Australian Shepherd Mystifies Meerkats at the Zoo and It’s Just Too Cute originally appeared on Parade Pets.
A visit to the zoo is always interesting. From having the chance to admire majestic beasts to marveling at mischievous monkeys and smaller animals, there’s so much to see.
At the San Diego Zoo, it was actually the zoo animals who found they had something fun and unique to look at in the form of an unusual visitor. An Australian Shepherd service dog named Stella completely captivated an adorable crew of meerkats, who found the perfect pup to be quite the curiosity!
Check out these meerkats in this hilarious TikTok video, who are trying to figure out just who this new visitor is and what she’s all about!
“Stella is a hit with the animals at the zoo,” the caption states.
Viewers are nearly as enthralled as the meerkats and had some fun thoughts on this interaction.
“I react the same way when I see a cute pup,” one wrote. Yes, who can resist doing a double take when seeing someone as sweet as Stella?
“The meerkats: ‘Tell us how you escaped, oh fluffy one!?'” another wrote.
Ha! That’s probably accurate. We’re guessing the meerkats can’t help but envy how freely Stella is moving through the zoo. We have to wonder if they’re hoping Stella will share her secrets about what life is like on the outside.
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Another person commented, “Stella is the attraction, the meerkats (are) just visitors today.”
We can only imagine Stella attracted plenty of attention; she’s gorgeous.
“That would be the cutest band name: ‘Stella and the Meerkats,'” another suggested.
These meerkats would no doubt rule as backup dancers! Look at how agile they are in leaping to track her movements. They definitely look like her groupies! And that name reminds me of that old show Josie and the Pussycats. I think it’s fair to say Stella and her entourage would find an audience!
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Other viewers think the meerkats have something else on their minds. “They’re like, ‘What are you FEEDING him?!'”
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Ha! Yes, Stella is a good bit bigger than they are. Zoo animals aren’t used to seeing other animals roaming the grounds — beyond squirrels, raccoons, and chipmunks, of course. But since Stella is a service dog, she’s permitted to be there. And it looks like it was a fun day for everyone!
Australian Shepherd Mystifies Meerkats at the Zoo and It’s Just Too Cute first appeared on Parade Pets on Jul 23, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.