UPDATE: Police arrest pair connected to PAWR pilfer
The operators of a local animal shelter and rescue group are putting an end to a popular donation program after someone allegedly stole $400 worth of empty bottles from their property.
On Monday, Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) posted security camera footage on its Facebook page, showing two people appearing to steal dozens of empty liquor containers from the organization's Chatham property. According to a timestamp on the footage, the incident took place around 4:30 a.m. Saturday.
According to Myriam Armstrong, operations manager with PAWR, they've been doing the bottle drive style fundraiser since 2016. Members of the public were encouraged to drop off their empty bottles and cans and PAWR would deposit them weekly at the Beer Store in exchange for cash. The money was then put towards extra vet care, treatment for animals and special surgery.
"I don't know if they realize or if they care to realize but, it's not only affecting us, it's affecting every single animal that comes through our doors," she said. "We invest incredible amounts of money to provide the best vet care possible."
Armstrong said the bottle drive was a popular way to raise money and would result in hundreds of dollars worth of empties brought in each month. However, Armstrong said they had been hit by thieves before who were after the empties. So much so that they had to build a secure compound to store the bottles when the organization moved into the new Chatham-Kent Animal Shelter earlier this year. Armstrong said it's proved to not be enough to deter thieves, alleging that the pair on the weekend were able to break into the secured area and then some.
"With the new shelter, we did mention our concerns to the architect who designed a locked area for us to keep [the empties], but apparently it's just not enough," said Armstrong. "We actually noticed the compound had been emptied, but we actually didn't notice they actually stole donations that are not locked up, the donations that people [bring after hours]. So, they cleared out both."
Armstrong said PAWR will no longer be accepting bottle donations because of the trouble it is bringing, a decision that wasn't an easy one to make.
"Unfortunately I think we're going to stop taking empties for now because it just attracts a lot of visitors at night... It is disheartening because we're trying to do a good thing. It seems like every time something isn't locked up, it gets taken," said Armstrong. "We've already had our garbage bins stolen a few months ago and had to order new ones."
In the meantime, Armstrong said anyone interested in donating to PAWR can do so online and in-person and added that they are always accepting supplies and pet food. Although the theft was hard for the organization, Armstrong said they are overwhelmed and thankful for the support they received from the public after posting the video, which garnered nearly 1,000 shares and over 115 comments within two hours of being posted.
Police confirmed with Blackburn News that the incident is being investigated but have not provided any further details. More information is expected to be released at a later time.
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