Meet Wellness Officer Percy, the K9 rabbit helping police in California

WASHINGTON (TND) — You've most likely heard of K9s assisting police, but what about rabbits?

TheYuba City Police Department in California has a new fuzzy friend on the payroll: Wellness Officer Percy.

Percy is an integral part of the department's wellness program that puts the focus on prioritizing mental and physical health and providing officers with resources to reduce stress levels. It's available for both employees and their families.

Police say an officer was on duty patrolling back in November when she came across the rabbit on Percy Avenue, who appeared to be lost. She picked the animal up after seeing how friendly he was and he was taken to animal control.

Unfortunately, he wasn't claimed by his family, but police stepped in to give him a new home. The department's Police Services Analyst adopted the little one and named him Percy after the street where he was found.

"Officer Percy lounges at the police department during the day and is a support animal for all," police wrote on Facebook. "...Percy has been at the police department since being adopted, acting as our wellness officer. Most enjoy his company, while some are still getting used to the idea of a rabbit being inside a police department."

Read the department's full background on Percy's story:

Percy’s backstory: On 10/21/22, Officer Carson was working our B-Graves Shift patrolling south Yuba City. She came across a rabbit, who appeared lost, in the middle of Percy Avenue. In order to ensure the rabbit's safety, Officer Carson picked him up, realizing how docile and friendly he was. The rabbit was taken to animal control but was not claimed by his family. Our Police Services Analyst chose to adopt him once he was available. She decided to name the rabbit “Percy”, from where he was found. Percy has been at the police department since being adopted, acting as our wellness officer. Most enjoy his company, while some are still getting used to the idea of a rabbit being inside a police department."