Staff and animals at Stutterheim SPCA were evacuated on Monday morning, but not before the building was burgled and ransacked by rioters.
The animals have been taken to a safe place outside the strife-torn town.
Stutterheim has been under a protest siege since October 16 when rioters torched four municipal buildings and a clinic.
King William's Town police spokesperson Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said the police were investigating a case of robbery and public violence.
Mawisa said the police were called by distressed employees of the SPCA after the protesters stormed the building, threatening to burn it down.
Stutterheim SPCA vice-president Kathy Scholes said the rioters burst in at 10.30am and terrorised two women staffers who live on the property.
Mawisa said the women fled to a police station to seek help.
“Police went to the SPCA with the staff and found the place burgled. No arrest has been made yet.”
Scholes said two women were robbed of electrical appliances, clothes and blankets.
Stutterheim SPCA has a staff complement of six.
“Our biggest concern was the safety of our animals. The SPCA and staff have lost everything and damage to the buildings is extensive,” Scholes said.
She claimed the protesters, who started off burning tyres close to the SPCA, had earlier demanded money from the two women.
They managed to get into the house where they ransacked and destroyed an office.
Scholes appealed to the public for help to rebuild their prefab structure.
Three suspects have been arrested for public violence in Stutterheim.
Anyone who is willing to help the SPCA can contact Kathy Scholes on 082-568-4096.
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