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

Officials report more than 450 dogs in need of rescue

(Phoenix) – PetSmart Charities® has dispatched its Emergency Relief Waggin’® vehicle to the scene of a large-scale animal rescue in Montague, Texas, where more than 450 dogs and puppies were rescued from an alleged puppy mill.

Initial reports indicate that responders found typical puppy mill conditions and many of the dogs were suffering from skin and eye infections as well as other medical ailments.

The Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle is stocked with $60,000 worth of crucial supplies, including dog food, wire crates, plastic carriers, bowls 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 Ennis, Texas on Saturday, bound for Fort Worth. The animal-rescue teams will operate an emergency animal shelter in warehouse space donated by Chesapeake Energy.

Dogs rescued from the facility included Boston terriers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa apsos, dachshunds, Australian cattle dogs, huskies, beagles, rat terriers, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Chihuahuas, basset hounds, Akita Inus, standard poodles, American Eskimos and cocker spaniels.

“We received a request for assistance from the Montague County Sheriff’s Department, which is working in cooperation with the Humane Society of North Texas to bring an end to reportedly inhumane conditions at the facility,” said PetSmart Charities Manager of Emergency Grants Barbara Fought. “This is our ninth deployment of the Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle this year.”

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 man-made disasters.

Man-made 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 all pets, including the 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.”

“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 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 $88 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 3.6 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.