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Petsmart Charities® Sends Emergency Relief Waggin’® Vehicle to Dog Fighting Rescue in Missouri

Officials report more than 400 dogs in need of assistance

(Phoenix) – For the 10th time this year, PetSmart Charities® has dispatched its Emergency Relief Waggin’® vehicle to the scene of a large-scale animal rescue – this time a dog fighting raid and rescue in St. Louis, Mo.

The Humane Society of Missouri, working with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorney, coordinated the rescue and sheltering of dogs associated with multiple suspected organized dog fighting operations. It is reportedly the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.

The Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle is stocked with $60,000 worth of crucial supplies, including 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 Ottowa, Ill. on Friday, bound for the Humane Society of Missouri’s location in St. Louis, where animal-rescue teams will operate an emergency animal shelter.

“We received a request for assistance from the Humane Society of St. Louis,” said PetSmart Charities Manager of Emergency Grants Barbara Fought. “Reports indicate that 400 or more dogs from six states desperately need assistance.”

Dogs were seized from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Investigators from the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force provided the information that led to the investigation. The multi-location rescue and transport operation required the training and experience of professional animal handlers from the various animal-welfare organizations in addition to a variety of specialized animal transport vehicles. All animals will receive a complete veterinary examination and necessary on-going veterinary care.

PetSmart Charities, Inc. 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.

“We established our Emergency Relief Waggin’ program to help out after large-scale man-made and natural disasters,” said PetSmart Charities Executive Director Susana Della Maddalena. “Being able to provide assistance and supplies for the pit bulls who were part of this dog fighting ring is part of our mission to improve the quality of life for all companion animals.”

“Our hope is that over time, the pets rescued from cruelty cases, like this one can be rehabilitated and placed into responsible, caring homes,” Della Maddalena continued. “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.”

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 3.8 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.