Valerie ran away in November 2023. After a promising start to the search, it then became completely quiet for over a year.
But a few months ago, reports emerged on social media that Valerie had been spotted. Since then, the search – which has captured the public's interest – has been ongoing at full speed. Local wildlife carers have offered their help and have, among other things, set up cameras and traps.
And after coming close several times without managing to catch her, they have finally succeeded in catching her – after 529 days.
It required a trap where they step by step placed Valerie's toys and bed, which she gradually became familiar with and which slowly calmed her down. In the end, she lay down there and fell asleep.
There was no chance that we would let that fox run away from us again, says wildlife carer Jared.
Experts call the four-kilo dog's survival "incredible". Owners Georgia and Josh are said to be overjoyed but will have to wait a week before she is sent home to Albury in New South Wales, so that she can have time to adjust.
