Glenwood, Iowa – A small‑town search effort is under way for a one‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old female donkey that disappeared from a caretaker’s property around Halloween. The animal, now affectionately called Hope by volunteers, has become a focal point for community members determined to bring her home safely.
How Hope went missing
According to Hooves and Paws Rescue of the Heartland, the donkey was being cared for by a Glenwood woman after being rescued from prior mistreatment. Sometime in late October, the animal slipped its leash and roamed off the property, prompting a neighborhood‑wide alert.
Community response
Local residents quickly organized a coordinated search. Volunteers are combing the surrounding fields on horseback, riding ATVs and deploying drones to scan hard‑to‑reach areas. A flyer posted around town reads, “MISSING DONKEY – PLEASE HELP BRING HER HOME.”
Shannon Ballinger, a Glenwood resident, reported a sighting along Moon Avenue. “I whistled at them,” she said. “They stopped, looked, took a couple of steps toward me. I whistled again and they turned and went over the hill.” Ballinger also noted a second donkey that had been loose but was later found safe.
Neighbors share memories
Chris McCormick, another Glenwood resident, recalled encountering the same donkey last summer when it wandered onto his yard with a horse, creating a bit of chaos. “He was in my yard earlier this summer when he got out with a horse, running around creating havoc, but I haven’t seen him this time,” McCormick said.
McCormick added that the story of the missing donkey has sparked conversation throughout Glenwood, with many locals keeping an eye out while respecting the animal’s space.
How to help
Hooves and Paws Rescue of the Heartland asks anyone who spots Hope not to chase her, but to call the organization at (712) 355‑3721. The group emphasizes that a calm approach gives the donkey the best chance to stay safe until rescuers arrive.
Why the search matters
Beyond the immediate goal of reuniting Hope with her caretaker, the effort highlights Glenwood’s strong sense of neighborly responsibility and the town’s support for animal‑welfare initiatives. The community’s willingness to mobilize resources—ranging from modern technology to traditional horseback patrols—demonstrates a commitment to caring for vulnerable creatures and each other.
As the search continues, residents remain hopeful that the combined efforts of volunteers, technology and local animal‑rescue groups will bring Hope back home, reinforcing Glenwood’s reputation as a place where compassion and community spirit thrive.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
