Urgent: Local Animal Rescue Targeted in Break-In Attempt

URGENT UPDATE: A local animal rescue in Hamburg, NY, is reeling after a shocking break-in attempt was caught on camera early Saturday morning, October 21, 2023. The incident, involving a group of four individuals, has left the Ten Lives Club community shaken and seeking assistance.

Marie Edwards, founder and executive director of Ten Lives Club, received alarming notifications from her Blink Camera while out of town. “I was appalled,” Edwards stated. “It was very scary to see the camera and the people. I think they were around 18 to 20 years old.” Surveillance footage shows the suspects approaching the property, some wearing masks and hoods.

The group attempted to break into the Ten Lives Club building and also targeted a neighboring vacant property that the rescue is currently negotiating to purchase for expansion. “We don’t need any damage or anything broken or our animals hurt,” Edwards emphasized.

The alarming footage revealed that, although the suspects did not successfully enter the buildings, they vandalized two security cameras in an effort to conceal their identities. “They reached up to one of the cameras and tried to take it down,” Edwards explained. Fortunately, the cameras captured images of their faces, which may assist the Hamburg Police Department in their investigation.

The incident has deeply affected staff members, with community development manager Kelly Sinclair expressing her disappointment: “The fact that someone would try and break in and possibly jeopardize the well-being of our cats is just heartbreaking.”

In response to the alarming breach, Ten Lives Club is enhancing its security measures. “We have someone putting up boards on all of the windows,” Edwards said. “We’re going to be extra vigilant here.” The rescue is also seeking community support to upgrade its camera system to bolster security.

Ten Lives Club urges anyone with information about the suspects or the break-in attempt to contact the Hamburg Police Department at 716-364-2035. Community members can assist further by donating to help improve security measures at the rescue.

This distressing event highlights the vulnerabilities faced by animal shelters and the urgent need for community vigilance. As Ten Lives Club works to ensure the safety of its animals, local residents are encouraged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.