After more than 500 days missing in Kangaroo Island’s bushland, South Australia’s famous runaway dachshund Valerie might finally be heading home.
The missing pup has caught global attention since she went missing in 2023, and Kangala Wildlife Rescue team have been working tirelessly to rescue her. Their focus is on Valerie’s safety and her mental health, making sure her transition home is as stress free as possible.
Recent updates show her visiting the trap site regularly, which the team believe is a step in the right direction.
“Valerie is now attending at our trap site on a regular basis, even is that means she disappears for 5 or 6 days we now know she will return,” they report.
The trap is set up like her own little room with all her favourite toys, mums clothing, and food, which have helped Valerie feel more confident in returning to the location.
“We have seen an amazing change in Valerie’s demenour recently as she begins to remember all those familiar smells, tastes and sounds,” they shared to Facebook.
The rescue mission hasn’t been easy. Due to traditional methods failing to meet the dogs unpredicted visits, the team have devised a remote control system, which will send an alert via mobile when Valerie is in the trap. The system is due to be installed this week.
“We have been working hard to manufacture a remote trigger system for the trap using the mobile phone network. We are happy to report that after a few tests and modifications it looks like we have a system that will work. The final part is due to arrive this week so we can install it,” they shared.
So, hang tight everyone. This runaway dog could very soon be the main character in the feel-good rescue mission of the year. In the meantime, the Kangala Rescue Team have provided some fabulous footage of her visits to the trap site.
The team shared to Facebook, “Thank you to everyone that’s been kind, supportive and so encouraging to all of our volunteers, they are doing it tough volunteering their time in remote locations and behind the scenes for long hours, getting very little sleep and often going straight from their day jobs to help with Valeries rescue mission.”
For anyone who’d like to support the cause, you can follow the website link to help out in this strenuous and admirable rescue mission.
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