VCA Reunites Displaced Pets with Louisiana Family Following Devastation of Katrina; VCA Veterinarian Volunteers to Pilot Chihuahuas Home

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

WHAT:     In the midst of the New Orleans evacuation just days before
          Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Wanda Tyler and her family
          faced a tough decision. After their car broke down, the 
          Tylers had no choice but to leave their two dogs behind. The
          pets, Chihuahuas CheeWee and PeeWee, were left in the Tyler 
          home located just around the corner from one of the many 
          levees that breached during the storm, flooding the city. 
          After three days the pups were miraculously rescued and 
          taken to a shelter in Mississippi before being transported 
          to a local VCA animal hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Once 
          safely in the care of the veterinary staff of the VCA Mill 
          Run Animal Hospital, the canines received food and shelter,
          made available by the funds raised through VCA Charities, a
          non-profit foundation dedicated to safely housing displaced
          pets victimized by the hurricane. Looking forward to 
          rebuilding their lives like hundreds of thousands of
          hurricane victims, Tyler and her family will be reunited 
          with their beloved pets. Jack Walkenhorst, DVM, medical 
          director of VCA Mill Run Animal Hospital, a compassionate 
          veterinarian and avid pilot, will personally fly the 
          Chihuahuas back to their owners, who have taken up residence
          in Spring, Texas.

WHEN:     Saturday, December 10, 2005
          Scheduled arrival between 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. CT, weather 
          permitting

WHERE:    David Wayne Hooks Airport - Main Terminal
          20803 Stuebner Airline Road
          Spring, TX 77379

WHO:      Jack Walkenhorst, DVM - Medical Director, VCA Mill Run 
          Animal Hospital, will deliver the animals to the Tyler 
          family via private plane.


Note to Editor:     Meet the reunited puppies. Photographs and video
                    permitted. Please coordinate with the media 
                    contact for all arrangements and media 
                    credentials.