A video released Tuesday by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shows alleged animal abuse at a large animal mill in Pennsylvania.
Holmes Farm, in Barto, Berks County, supplies hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, chinchillas, ferrets and other small animals to hundreds of pet stores across the eastern U.S., including Petco and PetSmart, PETA says.
In its report, PETA describes the conditions allegedly discovered at Holmes Farm over the course of three months.
The animals — thousands of whom had already been subjected to a grueling overseas trip in shipping crates — were confined to crowded bins or cages in Holmes Farm’s filthy, windowless warehouses. The buildings reeked of urine and feces, and one building’s floor was spattered with blood where helpless prey animals had apparently been attacked by cats, who were allowed to roam freely throughout the facility, regularly jumping in and out of the bins. One hamster who had been attacked by a cat was just left to flail and die on the floor.
Workers did not check the animals for signs of life before dumping their bodies in the trash or wrapping others in plastic bags to sell as “feeders.” Some sick or emaciated animals languished for days without care, including rabbits who eventually died in cages.
In response to a comment on Facebook, Petco says it is no longer working with Holmes.
"We take animal care very seriously and we expect the same of our suppliers. In short, we hope you're happy to learn that we have ended our relationship with Holmes Chinchilla Ranch."
However, PETA claims the store continued ordering and receiving animals from the supplier for more than a month, even after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began its inspection.
PETA says Holmes Farm is the fifth animal dealer with ties to PetSmart and/or Petco it has exposed.
Warning: Disturbing content below.
Holmes Farm is now under federal investigation, according to PETA.
See PETA's full report here.