HOUSTON – A Heights animal shelter is boosting security measures after a break-in at its main facility.
The thief gained entry late Friday night while dozens of defenseless animals slept inside with no one to protect them. Fortunately, none of the animals were harmed.
Security camera footage captured a man riding his bike through the Friends for Life parking lot near the intersection of Yale and East 22nd street late Friday night. The video shows him looking into an office and walking around with a brick, but it does not reveal how he gained entry.
Fiona Layfield, the managing director at the shelter, said the intruder made off with a laptop, headphones and a few other small items valued at about $600. While those items can be replaced, Layfield’s main concern is the safety of the animals.
“Unfortunately, the last few months we have seen an escalation of robbery attempts at the shelter,” Layfield said. “But on Friday night, for the first time, they actually got into the shelter, into our main building. They broke a door. Thankfully, they didn’t steal much, but this is where our animals live.”
Previous break-ins include an incident in March when a man was caught on camera breaking into an exterior building and stealing multiple items, including a mini fridge. The shelter’s mobile adoption van window was also broken.
When asked about next steps, Layfield said the shelter has contracted a security firm for on-site monitoring. Guards are now present every night to protect the animals.
“We’re also talking to a lot of companies about getting more secure replacement doors. We’re getting fencing installed. We’re going to be doing remote video monitoring,” she said.
Layfield estimated the cost of these security upgrades will be at least $15,000.
The shelter currently houses 74 animals and cares for more than 300 in total. It is at full capacity, with dogs even housed in bathrooms and a nursing mother with five puppies in the shower room.
“We are absolutely at capacity,” Layfield said. “We’re helping as many animals as we can, but we are limited by resources. If we have to spend time, money and resources on extra security, that’s money that can’t be spent directly on the animals.”
KPRC 2 reviewed crime data from the Houston Police Department, which shows 67 burglaries or breaking-and-entering crimes in the area from Jan. 1 through May 29. That number is down from 74 during the same period in 2024.
If you would like to learn more about ways you can help the shelter you can visit: Friends For Life Animal Shelter • Houston, TX - Friends For Life Animal Shelter