Animal welfare charity's volunteer team dismayed after collecting tin full of vital donations is stolen

A Paignton charity has had an unwanted Christmas 'present' - a theft.
The team at South Devon Cats Rehoming, based in Hyde Road, are counting their losses after a collecting tin was stolen by a mean-spirited offender.
Volunteer Dave Gibson said: “The charity has no paid staff and is run entirely by volunteer staff from our charity shop.
“The shop has had a collecting tin stolen from its front counter. The thief cut through a cord attaching it to the counter.
“He then made off. The police were called and are now dealing with the matter.”
Mr Gibson added: “We wanted the community to know. We are not sure exactly how much was in the box, but we estimate about £25.
“That loss would prevent us taking in some unwanted cats in need of help and paying for the upkeep of our shop.”
The small charity takes in unwanted cats, ensures that are neutered, vaccinated and microchipped and then found a suitable home.
It says: “We have a thorough adoption process and look to find the right home for the particular cat and also the right cat for the home.
“It is all done on an individual basis. We do not have a cattery but our cats are kept in volunteers’ homes, assessed for temperament, likes and dislikes and then advertised and a permanent home found.
“All the people working for the charity are volunteers and no-one is paid.
“We have a shop which is what funds our enormous vet bills and also the high food/litter bills for the cats with us.”
The hard-working volunteers at the charity welcomed donations to support their work.
The charity says: “We have a number of cats in our care, which are in temporary accommodation. This puts a great strain on finances, hence we are reliant on the generosity of the local community.”
To support the charity, email: southdevoncats@gmail.com