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Emergency Relief Waggin’ Dispatched to Cedar Rapids Today With Much-Needed Supplies

PHOENIX - (June 13, 2008) – The Valley’s own PetSmart Charities today dispatched one of its Emergency Relief Waggins’ stocked with emergency pet supplies to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to help the pet victims of catastrophic flooding.

The 53-foot trailer contains enough pet products, food and supplies to support up to 500 companion animals.  The trailer was dispatched from PetSmart’s [Nasdaq: PETM] Ottawa, Illinois distribution center loaded with food, crates, beds, bowls and other items required for the animal relief effort.   It will be at the Kirkwood Community College. Additionally, PetSmart Charities has donated pet food and supplies to the City of Waverly, Iowa, the Brown County Humane Society in Indiana, Morgan County Humane Society in Indiana, and the Dodge County Humane Society in Wisconsin. The nonprofit agency’s Midwest Rescue Waggin’ has also transported animals from Morgan County Humane Society in Indiana to the Wisconsin Humane Society to make space for pets impacted by the floods. 

 About the Emergency Relief Waggin® Program “We introduced our Emergency Relief Waggin® program in March 2007 to assist the animal victims of natural or man-made disasters,” said Susana Della Maddalena, Vice President & Executive Director of PetSmart Charities.  “We certainly want to do our part to help the innocent animal victims of this disaster, and understand that pet lovers right here in the Valley, across Arizona and throughout the United States want to help, too.  Because of the ER Waggin’ program, we can ensure that supplies and support are readily available to companion animals in need.”

The program consists of six, 53-foot semi-trailers – including two in Phoenix – that are pre-loaded with donated emergency supplies for pets.  Each trailer contains crates, bowls, leashes, collars, litter, food, tents, fans, a generator, and various other emergency-related items to provide care for up to 500 pets.  The trailers are strategically stationed at various PetSmart distribution centers throughout the U.S.  They can be ready for dispatch to the designated lead animal welfare agency responding to a disaster at any location in the continental U.S. within 48-72 hours of an approved request.

How can Valley pet lovers help out?

Valley of the Sun pet lovers can make a tax-deductible donation to help support pet victims of the Midwest flooding and future disasters in one of two ways:

·        Donate on line via the PetSmart Charities web site at: www.PetSmartCharities.org

·        Donate directly to:                                      PetSmart Charities, Attn: Emergency Relief
                                                                  19601 North 27th Avenue
                                                                  Phoenix, AZ 85027

(Please write "Emergency Relief" in the memo section on the check.)

PetSmart Charities provides immediate emergency relief funding and supplies to assist pets affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, fire and other natural disasters.  PetSmart Charities also provides emergency relief for pet victims of man-made emergencies including pet hoarding situations and puppy mill rescues. Funds raised will be used to aid pets affected by this rescue and other future disasters.

NOTE TO MEDIA:  Two of PetSmart Charities’ ER Waggins’ currently are housed at the Phoenix distribution center, located at 7650 W. Latham in Phoenix 85043 (near 75^th Avenue and I-10).  For video/photos of the vehicles, and to see the supplies on board, please contact Trish Spencer on her cell phone at (602) 363-0273 to arrange for a tour.  

About PetSmart Charities, Inc.

Phoenix-based PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities has funded more than $70 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and, through its in-store pet adoption program, has helped save the lives of more than 3.2 million pets.  To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working to help find a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit www.petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.