HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – A Horry County kangaroo is back with his family after a brief “field trip” in his Aynor neighborhood.
“JJ” is a male red kangaroo who has been living on the After Hours Farm since he was a baby. Lindsay and Justin Richardson adopted him from a petting zoo.
JJ made headlines over the weekend after the Horry County Police Department posted photos of him along Bakers Chapel Road being picked up by Lindsay.
One would think JJ simply hopped over the fence of his enclosure. According to the Richardsons, however, it turns out he had some help with the escape.
“Blue is the culprit,” Lindsay said of a goat the couple rescued from the Horry County Animal Shelter. “Blue ended up knocking open the gate and JJ just escaped, hopping onto the highway.”
All of the other animals – including a dog, puppy, baby goats and a pig – were able to get out. JJ was the only one to take to the adjacent road.
“This was the first time that he has gotten out of the premises,” said Justin.
JJ wasn’t hurt, as police helped make sure he got home safely.
The Richardsons decided to turn part of their property into an animal farm, calling it “After Hours” because Justin and Lindsay have full-time jobs.
After countless media inquiries and comments on social media, JJ is safe and sound in his living quarters, soaking in his 15 minutes of fame.
Plans are in the works to get all of the animals into remodeled and new homes a little further from the road to enhance security.
While visitors are not allowed on the farm, the Richardsons said they’d like to change that once they iron out some legalities.
They are also working on opportunities for visitors dealing with PTSD or mental health challenges to visit the animals in a safe space.
The Richardsons said they will keep updates to the After Hours Farm page on Facebook.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
