CARA vandalized

CARA posted this message on Facebook.


CARA friends and supporters, we feel the need to let our extended CARA family know that our shelter, the CARA compound, was broken into and vandalized last Tuesday night during the wee morning hours. We want you to know first and foremost that all of our animals are safe. They broke locks off of the pod and storage trailer, broke into our photo building and our office supply storage building. They also got through the locked exterior door into our cattery, but were not able to compromise the lock on the inside door that leads to the cats. And we are beyond thankful for that. They also broke into our shelter Toyota pickup, stealing the radio system, but were unable to steal the truck. Because of the damage they did trying, that vehicle will likely be totaled. They also cut through our fencing all the way around this 30,000 sq ft building. Most likely, they were attempting to get inside the main building through the dog yards. I can only imagine how intimidating a shelter with 250 barking dogs sounds in the middle of the night from the outside. We feel sure that is the only thing that kept them from going in. However, we were very distraught to get here this morning to find that they have been back. They cut fencing in different yards that was not previously cut, probably still looking for that magic door that they could enter that may be free of dogs.

Our biggest concern is for the safety of these precious animals. That is by far most important. Any material items they take, can be replaced. We are a non-profit and we struggle to even have the things needed to run a shelter of this size. Therefore, a lot of what we have is used, probably not worth much to someone like these thieves. But the lives of these babies are invaluable and we will protect them at all cost. We are in the process of getting quotes from alarm and surveillance companies, as what we have is ancient and really not worth much for protection. We are also getting quotes on fencing. And it's a lot of fencing. Truth is, the fencing we have, other than what is in our dog park, is pieced together and has been for the 10 years that we have been here. We have known for some time that we need new, more secure fencing just for daily use by employees and our dogs. At this point, it doesn't make much sense to try to patch and rig any further. If there is any possible way, we would like to finally get some decent fencing here.

And all of that brings me to this. You guys, we need help. We hate to ask for help and those of you who know us, know that we rarely do ask. I mean, very rarely. It has to be a very desperate situation. And this is a desperate situation. We have got to get in line with other local shelters and the surveillance and alarm systems they have in place to protect their animals. We are still in the dark ages and obviously, we have got to change that. We are going to scrape from every corner we can possibly find to take this on, but we sincerely cannot do this without help from our community. Anyone who feels led to help us move into this direction, please consider donating to our organization. We need your help now more than ever. These animals are top priority, whatever that means to keep them safe. If it means begging, then we have it to do. I apologize that we need to ask for help, but this time, there is no getting around it.

As always, thank you bigger than I can say for your support over the last 16 years. Everything we have been able to do, we've been able to do because of you. And we have never lost sight of that, nor will we ever. Thank you, in advance, for any help you can provide. (VH)  Donate here if you want to help.