The Morning Star - Sunday, January 22, 2006

Puppy stolen from SPCA
Cats released from cages during break-in

by Richard Rolke
Morning Star Staff

The Vernon SPCA is on high alert after someone stole a puppy from the shelter.

Big Mama, an eight-week-old mixed breed, was taken during a break-in at the Haney Road shelter Wednesday.

"You never know what kind of home she'll get," said Amber Gordon, a kennel attendant.

The female puppy had only been surrendered to the SPCA the day before, with a brother and sister. She earned the name Big Mama because she was the biggest.

Big Mama is a mix of border collie, red heeler and Akita.

"She looks like a fuzzy border collie," said Gordon, who has been worried about the dog ever since the theft.

"I was fairly upset. I've really been teared up."

The Vernon RCMP have been made aware of the break-in.

"Hopefully someone will see the puppy and report it to the police," said Bernice Demchuk, shelter supervisor.

And stealing Big Mama wasn't the only problem caused by the thieves.

While inside the shelter, they also let most of the cats out from their cages.

"Some of them got into scraps," said Demchuk.

"We're also worried about possible pregnancies because some of the males are not neutered and females are not spayed."

All of the cats were recovered, except for one which is believed to have got up into the ceiling.

"They did traumatize the animals. It's really sad," said Demchuk.