Thief Walks Off With Pet Refuge Donation Box

A donation box at the North Kingstown Animal Hospital to benefit the Pet Refuge was stolen Sunday evening by a man who can be seen on surveillance video walking in, waiting at the counter for a few seconds, then picking up the box and leaving.

The box held approximately $25.

The hospital was closed at the time (just after 5 p.m.) – the blinds drawn and a "Closed" sign clearly visible – but the front door had been unlocked while a cleaning service was there. The cleaners had just finished cleaning the front area and were in the back at the time of the theft.

According to Lorie Caruana, the hospital's practice manager, someone from the Pet Refuge usually collected the donations once a month. In fact, she said, they had just called the Pet Refuge to tell them the box was full and were anticipating a pickup on Monday.

"It's been pretty nerve wracking," said Caruana on Friday. "To know somebody walked in – it's an eerie feeling."

The silver lining has been the outpouring of support from the community since the incident. Caruana said they've collected about $75 in donations this week, from people who've come in specifically because they wanted to replenish the money that was taken.

The North Kingstown Pet Refuge is a no-kill shelter that provides a warm home for abused and neglected animals and for those animals who can no longer remain in their homes.