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PS Charities sends E.R. Waggin' to Galveston

Loaded with pet food and supplies, the 53-foot ER Waggin’ will depart from Phoenix Distribution Center to help countless animals displaced by Hurricane Ike

(PHOENIX) – PetSmart Charities today is preparing to send desperately needed pet food – as well as supplies for animals and their rescuers – to the storm-torn Galveston area.  An Emergency Relief Waggin’ is currently being readied, and is expected to depart from the PetSmart® Distribution Center in Phoenix, 7650 W. Latham Street, Thursday September 18, 2008.           

 “We received a request for assistance from the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART), which is working to rescue and care for countless animals who became lost or displaced when Hurricane Ike struck,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities.  “This ER Waggin’ is bound for the Galveston County Animal Shelter in Texas City, Texas.”

This is the second ER Waggin’ deployed by PetSmart Charities this week to Texas in the aftermath of Ike; on Tuesday, PetSmart Charities sent much-needed help to Beaumont at the request of the TXSART to assist in supplying an emergency animal shelter and triage center.  And just two weeks ago, PetSmart Charities responded in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.

Each 53-foot ER Waggin’ is filled with pet supplies such as food, crates, bowls, litter and litter pans, beds and other necessities for animals who end up in the emergency animal shelters.  Rescuers in the area report a dire need for dog food, which is in particularly short supply.  Also on board the ER Waggin’ is emergency relief equipment for rescuers, such as a generator, fans, tents, a battery charger and lights.  The value of all supplies is at least $60,000 per Waggin’ load.

     “We established our Emergency Relief Waggin®’ program in 2007 to help the animal victims of natural and manmade disasters,” Della Maddalena said.  “We know that pets are very important members of many families, and they also need emergency assistance after disaster strikes.  We are committed to helping them by providing the supplies necessary to ensure their safe and humane care, and also to support the brave men and women who are working tirelessly to rescue and shelter them until they can be reunited with their families or re-homed if a reunion is not possible.”