Local rescue shaken after alleged break-in attempt caught on camera

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A local animal rescue is asking for the community's help after someone allegedly tried to break into its building early Saturday morning. The entire incident was also caught on camera.

Ten Lives Club is a cat rescue and adoption group located on Lake Shore Road.

Marie Edwards, the founder and executive director of the rescue, said she was out of town when her phone started buzzing. It was a notification from her Blink Camera application.

"I was appalled," said Edwards. "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."

In the surveillance footage provided to WIVB News 4, you can see a group of four people, some wearing masks and others wearing hoods.

Edwards said they attempted to enter the Ten Lives Club building but also allegedly attempted to break into the neighboring building, which has sat empty for quite some time. The rescue is hoping to buy that property to expand its services and help even more cats in need.

"We're in negotiations to purchase it right now," said Edwards. "We don't need any damage or anything broken or our animals hurt."

The four individuals were caught on video allegedly attempting to enter the buildings, but Edwards said fortunately they weren't successful. They did, however, destroy two cameras after noticing them.

"They reached up to one of the cameras and tried to take it down," said Edwards. "They got some footage of their faces, so hopefully the police can work with that."

The incident has left staff members shaken and upset.

"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," said Kelly Sinclair, the rescue's community development manager.

Now, the rescue is stepping up security measures around the building to try and prevent something like this from happening again.

"We have somebody going over and putting up boards on all of the windows," said Edwards. "We're going to be extra vigilant here at our building. We've let all of our staff know to make sure everything is checked before they walk out. Make sure the lights are on. We went and got a stadium light for next door so if anyone pulls up, the stadium light goes on."

Ten Lives Rescue says it is looking for some help with getting an upgraded camera system as well. If you'd like to make a donation, you can do so here.

If you have any details about the incident or recognize the people in the surveillance video, you are asked to contact the Hamburg Police Department. You can do so at 716-364-2035.