NORTH PROVIDENCE – Lauren Malloy says she can’t believe how many people have stepped up to help her try to find the owner of a domestic rabbit she came across on Smithfield Road near Stephen Olney Park on Tuesday. She thanked everyone in the social media sphere for their guidance and help.
First thing Wednesday morning, May 27, she Animal Control Officer Ernie Calandra called her and stopped by to pick up the rabbit, a bunny she’s named Timmy, to transfer him to headquarters. There he was to be examined and held for several days, in hopes that an owner might come forward.
“If no one claims this sweet little buddy, the town will likely coordinate with Providence Animal Rescue League to help find him a fantastic permanent home,” she said, adding that the league is great with rabbits.
Malloy, who works for the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, is creator of Unsolved RI, and volunteers with RI Canine Search and Rescue, said Calandra deserves all the praise. She said he responded immediately, was a total professional, and handled Timmy with care.
“We are lucky to have ACO Ernie in our town,” she said.
Malloy said ChatGPT told her that this is probably a Mini Rex rabbit.
Knowing “absolutely nothing about rabbits,” she said she went to Pet Supplies Plus on Mineral Spring Avenue and asked the employees there for help. She walked out with hay, rabbit food, “a cute little water bottle,” and about $40 less in her bank account. By some miracle, she said, she had an old animal cage collecting dust in her garage, and Timmy was able to rest comfortably in it for the night.
