On December 7, 2022, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control received a letter from a 6-year-old girl Madeline with the simple request of owning a unicorn.

The letter was short and sweet, straight to the point. According to Zoe Sottile on CNN, the letter stated “Dear LA County, I would like your approval if I can have a unicorn in my backyard if I can find one. Please send me a letter in response.” The letter was posted on Facebook, in which the department immediately lionized Madeline for her heartwarming request. 

The department found it endearing that the young still go across necessary steps in order to get a loving house pet. Attached to the Facebook post was a “pre-approved” license, sent by the animal department. The animal department also provided a list of how to take care of the unicorn. 

The license letter specifies that Madeline must give her pet unicorn “regular access to sunlight, moonbeams, and rainbows,” that it must be fed watermelon once a week, and that its horn must be polished “at least once a month with a soft cloth” and that ‘any sparkles or glitter used on the unicorn must be nontoxic and biodegradable to ensure the unicorn’s good health.” CNN stated. 

Director Marcia Mayeda told the Washington Post that she and her fellow colleagues go through a lot of emotional distress and life-or-death issues on the job, ranging from animal abuse or animal attacks, or even putting down animals, as stated on NPR by Rachael Treisman. 

In the end, Madeline’s letter gave everyone a tight heart and a wide smile. In return, they sent the enthusiastic girl a nice stuffed unicorn to encourage her in her search.