The founder of an organization that pairs rescued farm animals with at-risk kids is crediting social media with locating the stolen vehicle she uses to help keep the farm running.
"Absolutely," Semiahmoo Animal League Inc.'s Keryn Denroche said Friday. "That one (Facebook post) looked like it was shared over 600 times. Definitely social media did it."
Denroche's Toyota RAV4 was taken from her Ocean Park cul-de-sac on Oct. 5, and she quickly put the word out on Facebook and Twitter, including a photo of the vehicle's rear window, which bears a distinctive decal with the SALI name and logo. She told Peace Arch News last Wednesday that she wanted anyone who saw the RAV4 "to know I'm not driving it."
However, the next evening Denroche was notified her vehicle had been spotted at the side of the road near 144 Street and 24A Avenue by a local business person familiar with the non-profit.
And while the news is good, Denroche said police have told her she won't get the Toyota back "for a couple weeks" – until after it has been processed for evidence. Longer, if the process recovers anything deemed of significance to the investigation.
Until then, "I'm still in limbo."
The vehicle is instrumental to SALI's operations.
"I pick up hay in it for the farm, I take animals to the vet with it, I pick up donated pet food…" Denroche said.
While she is able to use her husband's truck temporarily, a rental may be required if she can't get the RAV4 back soon.
Denroche described the theft as "just so ironic."
She established SALI as a means to help lead kids away from crime.
The experience has been one of few negatives for the organization, which last month celebrated its relocation to rural South Surrey.
The Sept. 12 Black Tails & Boots Gala – which raised $14,000 – "was so wonderful," Denroche said.
Guests were able to mingle with the farm animals, including a baby goat that arrived at SALI just two days prior.
Denroche said the kid was found in Surrey, in the back of an abandoned stolen car.
They named him Clyde, after one-half of the notorious Depression-era gangsters, Bonnie and Clyde.