PetSmart cuts ties with rodent dealer under federal abuse probe

PetSmart, the Phoenix-based retailer, said it will end its ties to a rodent dealer cited for multiple infractions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture during an inspection earlier this year.

The federal agency listed dozens of violations at Holmes Farm Inc. in Barto, Pa., during a January inspection, following an undercover investigation launched late last year by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA.

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USDA uncovers widespread abuse at pet store rodent supplier

The federal agency listed dozens of violations at Holmes Farm Inc. in Barto, Pa., during a January inspection, following an undercover investigation launched late last year by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA.

The USDA posted a 10-page, single-spaced report last week detailing unsanitary conditions, improper recordkeeping, numerous dead or diseased animals and other problems at Holmes' facility northwest of Philadelphia that raised hamsters, chinchillas, guinea pigs and other animals for sale in stores, including those operated by PetSmart, one of Arizona's largest employers.

"When we first learned of the allegations made against Holmes, we suspended operations while conducting our own internal investigation," the company said in an email sent to The Arizona Republic.Holmes contested some of the USDA findings, but those comments weren't included in the agency's report. The company didn't return an earlier phone call to The Republic.

PETA has launched a series of undercover investigations of animal suppliers to pressure large retailers to stop purchasing animals for sale or at least better monitor conditions at these facilities. Petco, one of PetSmart's major competitors, cut ties to Holmes Farm in January, soon after the government began its probe.