QUINCY — The Claws & Paws animal shelter was burglarized while animals were inside last weekend.

“It violated our rights and the animal’s rights to feel safe there,” shelter President Theresa O’Brian said. “The most important thing of all is none of our volunteers or animals were harmed in any way.”

The suspect or suspects entered the shelter by breaking the front door, O’Brian said. An interior door leading to an office space was also broken. Both doors were locked.

“They broke our doors down and took us for everything we had,” shelter volunteer Holly Wyatt said.

Computer equipment, copy machine, paper shredder, medical supplies, cat food, dog food, puppy food, kitten food and kitty litter were stolen, O’Brian said. Several other things were rummaged through including an empty cash box.

“It was just a shock,” she said.

There were five dogs and 19 cats at the shelter at the time of the burglary, O’Brian said.

Volunteers found cats hiding under blankets.

“Obviously they seemed traumatized,” she said. “We had to coax them out.”

The animals remained at the shelter after the incident. O’Brian said a security surveillance system will be installed to hopefully prevent another burglary in the future.

Due to the theft, the shelter is extremely low on supplies. Grant County Animal Outreach plans to donate blankets and food, she said.

To donate supplies including dry and wet food and litter, contact O’Brian at 509-760-7967.

Money donations can also be mailed to the shelter at 18673 Rd. 9 NW, Quincy, WA 98848. Donations can also be taken to the shelter Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

“I can’t imagine what kind of person would do this,” she said. “It shocked all of us. We hope the police will catch whoever did this.”

The shelter will be closed during the holidays. Adoptions can still be done by appointment by calling Wyatt at 509-289-9210.