Vandals caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to Canberra Pet Rescue at Curtin, destroying everything in sight, from food to vet supplies for the animals in need. Photo: Facebook.
Vandals have destroyed thousands of dollars worth of food and equipment donated to the not-for-profit Canberra Pet Rescue, leaving the group devastated.
Items packed up ready to be sold to raise funds for the group, which relies on donations for its survival, were also stolen.
Founder and president of Canberra Pet Rescue Amanda Doelle said she was devastated by the act of vandalism at the centre, which is on the site of the former Curtin school.
Officers were called to the site at about 9 pm on Tuesday, an ACT Police spokesperson said, but the offenders had already left the site.
Amanda described the attack as the “biggest setback we’ve had since we started this 11 years ago”.
“They broke in and just destroyed everything in sight. They trashed the place. They broke windows, tore down parts of the ceiling, they even urinated over everything.
“But the most important thing is that all the animals are safe,” she said. “They are all with their foster carers. But all the supplies we have for the foster carers, right in the middle of kitten season, that’s all gone.
“All of our fund-raising merchandise was ready to go, that’s all gone too. We relied on that money to pay for the animals’ care.
‘”But what really upsets me is that all the food and supplies for our Pet Assist program is gone. This program helps people care for their pets in times of crisis, people who often have to make the decision of whether to feed their pets or themselves. Through this program, we give them whatever they need so they don’t have to surrender their animals.
“We had all this prepared for the owners, we’ve been working every day to make sure we had enough for them. I haven’t even told them yet … I just don’t know what I can say to them.”
Amanda set up Canberra Pet Rescue back in 2012 and, along with her core group of about 50 volunteers, they do everything from foster animals to fundraising. The group has saved thousands of animals in that time, helping on average about 650 each year.
“There are way too many animals in need and not enough carers,” Amanda said. “We don’t believe in euthanasia for healthy animals and we don’t have a shelter. We have a program called Pet Connect where the old owners can meet with the prospective new owners so the pet doesn’t have to go through the stress of being in a shelter.”
Amanda said the group had salvaged the little it could from the Curtin site, but would not be going back there. She said the site had been critical to the services the group provided.
“It’s from here that we provide food, bedding, toys, collars, parasite control and other essentials for pets in need and their families through our Pets Assist program and ensure our foster carers have the resources they need to care for many abandoned, sick and orphaned animals each year,” she said.
She said the group was now in need of a new building, and donations to buy replacement food and supplies for the animals. Anyone who can help the group can do so via the website.
The ACT Police spokesperson said officers were investigating the incident and urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 quoting reference number 7574405.
Loading ...
