THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PetSmart Charities is on the scene of a large-scale animal rescue effort in Wisconsin, ensuring hundreds of rescued pets have enough food and supplies.

The animal-rescue effort began yesterday and continued today in Cazenovia, Wis., where more than 350 animals including dogs, horses, fowl, livestock and other small animals were taken from a self-described “animal rescue and sanctuary.”

PetSmart Charities dispatched its Emergency Relief Waggin’ on May 15 from the PetSmart(R) Distribution Center in Ottowa, Ill. at the request of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The vehicle is set up at the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wis., where rescuers are caring for the animals.

The vehicle is stocked with 16 tons of supplies, valued at $60,000, including 26 pallets of dog food, wire crates, plastic carriers, bowls and leashes. The vehicle also comes with fans, a generator, tents, a battery charger and lights to aid the animal rescuers on scene.

“Our Emergency Relief Waggin’ program offers assistance in these situations to help pets who need immediate care and attention,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. “In many cases, these pets will experience, for the first time, what it’s like to be well fed, comfortable, clean and cared for. Our hope is that over time, the pets rescued from cruelty cases, low-quality breeders and hoarders can be rehabilitated and placed into the caring homes they deserve.”

The rescued animals include Scottish terriers and Labrador mixes. The dogs were reportedly suffering from serious medical ailments and housed in feces-ridden, unheated barns and outdoor structures. Some of the dogs had severely matted fur and serious skin infections, witnesses said.

“Seeing animals subjected to this level of neglect is truly heartbreaking,” added Della Maddalena. “We applaud the efforts of the local and national animal and law enforcement agencies involved in this rescue operation.”

The animals are being transported to the nearby emergency shelter set up by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and United Animal Nations (UAN) at Dane County Humane Society.

Once at the shelter, the dogs will be checked by a team of veterinarians and given any necessary immediate medical care.

PetSmart Charities established its Emergency Relief Waggin’ program in 2007 to assist the animal victims of natural and manmade disasters nationwide.