Cat adoption centre closing anyway

The Niagara Falls Downtown Board of Management is working with police to determine who is responsible for a break- in that lead to the immediate closure of the Niagara Falls Humane Society’s cat adoption centre.

“We are working with police to help find the person or persons responsible for this highly suspicious crime,” said board member Phil Ritchie, of Keefer Developments.

Cats on Queen was located in a property owned by Ritchie’s company. He said the Niagara Falls Humane Society was planning to close the centre prior to the burglary.

“Although the tenancy had already served notice to us to consolidate their adoption resources at another location, Queen Street enjoys a safe and collaborative business environment and we will work to help resolve this unfortunate event.”

Ritchie said Keefer Developments was notified in December that the humane society was terminating its lease and would close Cats on Queen on Feb. 28.

Cathy Fugler, managing director at the Niagara Falls Humane Society, said the agency was committed to remaining open until the end of February.

“The decision to close immediately was made after the breakin last week,” she said.

The break- in was discovered Jan. 20.

A safe containing an undisclosed amount of money was stolen.

Board member Matthew Aiello said the BIA recognizes the challenges for businesses and the community when vandalism, burglary and community safety are not taken seriously.

“As a group we are working with police, building security, property owners and businesses to increase community safety by increasing resources on Queen Street.”

Ritchie agreed.

“We have a considerable about of video surveillance in the area and a core group of great and honest people that provide mutual vigilance and really do look after each other.”

Ritchie said the BIA allocated $ 12,000 in May to support the adoption centre’s relocation by off- setting leasing costs at the Queen Street location.

Fugler said the agency is grateful to members of the BIA for “their generous gift in helping us open Cats on Queen so quickly after our Niagara Square adoption centre had to close.”

“They helped us to continue to do what we do best — find forever homes for the cats entrusted into our care,” she said.

The animals at Cats on Queen have been relocated to a second adoption centre, For the Love of Cats, on Montrose Road.

The investigation into the break- in is ongoing.

Anyone with information can call Niagara Regional Police at 905- 688- 4111, ext. 2200 or Crime Stoppers at 1- 800- 2228477.