Missing for 540 Days: Tiny Dachshund Survives Alone in Aussie Wilderness

What began as a peaceful beach camping trip to Kangaroo Island, Australia, turned into a heart-wrenching ordeal for Josh, Georgia, and their miniature Dachshund, Valerie. Weighing under four kilograms and wearing a pink collar, Valerie vanished in November 2023 after being startled near remote Stokes Bay.

Despite tireless efforts by the couple and local volunteers, Valerie remained missing. They left the island devastated, fearing their beloved pet couldn’t survive the wild.

“She was more than a dog—she was family,” Josh said.

Fast forward to early 2025, sightings of a small dog matching Valerie’s description surfaced 15 kilometers from the original site. Trail cameras confirmed the unthinkable: Valerie had survived over 500 days alone.

With help from Kangala Wildlife Rescue, and using scent trails and humane traps, she was safely captured after 540 days. At the reunion, thin but alive, Valerie instantly recognized her family.

Now home and healing, her incredible journey proves that even the tiniest companions can display unimaginable strength—and that love never gives up.