ST. LOUIS – A pet rescuer had her car stolen while she was trying to help others in need.
If that sounds familiar, it should. It is actually the third theft that has happened to a pet rescue agency in less than two months.
Catherine Stanton has been volunteering with the South City non-profit organization, St. Louis City Kitties.
“These animals are a lifeline for them,” said Stanton. Her volunteer route takes her to the homes of elderly residents, who need extra support caring for their pets and themselves. Stanton brings cat food, toys, and in some cases, toiletries and food for their owners.
"You can see, in some instances, they’re more focused on caring for their pets than themselves,” said Stanton.
On Saturday, Stanton parked her at the intersection of Texas and Utah. She put her emergency lights on and took three bags of supplies from her trunk. It was her third delivery of the day.
"The woman was 30 feet away,” she said. “I looked around the neighborhood. I was conscious of where I was."
But, when Stanton walked toward her car, she was stopped in her tracks.
"The car came up, clipped the truck, I turned and looked and then somebody came from this direction jumped in the car [Stanton’s car] and left."
Stanton was driving a black Toyota Rav 4, license plate number SA3EIF. Stanton said her keys were still inside.
"There's no way to explain it when you have a volunteer using her own vehicle at her own expense,” said Barbara Nelson, the Executive Director of St. Louis City Kitties. “Trying to help someone and someone takes her car and kitty food for the next client."
This is not the first time that something like this has happened. Since March, two other pet rescue volunteers have had their cars stolen. One was in Moline Acres, the other in the City at Pennsylvania Ave. The car involved in the Moline Acres theft was eventually found. However, the cat inside is still missing.
As for Stanton, she said this crime does not hurt her, because she will eventually get her car back or buy a new one.
"But, it’s the people who really need these services that are harmed by it,” she explained.
Stanton told 5 On Your Side that she didn’t get a good look at the people who took her car. But, that there was someone on the street who saw the whole thing happen. He or she provided a detailed description to police.
