(copied and pasted from the local paper - they are pay-to-view)

<Side note: our local paper's online version allows users/readers to post
comments - on person posted that they thought it was Michael Vick (snicker)>

The Monroe County Humane Association collects donations to help animals of
all kinds. But lately, a snake has been helping himself to donations
collected at area businesses.

During the past few weeks, cans holding donations for MCHA have been
surreptitiously swapped for empty cans.

Bloomington police were called to the eastside Kroger store on Sept. 10
after a store clerk noticed a man who walked into the store and took the
donation can with money. A witness saw the man swipe the full can and set
down an empty one before leaving the store.

A store employee took note of the incident because that is not the procedure
used by MCHA volunteers who empty the cans. An employee followed the man,
who got into a white vehicle being driven by a woman with a baby in the back
seat.

Sarah Hayes, chief executive officer for MCHA, said other businesses have
alerted her staff to similar thefts.

"They were used to our regular volunteer that comes in and has an
authorization card," Hayes said. "They called us and said 'this just seems
odd.'"

Earlier this week, Hayes heard from Bruce's Marathon on the city's south
side, where an employee saw a woman take a can and leave an empty one.

"Marathon employees thought she was acting really suspicious," Hayes said.

Surprisingly, the woman even told the employee the cans were being targeted
by thieves, and offered that as an explanation as to why she was picking it
up.

Hayes said other businesses that display the cans have reported seeing the
same two people helping themselves to cans of money intended to help
animals.

Bloomington police officer John Kovach is investigating the thefts. Video
from the incident at Kroger has been released, and he is attempting to
contact other businesses to gather evidence on the duo suspected of taking
the cans.

Hayes prepared a memo to businesses to alert them to the thefts. She said
volunteers carry laminated identification cards. And for the thieves who
only think they're hurting animals, Hayes said one volunteer really looks
forward to learning how much money she brings in. Hayes said one volunteer
is from Stone Belt. The animal lover picks up donation cans each week and
waits to hear how much she's brought in before taking time to give treats to
the dogs.

"For people like that, it's a big deal," Hayes said.

Each year, MCHA raises about $3,000 from its donation cans, and it's hard to
tell how much money has been stolen, since not all businesses are aware it
is happening.

"Every penny makes a difference," Hayes said. "It really does."