Hi there,
I'm sure you've heard by now, the toxic
substance in the recalled pet food was
rat poison, a substance called aminopterin.
Here are a few links to read the latest info:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/rat_poison_confirmed_in_recalled_pet_food.html
(If that links breaks, you may have to copy
and paste it into your browser.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17754681/from/ET/
http://updates.purina.com/T2RT0226565F2882BCA1AC59668E80
http://www.menufoods.com/recall
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070317/ap_on_bi_ge/pet_food_recall_12
Luckily, we had no problems at our shelter, as we
use mostly dry foods, and those products were not affected.
If your pet was affected, here is a link to find
out how to report it:
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html
The good news... so to speak... is that some insurance
companies are covering losses related to the tainted pet food.
If you happen to have pet insurance with Shelter Care Pet
Insurance, call them to see if your policy covers this problem.
1-866-630-7387. Or, you can look on their web site:
www.sheltercare.com.
I don't know about the other companies, so if you have coverage
with someone else, contact them to see if this is included.
===================================
According to Dr. Andrew Jones, the veterinarian in Canada,
(who happens to be a wholistic vet), this is what he said
in a bulletin I just got:
"You should consider making your own pet food, and feeding
a portion of the diet as RAW."
Dr. Jones also has arranged for early registrants to go to
an important teleseminar at no cost (save $19.97). His guest
will be discussing safe feeding options.
Date: Monday April 2 at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern)
Click this link to get registered now!
http://tinyurl.com/yrcvja
(Sorry cat owners, this is for dogs. I only bring it up
because a lot of cat owners I know also have dogs.)
====================================
I've been watching the pet food industry closely this
year and just attended an online seminar on the subject.
The main message for now is to be on the lookout for
new trends in RAW FOODs for pets. Other countries use
more raw products than the U.S. - to the tune of about
15% of pets' diets, compared to only 5% in the U.S.
Some call these products BARF (Bones And Raw Food), and
others prefer to simply refer to them as Raw Feeding.
Many wholistic veterinarians recommend raw and/or home
prepared foods, not just for the nutritional benefit, but
for the safety factor. Using sanitary preparation methods
at home, your pet will benefit most from home-cooked and
home-prepared foods.
As with human food, when shopping, just be cautious about pet
food companies that claim their foods are "organic" or
"natural." Maybe they are... maybe they aren't... a
lot can depend on the definitions of those terms.
Here's a tip I picked up, too: Look at the ingredients
list on the package. If the first ingredient listed is
any kind of grain product, it is not the best food for
your pet. Cats are CARNIVORES, and their bodies REQUIRE
meat... not corn, not wheat, not soy. They may enjoy it,
because somewhere in the recipe, a meat by-product may
have been added. Or, as the pet food industry experts
said during the seminar last week, sometimes "palatants"
are added... simply put, chemicals that make everything
taste better.
===================================
Well, I will have to get back on track about yard care
and cat safety next time. This pet food situation took
center stage this month, that's for sure.
===================================
TIME TO SMILE:
A little late for St. Patrick's Day, but enjoy anyway:
http://www.marcgunn.com/articles/irish_drinking_cat_songs.shtml
(thanks Ashley!)
videos:
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/cats/
http://files.kavefish.com/pictures/collections/funny_cat_pictures/_index-list.html
===================================
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