When a tiny sausage dog named Valerie disappeared into the wilds of Kangaroo Island, most thought she didn’t stand a chance. Snakes, giant goannas, and the endless bushland should have been the end of her. But against all odds, this little dachshund not only survived…she became a legend. And the secret weapon that finally lured her back to safety? A smelly, worn-out T-shirt soaked with the scent of home!
Valerie’s Vanishing Act
In November 2023, Valerie was on a camping holiday with her owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock when disaster struck. Startled by strangers, she bolted into the thick scrub of Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Despite desperate searches, weeks turned into months with no sign of the little dog. Locals assumed the worst. Kangaroo Island is home to deadly snakes, fierce goannas, and treacherous bushland.
Even her heartbroken owners had to return home to Albury, NSW, believing Valerie was lost forever.
But sightings soon trickled in. Could Valerie really be alive after all this time?
An Unbelievable Survival Story
Valerie’s survival amazed even the experts. Kangala Wildlife Rescue, a not-for-profit group founded after the 2020 bushfires, launched a full-scale search. Volunteers like Jared and Lisa Karran juggled jobs, other rescues, and sanctuary work, all while setting up cameras, food stations, and scent trails across a massive wilderness.
Kangaroo Island’s rough terrain and thick scrub made finding one tiny dog almost impossible. To make things harder, rescue teams were in a constant battle with curious possums, hungry wallabies, sneaky goannas, and feral cats who kept stealing food left for Valerie.
Despite the odds, they refused to give up.
The Smelly T-shirt Strategy
The breakthrough came with a clever idea: Valerie’s owners sent a well-worn T-shirt soaked in their scent. Lisa Karran tore the shirt into strips and laid them across the landscape like a breadcrumb trail, guiding Valerie towards a hidden enclosure. Lisa even wore the “tatty” T-shirt while sitting near the trap to make the space feel like home.
Each day, Valerie crept closer.
Finally, on Anzac Day 2025, after 529 days of living wild, the exhausted but spirited dachshund stepped into the specially designed pen. The gate clicked shut behind her, and the world erupted with joy.
Valerie didn’t panic. Instead, she sniffed the air, explored the space, then crawled into a cosy crate that looked just like the one she had at home… and promptly took a nap.
Healing, One Little Tail Wag at a Time
Today, Valerie is safe and decompressing at Kangala Wildlife Rescue. She’s wary of sudden movements but is otherwise healthy and happy. Volunteers say she’s back to wagging her tail and snuggling on laps after just a few short days of patience, roast chicken, and gentle coaxing.
While she awaits the arrival of her owners, Valerie is being spoiled with tiny meals to help her small stomach readjust after so long in survival mode.
The rescue effort captured international attention, but it came at a cost. Kangala Wildlife Rescue spent heavily on equipment like 4G cameras and remote-controlled traps. Only now, thanks to public support, have they finally covered their expenses.
Jared and Lisa Karran hope that Valerie’s incredible story will inspire people to support their continued wildlife rescue work. After all, if a sausage dog can beat the odds for 529 days, what other miracles might be hiding out there in the bush?
