THUGS armed with baseball bats smashed through the window of a flailing RSPCA branch's Hillingdon store.
Around 13 teenagers were caught on CCTV breaking through the two front windows of the RSPCA charity shop in Crescent Parade, Hillingdon.
The rabble targeted the shop, which supports the RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Kingston and District branch, at 9.45am on Sunday.
Chairwoman Irene Hansford said: "This was the last thing we needed. We really feel we're treading water up here. The animal intake has been horrendous. Because of the credit crunch we're getting loads of animals from people in middle management positions. The struggle is worse than ever. I don't understand why, out of all the shops there, they went for our window."
The branch including the Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, Clinic has been in dire straits since Christmas with around £180,000 needed to forestall closure.
After a Gazette campaign, the clinic's funds seemed to be improving.
But in recent months the branch has suffered a loss of £6,000 after money was pilfered from two store safes and two vans now need repairing costing £3,400.
The clinic has also seen an increase in abandoned animals and decrease in direct debit donations as residents tighten their purse strings.
Ms Hansford said: "We are insured but this is the second time this has happened in a year and we won't get the money immediately. We just can't afford shutters to stop it happening. We really are an essential service to Hillingdon borough and we need the support of the council and residents to stay open."
Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
