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Petsmart Charities® Sends Emergency Relief Waggin’® Vehicle to Alleged Washington State Puppy Mill

Officials report more than 300 “Spitz-type” dogs in need of rescue

(Phoenix) – For the second time in one week, a PetSmart Charities® Emergency Relief Waggin’® vehicle is on the scene of a large-scale animal rescue – this time at an alleged puppy mill in Kennewick, Wash., where miniature white American Eskimo dogs (also known as Spitz-type dogs) were reportedly bred for sale in substandard conditions.

Witnesses on scene Wednesday described the conditions as “deplorable.”

The Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle is stocked with $60,000 worth of crucial supplies, including 26 pallets of dog food, wire crates, plastic carriers, bowls, bedding and leashes. The vehicle is also stocked with items such as fans, a generator, tents, a battery charger and lights to aid the animal rescuers on scene.  The 53’ trailer and its 16-ton cargo load departed the PetSmart® Distribution Center in Phoenix at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, bound for the Benton County (Washington) Fairgrounds where animal-rescue teams will operate an emergency animal shelter.

“We received a request for assistance from the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, which is working in cooperation with the Humane Society of the United States to bring an end to reportedly inhumane conditions at the facility,” said PetSmart Charities Manager of Emergency Grants Barbara Fought.  “Initial reports indicate that 300 or more Spitz-type dogs and puppies were being kept in very poor conditions and desperately needed assistance.”

PetSmart Charities is a nonprofit organization and the largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America.  It established its Emergency Relief Waggin’ program in March 2007 to help animals who are displaced and/or suffering as a result of natural or manmade disasters.

Manmade disasters include puppy mills – sub-standard breeding facilities where dozens or hundreds of dogs and puppies often live in neglectful conditions while producing puppies for sale – and animal-hoarding situations.  In some cases, the individuals involved in puppy-mill or animal-hoarding situations face criminal charges.

PetSmart Charities believes that like all pets, animals rescued from these types of situations deserve lifelong, loving homes, said Executive Director Susana Della Maddalena.

“Our hope is that over time, the pets rescued from cruelty cases, low-quality breeders and hoarders can be rehabilitated and placed into responsible, caring homes,” she said.

Just last week, PetSmart Charities assisted with a large-scale rescue in Cazenovia, Wis.  On May 20th, animal-rescue teams removed more than 350 animals including dogs, horses, fowl, livestock and other small animals from a self-described “animal rescue and sanctuary” in Wisconsin.  An Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle was on scene, ensuring that ample supplies were readily available.

“In addition to providing the food and supplies that the animals so desperately need, and key equipment for the rescue teams, we also dispatch a specially trained team of volunteers to meet the Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle on scene, unload the 16 tons of supplies, and set up the temporary animal shelter,” Della Maddalena explained.  “This enables animal rescuers to focus on removing the animals from often-neglectful conditions and immediately tend to their medical needs.  This type of well-executed, cooperative effort means that the helpless animal victims will get the assistance they require as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Members of the public who would like to support PetSmart Charities’® Emergency Relief Waggin’® program can make a tax-deductible donation in one of two ways:

1. Make a credit card donation via the PetSmart Charities Web site at: www.petsmartcharities.org/donate/emergency-relief.php;
2. Mail a check earmarked for “Emergency Relief” directly to:  PetSmart Charities, Attn: Emergency Relief; 19601 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz., 85027.

Funds raised will be used to aid pets affected by this and future Emergency Relief Waggin’ program efforts when pets are affected by natural and man-made disasters.

Learn more about the Emergency Relief Waggin’ program at http://www.petsmartcharities.org/programs/emergency-relief.php

About PetSmart Charities, Inc.
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 $87 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 3.5 million pets. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working to help find a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit http://www.petsmartcharities.org/ or call 1-800-423-PETS.