The owners of an animal rescue centre in Leeds have been left reeling after a man brazenly stole money from its charity fund.
Owners of the rescue centre and cat café in Kirkgate, Leeds city centre, caught a man on CCTV loitering around the reception area of the business before he broke a box on the till containing cash. Customers donate the cash which is then used for the charity's cat welfare fund.
After sharing video footage on social media, Kitty Café said they had no doubt police would "love to get their paws" on the suspect. Sadly this is another setback for the business which saw their roof cave in last year - leaving its doors shut for months.
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Speaking about the theft on social media, a spokesperson for Kitty Café said: "As if Kitty Café Leeds needs any more drama, having only just reopened. Do you know this lovely chap who, without the good sense to cover his face, had clearly been stalking around outside waiting for the receptionist to pop off to assist customers before trashing our cat welfare donation box and stealing the kindly donated money.
"If you do know him feel free to drop a call to 101, I know West Yorkshire Police would love to get their paws on him." Customers said they were "disgusted" by what happened.
"That's low, really really low," @monokatt said on Instagram. @nordictash said: "This is awful. I'm so sorry."
Kitty Café had just recently reopened following "severe" damage. The café, where customers can drink coffee and stroke cute kittens, had to close in August after the roof collapsed.
The floor of the old Debenhams building collapsed into the café. Thanks to a fundraising page from customers and the administration team, a refurbishment was able to go ahead. Owners have reported the theft to West Yorkshire Police.
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