PETCO Foundation, Royal Canin Help Animal Shelters Care for Animals in Tucson Hoarding Case

When more than 800 animals were rescued from a Tucson home in a hoarding case last week, local animal welfare groups sprung into action — and they got a helping hand from the PETCO Foundation and pet food company Royal Canin.

The rescued animals overwhelmed local shelter resources. And when the Humane Society of Southern Arizona called me, help was soon on its way.

I told them to send a staff member to PETCO’s Tucson Mall store to pick up kennels, beds, crates, food and toys, which were donated by the foundation. I explained the situation to our friends at Royal Canin, and they jumped right in with a major donation. By the next day 50 30-pound bags of Royal Canin Chihuahua food, 700 5-pound bags of Chihuahua and puppy food and 700 books about caring for Chihuahuas and small-breed puppies were on the way to Tucson to be provided to people adopting the rescued animals.

This was the largest seizure that I have been involved with, but thanks to the outpouring of community support and the generosity of everyone and every organization involved, all of the dogs rescued in Tucson have already found new families and homes. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona did a wonderful job of placing the animals.

PETCO customers nationwide can make a difference in the lives of animals affected by these types of situations by donating to the PETCO Foundation during its annual Spring A Pet campaign March 30 through May 4. Last year’s campaign raised nearly $1.7 million, with all donations staying in local communities.

Susan Rosenberg
National Adoptions Coordinator
PETCO Foundation