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Valerie was found on April 25 — miraculously fit and well after nearly 18 months on her own on the island — and rescued by Kangala Wildlife Rescue, a not-for-profit wildlife rescue service that provided round-the-clock care to ensure the almost three-year-old’s recovery and wellbeing.
“I was sitting on the ground when Lisa and Jared brought Valerie in, and she ran straight up to me — I just burst into tears,” said Georgia. “She was wagging her tail, making her little happy sounds, and wiggling around with joy. I held her and cried and cried.
Georgia had brought Valerie’s old harness, which she could barely fit into. “She’s stockier now, strong and healthy… healthier than we are, honestly!” she laughed.
Josh added, “It was incredible – euphoric! We never thought we’d hold her again, and then suddenly, there she was. It still doesn’t feel real.”
Georgia said Kangala Wildlife Rescue had been absolutely vital in bringing Valerie home.
“Without them, she simply wouldn’t be coming home,” she said. “They put hundreds of hours into planning and executing her safe capture — sacrificing their time, sleep, work and privacy out of genuine care and love for Valerie and us.”
“Words cannot describe how extremely grateful we are for their work and dedication. We have such admiration for their generosity, kindness and care for animals.”
Rescue with heart
Georgia’s gratitude reflects the deep connection the team at Kangala Wildlife Rescue developed with Valerie during her long rescue.
“We felt like we came to know Valerie through the camera,” said Jared Karran, Director of Kangala Wildlife Rescue. “But when we met her in person, she was just so much smaller than we imagined. If it was a miracle before that she'd survived – seeing her size - it's just unbelievable that she was able to survive and thrive out there!
“We can confidently say that we've never met a dog like Valerie before. She has this ability to look into your soul - it's like she's wise and she's just so smart. We've all really fallen in love with little Valerie. She is truly something special.”
Jared admits that while the team is thrilled to see Valerie going home, saying goodbye won’t be easy.
“As rescuers, we always try to keep it professional. But with Valerie, it's hard not to bond,” he said. “She is such a special dog, and the rescue effort was so long and so emotional that all of those feelings are amplified. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Valerie, but we know that she'll be so well cared for and loved with Georgia and Josh. And if she ever feels like a Kangaroo Island getaway, she's welcome here anytime!”
Valerie’s next chapter
Valerie is now preparing for the long road trip back home to Albury NSW with her family, who’ve missed her every day since she went missing during a 2023 camping trip to the island.
Georgia’s gratitude reflects the deep connection the team at Kangala Wildlife Rescue developed with Valerie during her long rescue.
“We felt like we came to know Valerie through the camera,” said Jared Karran, Director of Kangala Wildlife Rescue. “But when we met her in person, she was just so much smaller than we imagined. If it was a miracle before that she'd survived – seeing her size - it's just unbelievable that she was able to survive and thrive out there!
“We can confidently say that we've never met a dog like Valerie before. She has this ability to look into your soul - it's like she's wise and she's just so smart. We've all really fallen in love with little Valerie. She is truly something special.”
Jared admits that while the team is thrilled to see Valerie going home, saying goodbye won’t be easy.
“As rescuers, we always try to keep it professional. But with Valerie, it's hard not to bond,” he said. “She is such a special dog, and the rescue effort was so long and so emotional that all of those feelings are amplified. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Valerie, but we know that she'll be so well cared for and loved with Georgia and Josh. And if she ever feels like a Kangaroo Island getaway, she's welcome here anytime!”
Valerie’s next chapter
Valerie is now preparing for the long road trip back home to Albury NSW with her family, who’ve missed her every day since she went missing during a 2023 camping trip to the island.
“Once Valerie’s home, we’ll be giving her all the love and care we possibly can, and let her heal and enjoy the wonderful life,” said Josh.
Valerie will also be reunited with her fur-siblings - her best friend Lucy the rescue cat and Mason the Red Heeler, and shake paws for the first time with Dorothy, the family’s newest Dachshund addition.
“We are working with Kangala and dog behaviourist Lara Shannon to support Valerie’s transition back into home life,” said Georgia. “Valerie’s separation anxiety played a big role in why she went missing, so we’ll be crate training her to provide a safe place to decompress. We’re also keeping her on a raw food diet, considering her incredible condition when she was found.
“I hope Valerie’s story brings hope, joy and inspiration to anyone who’s ever lost a pet or going through a difficult time. If the smallest sausage dog can survive 529 days in the bush— you, too, can survive whatever life throws at you.”
Thank you
As Valerie readjusts to familiar surroundings, her journey will continue to be shared with her growing community of supporters.
Follow @valerie_dachshund for updates and joyful moments from home.
Please consider supporting the incredible work of Kangala Wildlife Rescue, who played a vital role saving wildlife during the 2019/2020 bushfires, by visiting
kangalawildliferescue.com
Photography Credit: Kangala Wildlife Rescue / Georgia Gardner
MEDIA RELEASE, Australia, 7th May 2025
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