Rupert, the wallaby, may not be a typical pet, but for Josie Shockwave and her fiancé, he’s an essential part of their family. In Illinois, it’s legal to own wallabies, and Rupert became a part of their lives when he was just a 4-and-a-half-pound baby. He quickly grew into an emotional support animal for the family.
“He’s a character. He’s got emotions. He’s got a personality,” Josie Shockwave emphasized. “He’s an emotional support animal for me and my fiancé. We love him to death.”
Rupert is no stranger to daily adventures with the family, including car rides. However, it’s been three days since they last saw him.
“I turned my back for a minute, and he was gone,” Shockwave recounted. “It’s been a totally new experience for us, and he’s been a joy, and we’re horribly missing him.”
The search for Rupert is challenging due to the vast amount of land surrounding their home, providing plenty of open space for him to roam. Volunteers, like Jeny Kowalsky from PAWS at Tinley Park, have joined the search efforts. They are posting colorful flyers and setting up a humane trap with food and a camera in case Rupert returns.
“Some of the sightings that we’ve had have been in wooded areas,” Kowalsky mentioned.
Local police departments are also on alert, and concerns grow about the weather conditions.
“I’m terrified that he’s gotten hurt,” Shockwave expressed her worry. “If he’s been out in this weather for the past two days, he’s probably soaked through his undercoat, and he could be cold.”
If anyone spots Rupert, they are urged not to attempt to capture him but to call the number provided on the flyers at 708-710-3148.
“I just want someone to get a hold of us so we can come get him,” Shockwave pleaded. “He’s too important to us. I can’t risk losing him.”
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