Animal rescue facility robbed

Burglars hit thrift store two weeks after shelter’s van was stolen.

About two weeks after someone stole a van from an animal rescue organization, thieves broke into one of the nonprofit’s thrift stores.

Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters said its Lawrenceville thrift store was targeted by burglars, Channel 2 Action News reported. The Alpharetta-based nonprofit has thrift stores across metro Atlanta, which sell jewelry and other items to help raise funds.

“COVID has been difficult for us and for many other nonprofits, and then to experience theft, and not just one, it’s difficult,” Furkids founder Samantha Shelton told Channel 2.

In late June, someone stole a van from the nonprofit’s Johns Creek thrift store. The van was later found abandoned nd stripped of its parts in Monroe.

Investigations into the thrift store burglary and the stolen van are ongoing.

Despite the recent thefts, Shelton told the news station that several people, including a prominent YouTuber, have banded together to help out.

Furkids, which operates two no-kill animal shelters and several adoption centers in metro Atlanta, is desperately trying to adopt out dogs. As a result, Jimmy Donaldson, who is more well-known as MrBeast on YouTube, and his team are working to help the nonprofit adopt out more than a dozen of its dogs, Channel 2 reported.

“It’s really lifted our spirits and given us some hope during this time,” Shelton said.

Donaldson, whose YouTube channel has more than 38 million subscribers, is trying to help spread Furkids’ mission, MrBeast team member Tyler Conklin said.

“We’re putting up billboards, handing out flyers, doing interviews,” he told the news station. “We really want to see every one of these dogs adopted.”

Donations can be made online at furkids.org.

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