Teri-Lynn Mulders, owner of Canine Campus, poses with three dogs. Mulders' dog daycare was the recent victim of a break and enter.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Teri-lynn Mulders

WEST KELOWNA - When Teri-lynn Mulders received a call this weekend telling her someone had broken into her new business in West Kelowna, she thought it was a joke. But as she's assessed the staggering damage and theft over the last few days, it's become painfully clear that this robbery was no joke.

"I was heartbroken," she said.

Mulders is the new owner of Canine Campus dog daycare on Louie Drive in West Kelowna. Mulders, who worked at the daycare for years, bought the building from the former owners in January. The daycare provides indoor and outdoor facilities for dogs to get exercise and socialize with other animals.

Mulders recently started renovations at the daycare. On the morning of April 20, workers she hired for the upgrades called her to tell her someone had stolen their tools. Mulders rushed to the daycare and discovered that tools weren't the only missing items.

Thieves had ransacked the daycare, taking a laundry list of property. Mulders said $2,500 worth of newly-order pet supplies were stolen along with a stockpile of dog food. The thieves broke into Mulders' office and swiped cash and her laptop. Mulders, who's been cleaning the daycare for days, said they keep learning about more items that have been stolen.

"A lot of stuff is gone," she said.

Mulders said the scariest part of the incident was finding out how the thieves got into the daycare. She was told there was no forced entry and none of the locks were picked. She was told police suspect someone with a key to the business could have gotten into the building.

Mulders has already changed the locks and filed a police report. She's keeping her eyes open for any stolen items that might go on sale online. She was completely stunned by the break in.

"I feel violated," she said.

Mulders said the community support since the incident has been overwhelming. She's received assistance from clients and community members as she tries to recovery from the break and enter and get back on her feet.

"I'm very thankful for the support," she said. "I'm glad no one got hurt (during the break in)."

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