Feds Corroborate PETA Findings at Animal Dealer That Supplied Petco

USDA Confirms Suffering and Death at Animal Mill Following Viral Video Exposé

For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2016

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has just posted its 10-page inspection report of Holmes Farm, a massive Pennsylvania animal mill and the subject of a recent video exposé by PETA. The inspection took place in early January as an initial response to evidence that PETA presented revealing that animals were frozen alive, stacked in filthy wire-floored cages, and deprived of adequate food, water, and veterinary care. The report indicates that USDA inspectors found at least 117 instances of violations of 14 federal laws.

Holmes Farm, which had contested the USDA’s findings and remains under federal investigation, is a supplier of guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, gerbils, and other small animals to hundreds of stores. PETA’s video has gone viral, receiving more than 5 million views online, and more than 120,000 people have participated in the organization’s action alert calling on Petco to stop selling animals. Petco announced that it terminated its relationship with Holmes Farm.

“Holmes Farm is just one of the suppliers to Petco that have been exposed for systemic neglect of and cruelty to animals,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “It’s now time for consumers to speak up with their dollars and pledge not to buy anything from stores that sell live animals.”

According to the USDA inspection report, 36 animals “were found in need of veterinary care” for “hair loss, eye abnormalities, loose stool/diarrhea, and general lethargy/depression.” Sixteen dead animals were found among live animals and “in various states of decomposition.” When officials with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) “questioned [Holmes Farm] personnel in charge of performing euthanasia and the methods which they were trained, the reply was that the procedure was ‘learned on the internet.’” Additionally, a “strong ammonia smell” in a hamster room “began to … burn APHIS officials’ eyes and noses.”

This was PETA’s fifth exposé revealing the abusive conditions endured by animals who are bred for sale at big-box pet store chains. PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—is urging consumers never to buy pet supplies from retailers that sell any animals.

Broadcast-quality video footage and photographs from PETA’s investigation are available. For more information, please visit PETA.org.