UPDATE: A local animal rescue in Hamburg, NY is reeling after a shocking attempted break-in was caught on camera early Saturday morning, October 21, 2023. The Ten Lives Club, a dedicated cat rescue and adoption group, is urgently seeking community assistance to enhance their security after the alarming incident.
Marie Edwards, founder and executive director of the Ten Lives Club, was out of town when she received a notification from her Blink Camera app. “I was appalled,” Edwards stated. “It was very scary to see the camera and the people; I don’t even believe they were kids, I think they were 18- to 20-year-olds, starting to walk over to our property.”
The surveillance footage reveals a group of four masked individuals attempting to break into both the rescue’s building and a nearby vacant property. Edwards confirmed, “We’re in negotiations to purchase it right now. We don’t need any damage or anything broken or our animals hurt.”
Fortunately, the intruders were unsuccessful in entering the Ten Lives Club. However, they vandalized two security cameras in the process. “They reached up to one of the cameras and tried to take it down,” Edwards explained. “They got some footage of their faces, so hopefully the police can work with that.”
Staff members are shaken by the event. Kelly Sinclair, the rescue’s community development manager, expressed her outrage: “The fact that someone, or multiple people, would try and break in and possibly jeopardize the well-being of our cats is just disappointing, heartbreaking, and we’re pretty angry, to be honest.”
In response to this security breach, the Ten Lives Club is taking immediate action by reinforcing their building. “We have somebody going over and putting up boards on all of the windows,” Edwards noted. They are also implementing increased vigilance and lighting measures to deter future incidents.
The rescue is actively seeking donations to upgrade their camera system, stressing the importance of community support. If you would like to contribute, you can find donation information on their website.
Authorities are urging locals who may have information or can identify the individuals in the surveillance video to contact the Hamburg Police Department at 716-364-2035. This community-focused rescue is determined to protect its vulnerable feline population and prevent further incidents.
As developments unfold, the Ten Lives Club remains committed to safeguarding their animals while looking for ways to enhance their security measures. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation.
