Robbers and thieves damage Valley animal shelter

PHOENIX - Things are pretty doggone bad for a Valley animal shelter after a break-in hurt its mission to save homeless cats and dogs.

Phoenix police say someone hot wired the Halo Animal Rescue’s F-150 pickup truck and took off with it over the weekend.

The driver plowed through the shelter’s fence, destroying it in the process.

The Halo Animal Rescue is a non-profit near 35th Avenue and Camelback Road.

It does not make a lot of money. Shelter officials told ABC15 they depend on their Ford F-150 to rescue dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens, and bring them to their no-kill shelter.

The shelter’s volunteer coordinator, Guillermo Lopez, said they're not sure how they are going to be able to afford a new truck, or even repair their destroyed fence, which insurance will not cover.

"In my head I don't even think of [those responsible] as car thieves,” Lopez said. ”They're just animal abusers. They're doing harm to cats and dogs that we're trying to save, and the ones that are here."

Worse yet, a few days ago a couple of teens robbed Halo of their donation box.

Surveillance video shows one of the teens tugging on the box until the security chain breaks. He takes off as his friend holds the door.

Police are still looking for the robbers, as well as the truck thief.

Right now, there is no way to connect the two cases.

"We use that truck to save the lives of dogs and cats,” Lopez said. “There are already so many things going against us. We're fighting against time and illnesses; all these sorts of issues. Now something like this happens, and it can be really frustrating."

If you'd like to donate, HALO can be reached at (602) 971-9222.