PetSmart Charities

PetSMart Charities® Sends Emergency Relief to Scene of Alleged Puppy Mill in Maryland

An Emergency Relief Waggin’® vehicle departed the PetSmart® Distribution Center in Hagerstown, Md., on Thursday, February 5, 2009, at the request of officials from Wayne County Animal Control. The Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle arrived Friday morning and set up operations at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Dudley, N.C. The vehicle is stocked with 16 tons of supplies, valued at $60,000, including dog food, wire crates, bedding, bowls and leashes. The vehicle also provides items such as fans, a generator, tents, a battery charger and lights to aid the animal rescuers on scene. Wayne County Animal Control officials estimate that 300 small-breed dogs were being housed in poor conditions and in need of veterinary care.

“Being able to provide assistance to neglected animals is critical following these types of rescue situations. Unfortunately, animals don’t always receive humane care at some high-volume, low-quality breeding operations, and this level of intervention is necessary to prevent further suffering,” said Susanna Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. “PetSmart Charities created its Emergency Relief Waggin’ program to help out after large-scale manmade and natural disasters. We hope that our assistance in this case will enable these puppies and dogs to get the care they need so they can eventually be placed in lifelong, loving homes.”

According to rescuers on scene, the dogs were mainly Lhasa Apsos, Shih-Tzus and Chihuahuas that were allegedly being bred and sold. Many of the dogs were emaciated, had untreated lacerations, severely matted fur and obvious skin and eye infections. They were being housed in unheated cages inside unventilated barns and outhouses, rescuers reported.

Officials with Wayne County Animal Control carried out the rescue effort, along with staff and volunteers from the Humane Society of the United States and United Animal Nations.

“We are receiving a growing number of requests for Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicle support for these types of rescues,” said Della Maddalena. “Our Emergency Relief Waggin’ program was established in 2007 to assist the animal victims of natural and manmade disasters nationwide. Hopefully the publicity generated by these types of events will educate prospective Pet Parents about the source of many pet shop puppies and other puppies ‘for sale,’ and prompt them to make more educated choices, or consider adopting, when choosing to bring a puppy into their home.”

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:

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

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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 $70 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,