PetSmart Charities® Provides Emergency Relief Assistance to Alleged Puppy Mill Rescue in Louisiana
Officials report more than 100 dogs in need of immediate help
PHOENIX (June 4, 2010) —PetSmart Charities has provided emergency relief grant funding to St. Francis Animal Sanctuary after an animal rescue in Robert, La., where more than 100 dogs and puppies were rescued from an alleged puppy mill.
The animals were reportedly being housed in extremely cramped crates and cages in inches of their own waste and were suffering from varying medical problems, some requiring immediate medical attention, according to rescuers on scene. Many had never lived outside their wire cages. Additionally, 14 horses, seven goats, seven roosters and two ponies were also on the scene and in need of assistance, rescuers reported.
PetSmart Charities provided $11,600 in grant funding to assist with medical care, including spay/neuter surgeries and food for the rescued pets. The PetSmart® store located in Covington, La. provided donated supplies.
“In these situations, PetSmart Charities provides emergency relief assistance to the lead agency so its staff can rehabilitate and care for the rescued pets,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “Our hope is that over time, the pets rescued from alleged cruelty cases, low-quality breeders and hoarders can be rehabilitated and placed into responsible, caring homes.”
The dogs rescued included Chihuahuas, miniature pinschers, Pekingese and rat terriers.
PetSmart Charities is a nonprofit organization and the largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America. 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 like all pets, animals rescued from these types of situations deserve lifelong, loving homes.
Members of the public who would like to support PetSmart Charities’ Emergency Relief program can make a tax-deductible donation in one of two ways:
- Make a credit card donation via the PetSmart Charities Web site at: http://www.petsmartcharities.org/donate/emergency-relief.php;
- 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 program efforts when pets are affected by natural and man-made disasters.
Learn more about the Emergency Relief program at http://www.petsmartcharities.org/programs/emergency-relief.php.
About PetSmart Charities®
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) 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. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).
