ASHBURN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Woofie’s®, a Loudon County-based pet services company, is stepping up their calls to action from concerned citizens who want to prevent a local pet store from opening under the management of a man who has been charged with animal cruelty just 6 months ago.
Woofie’s® started an online Change.org petition late last week that has thus far collected 7,000+ signatures. Members of their community, pet lovers, and those concerned with animal welfare have signed the petition to stop the opening of the Woofys store in Chantilly, VA. In addition, Woofie’s® filed an action for trademark infringement in federal court due to confusion in the marketplace.
Ayman Koshok, a former owner of the Fairfax Petland Store, was charged with 3 counts of animal cruelty in September 2019, stemming from an undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States. He and his brother, Kareem Koshok, were allegedly allowing animals to die without proper veterinary treatment, then storing the bodies in a freezer. Amy Reed, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Woofie’s® says, “What started as a trademark infringement issue has now turned into an animal cruelty and animal rights issue. It is our opinion that anyone who has been charged with or convicted of animal cruelty should not own or operate a pet store.”
Woofie’s® is also partnering with the group, Puppy Mill Free VA, who is organizing a peaceful, legal protest on public grounds in the Chantilly Crossing Shopping Center on Saturday, March 14th from 12pm - 4pm.
About Woofie’s
Founded in 2004 and franchising since 2018, Woofie’s is a franchise in the professional pet care services industry that is the first to offer the combined services of pet sitting, dog walking and mobile pet spa services. They are further distinguished by their completely customizable services and their community involvement with local shelters. Woofie’s also offers Pet Tech First Aid/CPR classes and in 2019 they launched the Woofie’s Academy grooming school. Today, there is one corporate location in Ashburn, Virginia and three franchisee-owned locations that service the Reston-Herndon, Leesburg and South Riding-Aldie communities. For more information, visit www.woofies.com.