Mt. Olive PetSmart kicks out dog/cat rescue group

MOUNT OLIVE – For the past four years, Eleventh Hour Rescue has operated an adoption center out of the PetSmart in Flanders, finding homes for more than 10,000 dogs and cats according to Volunteer President and Founder Linda Schiller.

But that working relationship will come to an end this month, as Schiller was notified two weeks ago that the non-profit agency must vacate the store on Sept. 25.

Schiller said she felt “blindsided” by the news.

“I’m unhappy with how it was handled after being there for four years. We’re a good presence in the community and I thought things were going fine,” Schiller said. “They refused to give us a reason. There’s got to be a reason for this and it’s got to be something out of left field. I asked them if we did something wrong so we could make sure to not do it again. But they refused to give any information. I’m baffled.”

A letter to Schiller mentioned construction work at the store as the reason Eleventh Hour Rescue had to move out, but did not make any reference to if they would be allowed to move back in once construction was completed.

“PetSmart and PetSmart Charities have done a lot of good things, but they mishandled this situation,” Schiller said. “They keep saying they’re legally allowed to do this, but I’m not disputing that. I’m disappointed in how they treated us. Not even a phone call.”

PetSmart Charities spokesperson Steve Pawlowski issued a brief statement on the situation.

“PetSmart Charities’ Everyday Adoption Center (EAC) agreement with 11th Hour has expired,” Pawlowski said. “We’ve elected not to renew the agreement. The EAC will close in October for remodeling.”

Pawlowski did not say if the adoption center would reopen after remodeling, and if so, if Eleventh Hour Rescue would have the opportunity to reapply for the space. Additional comment was not provided by representatives for PetSmart Charities.

Eleventh Hour Rescue has been working with PetSmart for about a decade. They worked with the Rockaway store before the Flanders location opened.

The Flanders location had an “Everyday Adoption Center” built-in and offered Eleventh Hour Rescue the chance to use it, which they have for the past four years, Schiller said.

But last month, Schiller received a notice of termination of their contract.

Schiller said Eleventh Hour Rescue was originally to vacate by Sept. 17, but that date was pushed to Sept. 25 because they didn’t receive the email until Aug. 25 and must be given one month’s notice.

That extra week is crucial, Schiller said, because Sept. 19 Eleventh Hour Rescue is hosting its Puptoberfest event at the store. The event is typically the biggest adoption day of the year for the group. Last year they did 40 adoptions that day, she said.

Schiller took to the Eleventh Hour Rescue Facebook page Tuesday to express her frustrations in a detailed post that was liked nearly 1,000 times and shared by more than 6,000 people as of Wednesday morning.

“We are in trouble,” Schiller said on the page, sharing the news. “We were shocked. In the meantime, we have dogs and cats at the adoption center that we will need to find a place for. In order to comply with Petsmart Charities' request that we try to keep the center at full capacity at all times, we have more dogs and cats scheduled to come over the next few weeks. Turning our back on them would mean certain death so we cannot cancel. It is hard enough for any ordinary business to "liquidate its inventory" with only 30 days’ notice, but it is disastrous when your inventory consists of living, breathing creatures.”

Schiller said the move will also be a financial hardship for Eleventh Hour Rescue, affecting how many animals they will be able to help.

In the post, Schiller included an email she sent to a PetSmart Charities representative who notified her of the termination, asking for reconsideration.

“The tag line on your own email is: ‘A lifelong, loving home for every pet.’ which is exactly what we are about as well. Since our goals are so closely aligned, this action by PetSmart Charities is inconsistent with what true animal rescue is all about,” Schiller said. “We are asking you to please reconsider your decision and allow us to continue as your partner in Mt. Olive. If you decide to not reconsider I respectfully ask for some additional time to get our dogs and cats currently residing at the EAC adopted or to find fosters.”

The post also appealed to Eleventh Hour Rescue’s followers, asking them to take in some of the animals that need homes. Schiller said Eleventh Hour Rescue has gotten several applications to foster animals since she posted on Facebook.

“I never expected it to take off like it has,” Schiller said. “I want to cry with gratitude for everyone supporting our effort.”

A Change.org petition also launched Tuesday and has already netted more than 2,500 signatures. The petition asks signees to boycott PetSmart and addresses its CEO Michael J. Massey.

The petition can be seen and signed at https://www.change.org/p/michael-j-massey-petsmart-boycott-petsmart-and-petsmart-charities?recruiter=2553681&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive.

Schiller said she is holding out some hope whatever issues caused the contract termination might be mended, but she is preparing for all scenarios.

“I’m hoping for a ‘Hail Mary’ because on the 25th, we’re out,” Schiller said. “But we will find other places, other adoption centers that will invite us in on the weekends. We’re a small organization but we do a lot of adoptions..”

Eleventh Hour Rescue is also working on raising funds to open a kennel in Mount Olive, but Schiller said that make take some time.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6336; mizzo@GannettNJ.com