"We're devastated about it and we're desperate to get it back. It will affect all the women and children who come here," residential services worker Kerri Oliver said yesterday.
"Most of them arrive with no vehicle, no car seat, no pram.
They come with nothing and it's too hard for them to lug their child around, so we need it.
"There's nothing down there now, so everyone's missing out."
The buggy was donated by Wellington company Phil and Teds Mountain Buggies following an Otago Daily Times feature about the women's refuge which was published in January.
"They even couriered it down to us for free.
"We can hardly turn around to them now and say: 'Oh, sorry, someone's stolen it. Can we have another one?"' Ms Oliver said.
"It's hard to think someone's taken it from a charity, too.
"No-one needed to steal one. If someone had said they needed a pram, we would have put out a donation call to get them one," she said.
The donated buggy had a red "Buggies for Good" patch embroidered on the hood and had a recommended retail price of $1049.
"If someone has got it, please just put it on our doorstep, no questions asked," Ms Oliver said.
"The police have been notified, but if we find it before the police then we'll be happy."
