The break-in happened at the Cat House on the Kings Adoption Center inside the Petco at Blackstone and Ashlan in Fresno. Cat House on the Kings is California's largest no-cage, no-kill lifetime cat sanctuary.
Volunteers from the cat house said whoever committed the crime gained access to Petco through the roof of the building. The theft happened early Friday morning and once inside they went to work looking for anything to steal.
Volunteer Ron Schreiber said whoever broke-in didn't steal anything from inside Petco, but once they got into the cat shelter they stole a donation jar with a few hundred dollars.
"That's our best estimate based on the cash from the payments from the spade and neuters and the checks that people have donated," Schreiber said.
Schreiber says none of the cats were hurt. He said each one of the felines need a good home and they didn't need anyone breaking into their haven and stealing from them.
"It's very disappointing because we're an organization here to help the community and help the animals and for them to take money out of the community and the animals we're trying to help is disappointing," Schreiber said.
Petco employees wouldn't comment on the exact details of the break-in but say they never thought a pet store would be a target for thieves. Schreiber said as a result of the crime they have changed the way they handle donations.
"The money is now removed from the office every night and Petco is taking some precautions as well, locking down the problem areas that the thieves were able to exploit," Schreiber said.
There were three office cats that were initially missing from the shelter. All three of the cats were found, two were hiding in the back of the store, and another was hiding inside.
If you have any information on the break-in you are asked to call the Fresno police department.
