Grand Opening Celebration: Best Friends-supported Woof Worx Pet Store Offers Adoption Options Instead of Puppy Mill Dogs
LOS ANGELES (March 2, 2009 - The space formerly occupied by a Los Angeles pet shop that once sold dogs from puppy mills has been magically transformed into a humane rescued pets store supported by Best Friends Animal Society. A chic, new store, Woof Worx (formerly Pets of Bel Air), opens Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m., under completely new management, the first such retail establishment to open under the Best Friends Puppy-Store-Free campaign.
"This is a culmination of our eight-month effort to stop Pets of Bel Air from selling puppy mill dogs and to guide and support Woof Worx in the creation of a viable 'Best Friends endorsed pet store'", said Elizabeth Oreck, Los Angeles programs manager for Best Friends Animal Society.
Woof Worx is the brainchild of Jamie Katz a former employee of Pets of Bel Air, who dreamed of opening a pet store that operated under a humane model. That dream came true when Pets of Bel Air closed and she took over the space. The result is Woof Worx, a beautifully re-designed store that sells a wide variety of pet food, supplies and offers grooming and small dog day care. The only animals offered for sale are those from shelters and 501(c)(3) rescue organizations.
Best Friends had led peaceful protests at Pets of Bel Air during 2008, as well as other local puppy mill-supplied pet stores as part of its Puppy-Store-Free campaign. Puppy mills are dismal mass breeding operations where dogs are forced to live in small cages without socialization, regular exercise or proper medical care. In December, Taubman Centers, Inc., which operates The Beverly Center, decided to terminate the least of Pet Love because it sold dogs from puppy mills.
According to Katz, the more people are informed about the inhumane practices of puppy mills- and the fact that they supply 99 percent of the dogs for sale in pet stores- the more they will be drawn to her business.
The Woof Worx celebratory event will include wine, cheese and desserts for guests as they browse the newly designed store and meet adoptable puppies.
Woof Worx is located at 2924 N. Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077
Phone: 310- 474-1211
Media desiring more information contact:
Elizabeth Oreck (818) 768-8195, elizabetho@bestfriends.org
Nora Della Maddalena (310) 463-0507, nora@bestfriends.org
