It is very disheartening when one is the victim of theft, and the recent break-in at Pandora’s Box has left us here at Ferret Shelter Northwest supremely disappointed. Very little was taken because they leave no cash in the register at night, and money was apparently what the burglar sought.

What was taken, however, was the small amount of cash in both the shelter’s small donation box and Vashon Island Pet Protector’s acrylic donation container. Aside from the loss of the cash, the boxes were smashed beyond use. Unfortunately, they are inordinately expensive, likely worth more than the cash inside them.

VIPP and ourselves do our best to care for unwanted animals here on Vashon, and every penny counts. The heartlessness of such a theft is more disappointing than the theft itself. I hope the perpetrator(s) can find some help. I expect there was some desperation involved, which often involves a drug problem. There are resources for such help, and I hope this person (or persons) can get it together enough to rehabilitate their lives before it ends very badly for them.

— Michael FitzPatrick,
Director of Ferret Shelter Northwest