing, hidden food and challenges to keep her entertained. 

‘We have seen an amazing change in Valerie’s demeanor recently as she begins to remember all those familiar smells, tastes and sounds,’ it wrote.

The rescue has not been able to safely ensnare the dog yet ‘due to the abundance of wildlife and Valerie’s constantly changing schedule’.

This includes the complex issue of carefully placed traps attracting possums, wallabies and kangaroos as well as Valerie.

‘All these guys are coming into the trap, so we have to be strategic,’ Ms Karan said. 

The wait may soon be over as the final part needed for a custom-built trap will arrive this week.

The high-tech cage will rely on a mobile phone network to use a remote trigger system, which will then safely capture Valerie.

The story of Valerie’s miraculous survival for more than 500 days in Australian wilderness has captured the world’s attention

Valerie’s small size, speed, and sharp canine instincts have helped her survive in the wild, but those same traits have also made her too difficult to catch.

‘She’s still in that survival mode. To be able to survive in these conditions is absolutely incredible,’ Ms Karan said. 

Sightings of the dog are so eagerly sought that the rescue has dubbed Valerie ‘the dachshund version of Bigfoot’. 

Aussies took to social media to celebrate the major milestone in the months-long search.

‘How exciting. Brings tears to ones eyes. It looks a great trap set up there to,’ one wrote.

Valerie (captured on CCTV this week) is one step closer to be reunited with her owners

Valerie (pictured) has spent more than 500 days in the Australian wilderness

Another added: ‘As a dachshund owner of a little girl too, l’m following this closely.’

‘They are such little hunters her true dachshunds instincts have given her the gift of survival.’

The hunt for Valerie has captured the imagination of people across the globe with The New York Times running the headline: ‘Dachshund Lost on Australian Island Is Still Alive, but Elusive.’

The story also reached the UK where The Independent reported ‘Miniature dachshund spotted alive 16 months after being lost in wilderness: Impossible to catch.’

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Net closes in on Valerie the elusive sausage dog who’s been on the run for 500 days

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