NH Animal Rescue League Sees Influx Of Donations After Pet Food Theft
BEDFORD, N.H. (CBS) -- Despite having several hundred dollars worth of pet food stolen from their Bedford office, the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire says the donations that have come in since have "far exceeded our wildest expectations."
On Sunday morning, Bedford Police were called to the rescue league on Route 101 after receiving a report that cat and dog food had been stolen.
Police say surveillance video shows a man driving a dark-colored car to the site. He got out of the car and entered a screened-in area under an overhang, where he pushed in a screen and stole about 65 bags of food shortly after 1:30 a.m.
The rescue league took to their Facebook page on Sunday to let their followers know what had happened, and also to ask for the community's support.
"A day that began with sadness and shock, ended up filling our hearts over-the-top!" reads a Facebook post. "We are overwhelmed by the generosity of hundreds of people. You knew you could help, and you did!"
Monica Zulauf, president and CEO of the NH Animal Rescue League, says about 500 pounds of pet food was stolen and all that remained was a small bag of kitten food that wasn't nearly enough to feed the animals in the shelter.
But it wasn't long before the rescue league's parking lot filled up with people wanting to help restock their shelves.
"(There were) little kids with cat treats and families with entire pallets of food (that showed up)," she told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal on Monday. "People would come in and just tear up."
In addition to the food donations, there has also been a run on animal adoptions.
"Right now, we have two adoptable cats and one adoptable dog," says Zulauf. That's all that is left for pets needing forever homes, she added.
The organization says it's working on a plan to distribute the new donations to as many pets and families as possible.
Pet food donations can be made at the rescue league office, and monetary donations can be made on the rescue league's website.
As of Monday morning, no arrests had been made, but police continue to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bedford Police at (603) 472-5113.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports
