RAYTOWN, Mo. — A van used by Midwest Animal ResQ to transport pets and supplies was stolen Tuesday morning and later found destroyed, according to the organization.
According to a Facebook post from the group, security cameras captured a black Pontiac pulling into the shelter's parking lot on 63rd Street in Raytown around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. Several people got out, broke the windows of the 2014 Ford van, hotwired the vehicle and drove off, the post said.
Midwest Animal ResQ (MARQ) posted around 11 a.m. Tuesday that the van had been found, but it was set on fire and is a total loss.
The vehicle was located at 12th Street and Ball Lane in Kansas City, Kansas.
"I don't know how we will get much-needed pet supplies out to our community, I don't know how we will transport pets in need, I don't know how we will afford a replacement when we are already struggling with no fundraising and adoption events," wrote MARQ founder and director Erin Morse. "All I can say is I'm heartbroken."
According to the group, the van was insured, but the monetary value won't cover the actual replacement amount, and the deductible is high.
This is the second rescue group to have a vehicle stolen this year.
In February,someone stole Unleashed Pet Rescue's van from the shelter's parking lot in Mission. Four dogs were inside at the time.
The van was later found in KCK with all of the dogs still inside.
