Edmonton animal rescue says thieves stole cash, electronics

Organizers at a south side animal rescue say they’re out $1,200 in cash after a brazen daytime theft, which was caught on security camera footage.

“We had about $1,200 in cash and cheques in there. We also had a corporate credit card, as well as a Moneris machine — which is a point of sales machine — as well as some adoption tablets and other odds and ends we had in there,” explained Leigh Melligan, the operations manager of the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) in Edmonton

Melligan says video footage from Wednesday shows two women inside the south Edmonton animal rescue, later leaving with a safe while staff were busy attending to animals in the back.

“The two ladies came into the building, sort of wandered around a little bit and seemed to look like they clocked in to that the door was open on our closet. In about the span of three minutes or so they were able to go into the room, take the safe and exit the building.”

Thankfully those were the only items taken, Melligan confirmed no animals were hurt. Edmonton police said through an email they continue to investigate the theft.

Melligan says since the shelter posted about the theft on social media, the community has stepped up with donations. But adds the theft ultimately impacts the animals they try to save.

“The programs that we run and the animals help are always there, and it’s really challenging when we have situations like this, because we’re always trying to help and do more.”