MISSOURI COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SHELTER Lake Sun Leader - News

Dogwood Animal Shelter burglarized; computer records of patrons, donors missing, manager warns of fraud

AMDEN COUNTY - Staff and volunteers at the Dogwood Animal Shelter are picking up the pieces after a break-in this weekend.

The perpetrator(s) cut a screen and came in through a window in the kennel sometime between Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning, shelter manager Michelle Miller said. A few of the windows are usually kept open a crack to allow air circulation.

Once in, five computer towers, a computer monitor and a computer printer were stolen.

Miller said the surgery room was also trashed with expensive medicines and tools dumped on the floor.

'It's so incredibly malicious. It's like they knew what would cripple us the most and without regards to us or the animals, did it,' she said.

The towers held information on thousands of pet adoptions over the years. Miller said the paper backup is the only way they have to track adoptions for the time being.

What can't be replaced, however, are the names and addresses of donors, subscribers to the newsletters and pet owners who've been purchasing flea and tick or heartworm medicines for their pets from the shelter.

'I'm not even sure how many names we lost,' Miller said. 'But they're gone. Whoever did this stole the backup tower as well. It's heartbreaking. We operate off of donations from the community and that list is gone.'

With so many names and addresses in the wrong hands, Miller is warning residents to be suspicious of mail claiming it's from Dogwood Animal Shelter.

She said the shelter only sends mail from its address off Highway 54, and it will be a while before a new list can be generated.

'We have to start over with it,' she said. 'We're asking for as much cooperation and patience as possible. We are always accepting donations because there are now additional costs we have to cover, but we have to go about it in a different way now.'

Early Monday morning, Miller bought three new computer towers and a computer monitor to replace the ones stolen.

'We have to have them to do the minimal amount and keep the doors open,' Miller said. 'It's business as usual here, but we're shaken. The staff is rattled and the dogs can sense that, so they're rattled. Everybody is going to be on edge for awhile until we can get this sorted out.'

Though the burglar(s) entered through the kennel, Miller said none of the animals were missing or harmed.

'That's what really matters. I didn't come in and 130 dogs were out in the yard. I guess they took a little pity on us,' she said.

Miller said all windows will now stay closed and locked.

For donations or to re-add your name to the newsletter list, Miller is asking residents to call the shelter at 348-4411. She said she's also looking for volunteers for data entry to add adoptions into the new database.

Established in 1976, the Dogwood Animal Shelter is a no-kill facility that houses approximately 200 homeless dogs and cats each month. It offers low-cost spay and neuter services to the public with the intent of controlling the pet population.

Anyone with information on the break-in or missing computers is urged to call the Camden County Sheriff's Department at 346-2243.

Contact this reporter at deannaw@lakesunleader.com