A tiny wallaby left behind in a carrier in a San Francisco park is now soaking up attention at the city’s animal shelter and is available to meet visitors. Staff estimate the marsupial is roughly 1 year old, very affectionate, and, in their words, a wiggly, joyful little goof who loves to cuddle. While she settles in, shelter workers are caring for her and looking for a permanent adopter.
Meet Wallaby A590171
According to Animal Care & Control San Francisco, officers found the wallaby abandoned in a carrier in a city park on Monday and brought her to the shelter, where she has been cataloged as A590171. The post lists her at about 1 year old and roughly 7 pounds, and staff say she is friendly and comfortable with handling. Shelter workers are seeking adopters who will give her a permanent, pampered home.
The same post calls her “an enchanting little forest critter dressed up as a sweet little dog” and “a wiggly, joyful little goof” who “loves to cuddle,” and invites the public to stop by the shelter to meet her, according to Animal Care & Control San Francisco. The agency notes the wallaby is safe under the shelter’s care while staff complete her intake checks.
What the Law Says About Exotic Pets
San Francisco’s health code restricts possession of certain wild and potentially dangerous animals and authorizes the city to regulate or remove animals kept without proper authorization, as outlined in the San Francisco Health Code. In practice, that means animal-control officers can step in when nonstandard pets are abandoned or kept in unsafe conditions.
At the state level, California’s regulations (Title 14, section 671) classify all marsupials as restricted welfare animals and generally require permits for importation, transport, or private possession; the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s guidance explains the permit categories and facility standards, per the Animal Legal & Historical Center. That framework makes private ownership of animals like wallabies complicated and often subject to state or local permitting.
How to Meet Her or Report an Abandoned Animal
Animal Care & Control says the wallaby is available to meet at the shelter; people who want to visit or ask about adoption should review hours and procedures at San Francisco Animal Care & Control. For urgent reports of injured, sick, or abandoned animals, the department lists emergency dispatch at 415-554-9400, according to San Francisco Animal Care & Control.
For now, the little wallaby is getting veterinary checks and socialization while staff sort out next steps. Her unexpected arrival is a reminder that unusual animals sometimes turn up at city shelters, and that officials must balance animal welfare with public safety when deciding what comes next.
