Manager charged with embezzling thousands from animal shelter thrift shop

KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) - An Eastern Carolina police department says the manager of an SPCA thrift shop pocketed thousands of dollars from the store.

“It’s just a really sad story that someone would take from animals that need this help. $4,000 would go along way. I think our cost per animal is about $150 per animal so that could’ve taken care of 20 animals for a month,” says Lenoir County SPCA Board Member, Randy Kelly.

The Kinston Police Department arrested Wanda Dail on an embezzlement charge.

Police said the woman stole more than $4,000 from Second Chance Thrift Shop.

Kinston Police Chief, Keith Goyette says, “I think it was around $4,500 or so over a two month period of time. The detective eventually did charge that particular person with embezzlement.”

The thrift shop on West Vernon Avenue is run by the Lenoir County SPCA, which is in the process of building a new animal shelter for Lenoir County.

“People in the community have supported us and I’d say we’re about 80% of our goal. We still have 10 months and a ways to go but we’re still well on our way,” says Kelly.

As a result, the thrift store is taking preventative measures Kelly told WITN. “We’re going to get a camera and some other things and have a secondary check on our deposits.”

Kinston Police encourage current and future customers to continue supporting the work SPCA does.

Goyette says, “I would not let this lone situation keep people from going to the SPCA thrift store. Those cats and dogs still need help. There’s a lot of volunteer work that goes into the SPCA.”

Kelly credits the hardworking and dedicated employees of the SPCA for reporting the alleged theft of funds before the situation got worse.

Officers say the embezzlement case remains open and anyone with information is asked to call the Kinston Police Department Tip Line at 252-939-4020.

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