There isn’t a lot of crime among the idyllic rolling hills of Hampshire, England. When something goes missing, people tend to notice. On May 15, workers at Miller’s Ark Animals, a charitable farm that offers fun and therapeutic encounters with friendly farm animals, noticed one of their baby donkeys had gone missing. Moon is just 12 weeks old and too young to be away from his mother, but he had somehow vanished into thin air.
The police were called, and owner Elizabeth Miller put out a frantic plea on Facebook to ask for the public’s help finding Moon. The social media messages inspired a flurry of concerned responses. People were appalled that a baby donkey had been stolen and were concerned for Moon’s wellbeing.
Soon the entire Hampshire community was invested in bringing Moon home. Someone started a GoFundMe to raise money to equip the farm with security cameras so no other animals would be put at risk.
The first big break in the case didn’t happen until May 22, when police received a “credible sighting” of Moon.
“A member of the public has been in touch with us at Miller’s Ark stating that they saw a small ginger coloured donkey in the boot area of a dark blue car,” the farm wrote on Facebook.
It took another week before they received the call they’d been waiting for. Police followed a tip from the public to an address in Buckinghamshire. They found Moon, who was in good health, and returned him to his very grateful owner. The public was beside themselves with glee to hear that Moon was back, safe and sound. The only one more elated was Elizabeth, who shared a video of herself hugging the donkey and giving him a big kiss on the head.
“Yesterday evening we travelled to Buckinghamshire, liaised with Thames Valley Police and have recovered little Moon.” Miller’s Ark wrote on Facebook. “We are beyond thrilled and Mum and foal are finally back together. Moon appears to be in good health, thank heaven, and we will make sure that Moon and her mum Astra get lots of love and care as they re discover each other.”
They went on to thank the public for their support and help in bringing Moon home.
“It is because of all of you, amazing people, who have supported Moon, Astra and the team at Miller’s Ark, sharing this story far and wide – and now you have brought her home. A huge thank you to all streams of the media who spread the story further, Thames Valley Police for their quick response and Surrey and Hampshire Police for their work behind the scenes.”
That is one well-loved donkey! It really does take a village sometimes, doesn’t it? We’re so pleased that this story has a happy ending for all involved.
Share this story to welcome baby Moon back home.
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