Still No Unicorn, But LA County Girl Has Helped Raise Thousands Of Dollars For Animal Welfare

Los Angeles County granted the first ever unicorn license to a local first grader last December.

The story of Madeline’s letter to L.A. County Animal Care and Control traveled around the world, raised more than $10,000 for animal welfare, and kicked off her unicorn search in earnest.

While 2023 was a busy year— she debuted as Pepper the orphan in a production of Annie, visited several animal shelters, and just celebrated her 8th birthday — Madeline has yet to spot one of the mystical equine creatures.

“I've looked in parks, but no unicorns, just dogs,” she said in a recent Zoom interview from her Santa Clarita Valley home.

Madeline's original letter and L.A. County Animal Care and Control’s response granting a pre-approved unicorn license.

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Courtesy Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control.

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We’re not using Madeline’s last name at her family’s request to protect their privacy — and avoid jeopardizing her ongoing unicorn quest.

In the meantime, she’s kept up her research. “I have a new fact about unicorns. It's that a group of unicorns is called a blessing,” Madeline shared.

This reading has also introduced her to new animals — and another creature has slithered into her heart.

That’s right: Snakes are now her favorite animal (!).

It’s the limbless locomotion and inquisitive tongues that captured her attention, and also … the danger?

“What makes them the cutest is because they think ‘I'm gonna eat you,’” Madeline said.

Madeline explained further that it’s the illusion of consumption that’s endearing. “It's cute because they realize that they can't eat you,” she said.

After Madeline talked to LAist, she whipped up a quick sketch of a unicorn-snake hybrid capable of granting wishes.

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Courtesy Madeline's mom, Leilani.

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Despite snakes’ availability as domestic pets, it’s unlikely Madeline will be welcoming one to her home any time soon.

“I had to draw the line at snakes,” mom Leilani said. “I was like, ‘I don't think Mommy can do that.’”

But they’ve talked about the potential of getting a dog or cat in addition to the family’s three fish and Caramel the guinea pig.

Leilani said they’ll likely hold off on adding any new animal members to the family until they return from a planned trip to Scotland next summer— where unicorns are the national animal.

“We're going to see what happens there,” Leilani said.

Real need for Los Angeles animals

Here’s where things are going to get a little sad.

There are a lot of pets more common than unicorns that are in need. Shelters around the country are overcrowded. The L.A. Times reported in early December that the dog euthanasia rate at two Antelope Valley shelters has nearly doubled in recent years.

L.A. County Director of Animal Care and Control Marcia Mayeda said challenges include an increasing number of animals being surrendered, not enough funding to expand shelter capacity, and understaffing.

“We can't transfer or adopt our way out of this problem,” Mayeda said. “It really takes the public's commitment to being responsible pet owners.”

Unicorn licenses for all — with a donation

Madeline's story continues to bring magic to L.A. County shelters.

Madeline received her unicorn license and adopted "Poppy" the plush during a special ceremony at Los Angeles County’s Animal Care Center in Castaic. Subsequent unicorn license holders receive their certificate and an engraved metal heart "license" in the mail.

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Mariana Dale

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LAist

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While taxpayers pay for the county shelters’ basic operations, Animal Care and Control also relies on support from a nonprofit for additional services including vouchers to help families pay vet bills, behavioral training, and care for pets with extraordinary medical needs.

“Local government can only fund resources and activities at a certain level,” said Mayeda. “The foundation is absolutely critical in making sure we can go above and beyond that.”

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation started offering unicorn licenses in exchange for a donation last year. *I thought it was great that I could make a difference to all those pets who needed help,” Madeline said.

Over the last year, 417 unicorn licenses have been sent to as far as Australia and Madeline’s Magical Unicorn Fund has raised $17,420.

Animal Care and Control hasn’t yet received requests to license other fantasy creatures.

“Although I made it clear when I issued the unicorn license that if anybody wanted a license for a dragon, I was going to refer them to the fire chief,” Mayeda said.