pet connection

301 Comments »

1. I still find it unbelievable how underreported and poorly reported fiasco is.

   There are probably hundreds of thousands if not more Pet Owners who are either still clueless or know there is a recall but probably think it’s nothing to be concerned about.

   Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 10:05 am

2. Most if not 98% of all press releases are wire mill “drop-and-run” media releases. Unless pet owners are actively scanning the internet, they are pretty much at the mercy of the markets. The MSM and television news networks really needs to get with the program.

   Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 10:13 am

3. As for little to no media coverage - Someone previously said - follow the money. Advertising on tv is down due to the age of the tivo. You have to wonder if the owners of the news stations are limiting coverage because they can’t afford to loose pet food companies advertising $. Just a thought.

   Comment by jim — March 31, 2007 @ 10:21 am

4. How about a LAW that prohibits buying food stocks from countries if they do not have equivalent or higher standards and regulations than North America. We ban chemicals here and they are sold to unregulated countries only to come back and bite us on the rear end through finished product.

   Comment by Sandro — March 31, 2007 @ 10:26 am

5. someone previously said - follow the money - well you have to wonder if the media/news is under-reporting because quiet frankly it effects their bottom line too. Think about it, advertising is down all over the place due to the tivo age - so if these pet food companies can’t afford their ads then the owners of the news companies are effected too. The truth is always behind the dollar.

   Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 10:27 am

6. whoops - we posted twice (dan & jim) as it didn’t appear to go through the first time. we’re sorry about that. but still something to think about.

   Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 10:28 am

7. Here are my concerns. I think that the loss in faith in our vets is worse than our loss of faith in the pet food industry (which was misplaced anyway, the natural response of trusting, fair and naive people). But our vets being uninformed and dismissive is frightening.

   Another nail in the coffin of trust in our government. Cronies in high places, making (or not making) decisions that could affect us all. To worry that our food is not safe is frightening. And yes, I’m worried about that too. Check your pantry shelves - I have.

   The doddering and lame news organizations. While they’re out chasing rumors and gossip about who said what and who fathered whom, they can’t be bothered to go online and get the idea that something bad is happening here and they should look into it.

   The financial hit. Mine, yours, probably a lot of innocent and responsible companies and individuals.

   Yes, I am writing those letters. I can already tell you that what I will receive in return is a bunch of meaningless (word censored here). But I will write - what else can I do.

   Comment by Nancy Nielsen — March 31, 2007 @ 10:29 am

8. Comments in parentheses are mine:

   http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/.....recall.ap/
   Experts at the University of Guelph in Canada detected aminopterin in some samples of the recalled pet food, but only in very small percentages.
   “Biologically, that means nothing. It wouldn’t do anything,” said Grant Maxie, a veterinary pathologist at the university. “This is a puzzle.” (Just how many labs are involved in the network set up to deal with a biological threat? Do they cross national boundaries? Are there enough? Obviously not or many more samples of pet urine, kidneys and food would have already been done. Then there’s the issue of working with “sticky substances” when testing, which apparently is a problem. Is there anyone that can step up and fix this problem?)

   The FDA was working to rule out the possibility that the contaminated wheat gluten could have made it into any human food. (Oh, yeah and THAT is why the pet food issue takes a back seat. Because there are NOT enough resources to deal with this situation and first and foremost they want to protect human food sources.)
   [..]
   About 70 percent of the wheat gluten used in the United States for human and pet food is imported from the European Union and Asia, according to the Pet Food Institute, an industry group.

   One veterinarian suggested the international sourcing of ingredients would force the U.S. “to come to grips with a reality we had not appreciated.”

   “When you change from getting an ingredient from the supplier down the road to a supplier from around the globe, maybe the methods and practices that were effective in one situation need to be changed,” said Tony Buffington, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University. (Gee, ya think that’s the problem? Sigh…at least someone’s saying it out loud on mainstream press.)

   Oh and I might add that it wouldn’t hurt to also send letters to county officials. Here in Floriduh we are sick of unfunded mandates from state govt. and I’m sure county officials would like nothing better than to tell the state officials they’ve not done their job. Plus it helps to start at the local level to insure good communication. Then, no matter what the big boys do, the word will get out locally.
   And don’t forget to include copies of your letters to Durbin, et. al. just in case your representatives are more worried about the horrible horrible AG scandal.

   My dogs hate me - the second day in a row they’ve been nowhere. I just tell them to pretend I’m on vacation….not!

   Comment by Cathy — March 31, 2007 @ 10:32 am

9. We ban chemicals here and they are sold to unregulated countries only to come back and bite us on the rear end through finished product.
   Comment by Sandro — March 31, 2007 @ 10:26 am

   Exactly. And I just an article today where Nestle is making moves on the Pakistan Baby Milk market.

   Nestle opens 67 million dollar milk processing plant in Pakistan

   “The company has in the past come in for fierce criticism and consumer boycotts over its policy of marketing powdered milk and infant formula in developing countries.”

   http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20.....vgczAZO7gF

   Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 10:42 am

10. Yes, I am writing those letters. I can already tell you that what I will receive in return is a bunch of meaningless (word censored here). But I will write - what else can I do.
    Comment by Nancy Nielsen — March 31, 2007 @ 10:29 am

    Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth and citizen action. All it takes is one unhappy customer. The word starts getting around to friends, family, and associates and the next thing 20, 30, 40 people hear about it and it continues to grow in scope.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 10:45 am

11. I have been feeding Trader Joe’s lamb & rice dry dog food to my dog.
    I called Trader Joes in Monravia, California to make sure it did not have any ingredients from Menu Foods. They assured me it didn’t. However, they will not divulge who makes their dry pet food , though they said it is ” a well known, high quality brand ” . In light of the poisoning of our pets, and that dry food is now also implicated, I urge pet owners to demand Trader Joe’s tell us which company makes their dry pet food, or at least name the companies supplying ingredients.
    Call Trader Joes at 626-599-3700
    CEO : Dan Bane, President: Doug Rauch

    Comment by ray gwyn smith — March 31, 2007 @ 10:45 am

12. I hope this episode exposes how deceptive and dishonest many of the pet food companies are. The long list of companies that use Menu Foods is unbelievable. The way many of these companies have behaved shows that greed is their driving force. My experience with Nutro (no call back, no communication after notifying them of my pet’s illness and then death), finding out that brands like Newman’s Own Organics, Wellness and Innova use Menu Foods or are Menu Foods brands, and that “by Nature” packets are a “Product of China” are personal experiences that I will always remember.

    Nothing will bring my beautiful cat back. All I can do is exercise the power of the purse and never again purchase from the companies that engage in deception. I will write my federal and state representatives and hope that action is taken. This country needs comprehensive laws with strict enforcement that will protect our pets and ensure the safety of the food they eat.

    We need to stop relying on China and other foreign countries for products that are available in the United States. China has an abysmal human rights record and animal rights are non-existent. Anyone who does a little research on the cruelty practiced by Chinese commerce and industry in exploiting dogs and cats for commerce would never buy anything from them.

    PLEASE, stop buying products from companies that deceive you. PLEASE, stop buying products grown or produced in countries that export poison. PLEASE write you elected representatives and express your anger.

    Comment by MFEMFEM — March 31, 2007 @ 10:50 am

13. Comment by ray gwyn smith — March 31, 2007 @ 10:45 am

    Yes. Contractual obligations and corporate competitive secrets. This istheir problem. They got themselves into it. If they can not be 100% transparent and straight forward about their products I am just NOT going to buy their product or have anything to do with them in any way shape or form. I’ll support honest and ethical companies who have nothing to hide.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 10:53 am

14. My heart goes out to those with lost pets and to the pets who’ve been sick and passed away from this horrendous negligence.

    I had no idea about Newman’s Own Organic dog food using Menu Foods. Does anyone know about Blue Buffalo dog food? Their website tells of all ingredients used and says they are not involved in the recall. Any information would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

    Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 11:01 am

15. It is stunning to see how much garbage and waste products a food industry will try to make “palatable” for profit isn’t it?

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:01 am

16. WOW. I forgot to go out and get this mornings newspaper and the Pet Food Recall Fiasco is finally a MAJOR HEADLINE FRONT PAGE STORY.

    And in Bold Print. It’s about time.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:03 am

17. Steve, all these companies know the potential for millions of lawsuits based on the enormous scope of this problem, of which they are more aware than we. I’m sure they’ve all been advised to remain silent at this time. They are in it together. They are gathering force, but so are we. It will just be a matter of time before they are forced to come forward if we persist.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:06 am

18. I just read an article on an “alternative news” website about millions of bees dying, not only in this country but all over the world. Without pollination, our own food supply is endangered of being wiped out. The big question is, is it the result of the genetic modification of grain crops?? We all know that our “fearless leaders” are in bed with big business, and what is bigger than Monsanto, who ships their poisons everywhere. Could our government-run FDA have been TOLD not to release any names? I am paranoid with good reason.

    Comment by gerry m. — March 31, 2007 @ 11:06 am

19. Comment by gerry m. — March 31, 2007 @ 11:06 am

    My two boys, young men in Oregon, who are involved in horticulture have been telling me this for a long time. Now I understand. Paranoia isn’t paranoia if the problem is real. This whole debacle is a blessing in disguise. I keep repeating that our pets have taken the hit for us. We will learn that soon.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:10 am

20. Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:06 am

    You bet they are. It’s all damage control and management from here on out. I still want to see investigations and Congressional Hearings. I’m sure everyone across the country does.

    Which reminds me off,

    Ann Martin is to the pet food industry what Rachel Carson was to the … for her tenacity in taking on an industry with $20 billion in worldwide revenues. Ann Martin has been investigating the multi-billion-dollar, commercial pet food industry since 1990. Today, she is internationally recognized as an authority on the dangers of commercial pet foods.

    http://www.newsagepress.com/foodpetsdiefor.html

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:13 am

21. Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:13 am

    Thanks for that input. This is what we all should be sharing here. Knowledge is power.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:15 am

22. please tell me which of these brands are safe. I have to pick something today. I can locally get my hands on these (for a cat)
    Wellness
    Solid Gold
    Innova & Evo (Natura)
    I am leaning toward Solid Gold as there seems to be some connection with wellness & Natura to Menu Foods. Solid Gold seems to have no wheat at all which I like right now.
    Any Advice? I have also been recommended to buy Boulder Cat Treats for treats. Any thoughts on any of this - PLEASE….I have to buy something today.

    Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:16 am

23. Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:16 am

    My cat has been fine on Wellness Lite Super 5Mix with deboned chicken, chicken liver, real cranberries, real blueberries, flax seed, no rendered fats, no by-products. She has been on this for a year.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:20 am

24. is that a loaf style nadine or chunky?

    Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:21 am

25. Dan, it’s dry food.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:23 am

26. Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:16 am

    Dan check this list. Unfortunately there is not many panaceas.

    http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

    We are staying with Wellness Wet although we are nervous as hell. It is all our cat will eat. Her favorite and main diet. She’s fine but we are still….. NERVOUS AS HELL…. and somewhat upset by Wellness even being involved with Menu.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:24 am

27. ah, thanks nadine, i need that too. she likes it all. i evne have to change her treats out, they had wheat gluten in them too. i am getting rid of all that crap. she is actually being tested right now as a precaution and i will know the results soon.

    Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:27 am

28. thank you steve for your input too & all of the info you have provided here.

    Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:28 am

29. I, for one have been making my 2 dog’s meals since the day Before the recall, since that is when mine became ill, which could have been avoided if they would have told us months earlier WHEN THEY KNEW! And, even though I started feeding them ‘real food’ Before the recall, I have one that I’m still not sure is going to make it or not. She may be a little ‘better’, but she is still not her same ole self - and she’s young - only 3 years old.

    And it looks like us Pet Parents are ALL more enlightened to the dog food industry now. We now see what is Really in the food that our beloved pets have been eating. (besides the Aminopterin & Melamine!) which before I never thought to research because I ‘trusted’ my pet’s lives AND Nutrition with the dogfood manufacturers. We are seeing FDA reports months old that we never even heard about! We are finding out that many of the ingredients are imported! (Hey, I for one, didn’t know that! I”ve never seen “Some Ingredients may be Imported from China” on a can, have you?) I didn’t know the inspection process was as laxed as it is. I didn’t know pet food companies had kennels of dogs and cats, (and ‘other’ animals) so they could use in testing and laboratory procedurs. Dogs and cats, with feelings, being tortured, killed, and forced to live in a cage all of their lives.

    We have to realize that many other people, especially people who were raised in other countries, cannot relate to the close bond that we have with our Pets. They are not ‘just a commodity’ to us, or ‘entertainment’ like a Nintendo. They are a close nit part of our family. We Love our pets and that love is a close bonded tie similar to the love we feel for our children. We also KNow that they have Emotions such as sadness, depression, happiness, contentment, secureness, and we know they love us, too. We can’t Make others understand this, so we have to take the responsibility of protecting them into our own hands.

    We have to change the way pets are classified in our society. We have to raise the standards concerning pet food inspections. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN!

    The only way is to “Speak up NOW”! Speak up for the innocent souls, our beloved pets, that lost their lives, or were permanently damaged, to human carelessness or intentional terrorism - whatever it may be.

    It seems like the only way they will listen is if their Net Profit Numbers are affected. These dogfood companies are BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATIONS. And where did they get their Billions? From US, the Pet Parents like you and me. We are the ones who work hard to put food our family table, INCLUDING food in the bowls of canine and feline FAMILY MEMBERS!

    If we all Stopped buying the “Crap in a Can” out there, or better yet, a group of fellow Pet Parents, opening their Own Pet Food Company (with stricter inspections policies, higher grade foods, & used our Own pets as ‘food testing animals’ (we’re not going to put the ‘bad stuff’ into our own pet’s food- it would be more of a ‘taste test’ which is the only type of ‘testing they should need’)……..THEN MAYBE………THEY WOULD START LISTENING….AND START MAKING CHANGES………IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Keri — March 31, 2007 @ 11:28 am

30. Pedigree brand dog food recalled in Asia after illnesses reported
    Asian Economic News, March 15, 2004

    Find More Results for: “whiskas recall cat food “
    Editorials Pet food…
    Banfield Treats Pets…
    More interactive ads…
    BANGKOK, March 12 Kyodo

    The makers of Pedigree brand dog food and Whiskas brand cat food have recalled products manufactured in Thailand and sold in Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia after reports of increased renal illness among dogs in Taiwan, according to a company statement Friday.

    Effem Foods (Thailand) Co., a unit of food and confectionary giant Mars. Inc., said in a statement that it has recalled the dry dog and cat food ”because of concerns over raw material quality at a manufacturing plant in Thailand.”

    It said it had found mold in raw materials Wednesday at a pet food manufacturing plant in the Pakchong district of Nakhon Rachasima Province, 160 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, where operations have since been suspended.

    But the company said its investigation has not confirmed a direct link between the mold finding and an increase in reported cases of renal illness among dogs in Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.

    Comment by Jamie — March 31, 2007 @ 11:30 am

31. Dan,

    Wellness is a good food formula. We’re just upset to learn they decided to partner with Menu for some of their manufacturing. We know we are taking a chance. Nothing is more distressing then wondering if your companion is now a crash test dummy or test specimen. We hope we can take the companies word on this. If something happens that they could or should have acted upon or could have prevented they can bet-expect they will be hearing from us. And our Attorney.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:33 am

32. Dan, stick with Solid Gold. Also, anything from Evangers, Felidae (Canidae), Merrick, California Natural, Flint River Ranch (though mail order only), Fromm Family Foods. From what I have found, these companies DO NOT DO BUSINESS in any way, shape, or form with Menu Foods. Keep in mind, none of these may fair well with your kitty, as all diets are different, but hopefully something will work.

    I hope what you get ends up working well for you cat. I, too, had to switch from Innova because of their involvement with Menu Foods.

    Jaycee

    Comment by Jaycee — March 31, 2007 @ 11:36 am

33. Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:33 am

    For Dan, Wellness dry is not produced by Menu. They bake it themselves apparently.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:39 am

34. Steve, Natura had a video statement on their site that they are considering building their own wet canning plant. Perhaps wellness can do the same. Or perhaps since everyone seems to like sharing plants to begin with they can pick up the phone and chat and build one together, quickly.

    Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:40 am

35. Yes, I read that it was only their canned that was produced by Menu. Thank you so much everyone for thie info, off to the store now.

    Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:42 am

36. Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:40 am

    Excellent idea. Send them the suggestion in a letter!

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:43 am

37. This is an article from 2004 regarding a recall in Asia:

    “Pedigree brand dog food recalled in Asia after illnesses reported

    Find More Results for: “whiskas recall cat food “

    BANGKOK, March 12 Kyodo
    The makers of Pedigree brand dog food and Whiskas brand cat food have recalled products manufactured in Thailand and sold in Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia after reports of increased renal illness among dogs in Taiwan, according to a company statement Friday.
    Effem Foods (Thailand) Co., a unit of food and confectionary giant Mars. Inc., said in a statement that it has recalled the dry dog and cat food ”because of concerns over raw material quality at a manufacturing plant in Thailand.”
    It said it had found mold in raw materials Wednesday at a pet food manufacturing plant in the Pakchong district of Nakhon Rachasima Province, 160 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, where operations have since been suspended.
    But the company said its investigation has not confirmed a direct link between the mold finding and an increase in reported cases of renal illness among dogs in Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.”

    http://www.findarticles.com/p/....._114410165

    Comment by Jamie — March 31, 2007 @ 11:44 am

38. this all gets sucky-er by the minute. what was the date on that article please.

    Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:46 am

39. Yes, Jamie, this has been going on for a long time. Not new.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:47 am

40. Comment by dan — March 31, 2007 @ 11:40 am

    Dan Wellness did produce in house but in the past year to 18 months or so due to increasing demand and an outdated original facility (Old Mother Hubbard) they closed that. There were some serious shortages of Wellness during this time period as they retooled. It was hard to get our brand. Demand exceeded supply. At minimum I hope they are reconsidering seriously their decision to outsource some production to Menu in the future. And consider the long term benefit of a new facility where they can maintain absolute 100% control over quality.
    Easier said then done I know.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:49 am

41. GO TO PETSIT USA.COM BLOG THEY HAVE A LIST OF FOOD NOT ON RECALL LIST AND ALL SO WHO MAKES THE FOOD ,BEWARE OF ANY CO. WHO MAKES FOOD FROM DIAMOND FOOD PLANT. GOOD LUCK

    Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 11:50 am

42. http://crickler.com/crickler.html

    At least somebody is paying attention.

    Comment by Dee — March 31, 2007 @ 11:52 am

43. Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 11:50 am

    Yes, last years Diamond Pet Food Aflatoxin recall.

    http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....12_05.html

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:53 am

44. Nadine, I wasn’t aware that these companies have been sleazy for this long… I guess I’ve been blinded by the promises that they “care about our pets”.

    I got an email from a friend this morning with this message from Mars:

    The recent US pet food recall initiated by Menu Foods and other companies does not include any Mars Petcare pet food products. All of our brands, including PEDIGREE, CESAR and THE GOODLIFE RECIPE food for dogs, and WHISKAS, SHEBA, TEMPTATIONS, and THE GOODLIFE RECIPE food for cats, are safe for pets to enjoy.

    The safety of products not involved in the recall was validated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 23. According to the FDA, pet owners should feel confident feeding unrecalled products to their pets.

    The safety and nutritional quality of our pet food is our top priority because for many people, their pets are their top priorities.”

    So, I did some checking and found the above-referenced old article from 2004.

    Comment by Jamie — March 31, 2007 @ 11:54 am

45. To Dan ~

    What city/state do you live in??

    Comment by Tracy — March 31, 2007 @ 11:55 am

46. If you really want this issue to get more attention, please CALL OR EMAIL your local news outlets!! Many of us reporters are pet lovers, and I know I’m not the only one who’s been trying to convince our editors we ought to be doing more coverage of this story. Pressure from the public WILL help us make our case.

    And no, at least in my station’s case, it’s NOT about the advertising - it’s just a thirty-year-old perception that pet stories aren’t real news, that people don’t want to hear about it. We *all* know that isn’t true - hell, the food recall story is at the top of CNN’s “most popular” list at the moment. But it’s an old myth in the news industry.

    So if you want action, ask for it from your local media. More public outcry will give those of us who want to cover this story more leverage to do it. And once the real story starts showing up on front pages and broadcasts across the country, and putting these companies’ bottom lines at risk, you can bet the corporate folks will start paying attention.

    Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 11:56 am

47. Comment by Jamie — March 31, 2007 @ 11:54 am

    Greed and the smell of money can corrupt even the most well intentioned. What is disturbing is seeing some companies who should know better taking those first baby steps leading into that abyss.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:58 am

48. Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 11:58 am

    Money addiction.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:02 pm

49. gerry m

    The bee industry is devastated, about wiped out. They don’t know exactly the cause but suspect genitically modified plants and/or pesticides.

    I’ve always said, everything corrupt man touches, he destroys.

    Gary

    Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 12:07 pm

50. Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 11:56 am

    Your station is way behind the times. I’d gather some data for them to bring them into 2007. How many pet companions in the U.S. per household? How much $$$ spent in the U.S. on pet products? And so forth…

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:07 pm

51. LAURA,i have been e mailing, cnn,fox msnbc,plus my local media and newspapers and in the e mail i email pet connection web page and tell them look at the NUMBERS i put the dogs on wellness they refused it,my friend has her dog INVOVA ERO BY NATURA PET AND SHE SWEARS BY IT. I SPENT 30.00 ON CHICKEN TODAY ,I’M SCARED TO FEED THEM PET FOOD I’M SURE NEXT FRI. THEIR WILL BE MORE RECALL’S

    Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 12:13 pm

52. One month before the recall, Nestlé Purina opened a pet food factory in China!

    At the end of the Year of the Dog pet food manufacturer Nestlé Purina has expanded its China interests opening its first pet food processing factory on the Chinese mainland, in the Tianjin Economic Development Area.

    Purina had been exporting to China since 2003. Pet ownership in China is on the increase and attitudes towards pets are changing, with Chinese people demonstrating greater love and care towards their pets, according to market analyst Euromonitor. Up to 2005, China’s pet population grew by a remarkable 20% in five years.

    Pet food, especially dog and cat food, are expected to develop as foreign major players. Investors see China as a lucrative pet food market, says Euromonitor. http://www.euromonitor.com/

    Nestle to produce pet food in China
    February 03, 2007

    Swiss-based Nestle S.A’s pet food plant in Tianjin Municipality in north China began operating on Friday.

    Nestle invested 80 million yuan (10.26 million U.S. dollars) in the plant and it has an annual production ability of 20,000 tons. It is the company’s first pet food plant in China.

    The plant will use local-purchased raw materials including bean, corn and wheat. Its products will be sold in supermarkets, pet clinics and pet shops.

    According to statistics with the China Food Association, the value of pet-food sale in China is expected to reach six billion yuan (769 million U.S. dollars) in 2008 and the figure will top 15 billion yuan (1.92 billion U.S. dollars) in five years.

    Source: Xinhua

    About Nestle Purina
    The North American headquarters for Nestle Purina PetCare Company is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri, where Ralston Purina Company was founded more than a century ago. Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. One of the leading global players in the pet food industry, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestle S.A. — the world’s largest food company.

    Nestlé (China) Ltd.
    Building No 3 Universal Plaza
    Commercial Center
    10 Jiu Xian Qiao Lu
    Chaoyang District
    Beijing 100016 PRC
    People’s Republic of China
    + 86-10-8434 7888
    + 86-10-6438 9330
    http://www.nestle.com.cn/
    http://english.people.com.cn/2.....47213.html

    Comment by Mike — March 31, 2007 @ 12:13 pm

53. Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:02 pm

    It’s a shame so many large scale employers and corporations have disintegrated from serving communities and people to becoming tools for global exploitation and the personal profit and gain of a small handful of men. Maybe it was inevitable that this kind of rampant capitalism has run it’s course. Wealth without Ethics. Nasty Stuff. I am not anti large scale. But the current course has us heading straight for the rocks.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 12:16 pm

54. My station is, unfortunately, very much in the majority on this. Why do you think this has gotten so little coverage? I have to fight for every pet story we do - and it’s still more than any other outlet in our large media market!

    News editors know all the figures. They get stats thrown at them all the time. But stats don’t make a story - real people do.

    There’s just an outdated perception that dogs and cats don’t compete well against human news for ratings. I’ve worked at many place that have this attitude. It’s based on very old numbers, but it’s still accepted as fact in many newsrooms.

    Again - if you want more attention paid to this, don’t blame the media - call them, then tell all your friends to call them, too. Even the most hard-headed assignment editor can’t ignore the critical mass of an overflowing inbox and dozens of voicemails.

    Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 12:17 pm

55. Mary Ann, you’re doing the right thing. Keep plugging, and get anyone you can to do the same thing. Your local folks will be more responsive than the nationals.

    If you’re willing to tell them your story, say you are. And offer them your vet’s name and number to back you up.

    Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 12:21 pm

56. Nadine and anyone else who is interested,

    You can find stats on pet ownership and $$$ spent on appma.org.

    They do a pet owner’s survey every year.

    Here are stats from 2005/2006
    http://www.appma.org/press_industrytrends.asp

    Comment by Robin — March 31, 2007 @ 12:22 pm

57. Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 12:17 pm

    Media Consolidation is a big problem. We have to few people calling the shots on what gets seen, heard, or viewed.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 12:22 pm

58. Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 12:17 pm

    Unfortunately they just continue to contribute to the money madness. They do have an audience out there that they haven’t found yet. Their unwillingness to look deeper will eventually erode their business. It’s just a matter of time everyone. This story is not only about pets, it’s about people. It’s about bigger issues, like overall food supply. You are right about contacting the local media. I did and it worked. Perhaps because of the subject “pets” this will have to be a grass roots effort. It may take longer, but it’s not impossible. Word of mouth, networking, is an incredible tool. And the best, I might mention!

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:27 pm

59. RICK SANCHEZ @CNN.COM HAS BEEN ON TOP OF THIS,LAURA INGELAS, SHE’S ON GERALDO AT LARGE 8 PM EST ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL SHE’S BEEN GREAT COVERING THIS HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE

    Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 12:27 pm

60. Comment by Robin — March 31, 2007 @ 12:22 pm

    Wow, Robin, thanks for that great information. $40 billion??? And this is NOT news? C’mon people!!!

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:30 pm

61. Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 12:27 pm

    Does she have a segment time where the public can be directed to watch for those not online? That would be helpful.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:32 pm

62. In addition to political action, please don’t forget our local animal shelters, many of whom rely purely on food donations and have been hit hard by the food recall. We have been working very hard to ensure that all of the animals in our care are eating the safest food possible, with what little, inadequate information we are getting from the FDA and manufacturers. We have been extremely scrupulous in removing recalled and even suspect food from our supplies, and have put certain other foods in a secure “hold” section until we have adequate information to make good decisions…and these actions have left us low on usable pet food. I find that I have had to temper my anger somewhat so that I can think clearly and help these animals get the safest food possible, because that is my current priority. I am saving that rage for a time when I can use it appropriately and effectively.

    So please, don’t forget your local shelter animals, it’s another way to help make a small difference for animals who are too often given the cheapest food people can donate.

    I’d like to thank PetConnection for this blog; its updates have been invaluable in helping us determine what foods to pull…often long before it becomes widespread knowledge.

    Comment by Gudewife — March 31, 2007 @ 12:34 pm

63. This is my second go at trying to post this since mid morning. Could be I don’t know to type my email.
    Comments in parentheses are mine:

    http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/.....recall.ap/
    Experts at the University of Guelph in Canada detected aminopterin in some samples of the recalled pet food, but only in very small percentages.
    “Biologically, that means nothing. It wouldn’t do anything,” said Grant Maxie, a veterinary pathologist at the university. “This is a puzzle.” (Just how many labs are involved in the network set up to deal with a biological threat? Do they cross national boundaries? Are there enough? Obviously not or many more samples of pet urine, kidneys and food would have already been done. Then there’s the issue of working with “sticky substances” when testing, which apparently is a problem. Is there anyone that can step up and fix this problem?)

    The FDA was working to rule out the possibility that the contaminated wheat gluten could have made it into any human food. (Oh, yeah and THAT is why the pet food issue takes a back seat. Because there are NOT enough resources to deal with this situation and first and foremost they want to protect human food sources.)
    [..]
    About 70 percent of the wheat gluten used in the United States for human and pet food is imported from the European Union and Asia, according to the Pet Food Institute, an industry group.

    One veterinarian suggested the international sourcing of ingredients would force the U.S. “to come to grips with a reality we had not appreciated.”

    “When you change from getting an ingredient from the supplier down the road to a supplier from around the globe, maybe the methods and practices that were effective in one situation need to be changed,” said Tony Buffington, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University. (Gee, ya think that’s the problem? Sigh…at least someone’s saying it out loud on mainstream press.)

    Oh and I might add that it wouldn’t hurt to also send letters to county officials. Here in Floriduh we are sick of unfunded mandates from state govt. and I’m sure county officials would like nothing better than to tell the state officials they’ve not done their job. Plus it helps to start at the local level to insure good communication. Then, no matter what the big boys do, the word will get out locally.
    And don’t forget to include copies of your letters to Durbin, et. al. just in case your representatives are more worried about the horrible horrible AG scandal.

    My dogs hate me - the second day in a row they’ve been nowhere. I just tell them to pretend I’m on vacation….not!

    Comment by Cathy — March 31, 2007 @ 12:36 pm

64. Mary Ann, is that tonight(Geraldo?)Thanks for the info!
    Nadine- glad that site helped - I am amazed, too that this story isn’t bigger - I guess I try not to be too cynical because that leads to inaction, IMO

    Comment by Robin — March 31, 2007 @ 12:37 pm

65. Yet another news/blog article:

    http://lucianne.com/threads2.asp?artnum=331992

    Gary

    Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 12:38 pm

66. Comment by Cathy — March 31, 2007 @ 12:36 pm

    Grass roots, Cathy. That’s why we are here. Thanks for that input. We should cheer on Tony Buffington.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:42 pm

67. Comment by Robin — March 31, 2007 @ 12:37 pm

    We are all furious but using our energy positively will be the greatest power of them all. We have voices and choices.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 12:47 pm

68. Maybe someone in the shipping container and cargo ship industry can let us know WHO the protected American wheat distributor is.

    Gary

    Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 12:50 pm

69. The safest thing to do would be to stay away from any food made at the MF plants. That being said, there have been NO reports of animals getting sick from eating wet Wellness, Innova, Newman’s Own. I hope these companys pull their business from Menu Foods. Unfortunately, they too are influenced by the almighty dollar - I wish just one company would step up and say “We don’t just say we value your pets health, we mean it. Until we can find another place to have our food manufactured, the food won’t be available”. Yeah, I know, only in fantasy land.

    Buffalo Blue manufactures their own wet and dry food - and their food contains no wheat gluten. They do have grain in their food - whole grain oats, barley - so I don’t think this is a problem. They state that their food is made from food OK’d for human consumption (not their fault, but I’m not so comforted by this anymore).

    I think dry foods from Wellness and Innova are fine. Their ingredients don’t include the following things to be avoided: MEAT by-products (can be any kind of meat, including euthanized cats and dogs), other by-products (this generally refers to food that did not pass inspection for human consumption), fillers like corn or wheat as one of the first ingredients, wheat gluten. Meal is OK as long as its made from the ingredients being used. That’s the one tough part - most of the web sites for natural/holistic/human grade pet foods don’t say whether they make their own meal or buy it from someone else (like menu foods maybe).

    Comment by Andrea — March 31, 2007 @ 12:52 pm

70. Comment by Robin — March 31, 2007 @ 12:37 pm

    Like you, I’m amazed this hasn’t blown up into headlines. Like many reporters, I’ve been trying so hard to pitch stories about this. But part of the problem is that the “official” (FDA) numbers are still so small, and it’s hard to find anyone to counter them, because there’s no regulatory structure in place to track them. It’s just immensely frustrating.

    And you’re right about cynicism, too. Never ascribe to malevolence that which can be adequately explained by ignorance. :) God knows I’m no Pollyanna about my industry, but I really believe there’s no conspiracy to keep this quiet. Just an overall lack of understanding about how big and horrible and hurtful and expensive this story really is.

    I usually cover politics, not pets. But to me, this *is* a political story, as far as the FDA’s bewildering refusal to do its stated job. Is it coincidence that there’s no oversight of a multi-billion dollar industry that gives a great deal of money to politicians?

    Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 12:55 pm

71. Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 12:55 pm

    For Laura, Steve, and all of you…are you familiar with the Senegalese environmentalist?

    “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.”—-Baba Dioum

    Media needs to teach.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 1:00 pm

72. http://www.newsagepress.com/foodpetsdiefor.html

    That $20 billion industry is now $40 billion!

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 1:03 pm

73. Andrea, thanks for the input on Blue Buffalo and the others. For now I’m going with home cooking for both my dogs and storing my dry Blue Buffalo. I agree; it’s sad but right now who can trust anybody in the business? My menu for them consists of chicken, brown rice, peas/carrots, beans and some pasta. I also tried making my own dog biscuits the other day. They came out pretty good. I used flour, oats and Quaker cornmeal, 1 beaten egg and a dash of garlic powder. Although some say to not give garlic powder, my dogs have been fine with the small amount I used. They’ve also been delighted with their new menu!

    Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 1:06 pm

74. Gina, everyone…

    “A network is nonhierarchical. It is a web of connections among equals. What holds it together is not force, obligation, material incentive, or social contract, but rather shared values and the understanding that some tasks can be accomplished together that could never be accomplished separately. One of the important purposes of a network is simply to remind its members that they are not alone.”

    - Donella H. Meadows (1941-2001)

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 1:08 pm

75. Okay, how about the “animal rescue” folks like the HSUS and ASPCA? I haven’t been to their websites, but what are they doing to inform us about the contaminated foods and the horrendous things that are happening in the pet food industry? They, too, should, IMHO, be on the front lines of information giving and lobbying for animal health and well-being. I think I will check them out so the next time they send me their “send money” literature I can respond with an informed decision.

    Comment by dottie — March 31, 2007 @ 1:25 pm

76. YES,GERALDO IS ON SAT NITE 8 PM EST. RICK IS ON CNN AT 10 PM SAT AND SUN.

    Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 1:35 pm

77. I know it gets old and depressing, too, but along with the total dead reported, can you also report the reported injured. I say injured because the issue is not a disease.

    Our cat lost a few more ounces of body weight so we stepped up our 8-week follow-up by 3 weeks… BUN is high 70’s and creatinine is in the high 7’s no real change or recovery now 10 weeks from the original diagnosis.

    After reading the description of the kind of kidney damage I wonder if some sort of ultrasound therapy might be used to unblock the tubules clogged with dead cells because of the organic solvent/poisen they were exposed to…

    Some of you might think it strange, but I don’t blame Menu for the contamination. Procedures that were in place were not adequate to discover this problem and no recommended test of product would reveal it…

    What I do blame them for is the delay in announcing a problem and initiating a recall, that was irresponsible to the customers, the company reputation, and the shareholders - it is not the problem that kills you, it is the hoping it will go away instead of standing up and dealing with it in a mature and responsible way. It is absolutely clear they did not move in a timely or public manner, and still do not do so…

    The blame for the contamination may not go to Menu, but it does go to the manufacturer. I don’t mean who Menu bought it from, the supplier who acquired the contaminated product and tested it to the level required, not until it is shown they knew something was wrong. I mean the people they got it from, the ones who out of ignorance or deliberation shipped toxic materials to their consumer…

    There is certainly more to it than the brief comments I have made can possibly cover, but when I read someone posting that the situation is out of control, I have to agree, it is out of control on both ends. When you are going to hang someone, make sure you know exactly who you are going to hang and exactly why.

    Make sure your rage is targeted at the right people and for the right reason, otherwise you are just part of a mob who wants to hang anyone at all no matter how minor or major their role was, so long as there is vengence…

    I’ll buy the rope…

    As for not revealing the companies in the supply chain. Understand that in this sort of matter the FDA wields enormous power, the rage of the mob… Remember a few days ago the blame was on aminopterin… but it could not be confirmed and now the suspect is an organic solvent used to make plastics… If the FDA released the wrong information then a company that did nothing wrong could be destroyed by the mob… They ablolutely have to release accurate and confirmed information or the results would be even more damaging than the facts at hand.

    Nobody wants the facts more than I, to know why my pet is so terribly sick, why my friends have sick or dead pets, and if there is anything at all which might restore even partial health to the survivors of this trajedy. I am just grateful that there are cooler heads in the places that matter.

    My prayers are for the pets and owners affected to be sure, but also for the mob to find clarity and that they do not also harm the innocent in their blood thirst justice…

    Comment by steve a — March 31, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

78. I believe the HSUS is involved in this tragic event. They state on their website their actions and intentions.

    http://www.hsus.org/

    I’m not sure about other organizations, but the ASPCA has been around for a long time and it’s my belief they’ve done wonders for animal welfare. I’m a member of both along with many others.

    Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 1:41 pm

79. Two things have been bothering me that I want to mention here. (No answers-just more questions.)
    1. Just cuz we have been successfully feeding a particular wet or dry food to our pet for years does not mean that we don’t have to be concerned. It is now obvious that pet food brands can, and do, occasionally change formulations, suppliers and manufacturers. It looks to me like every new bag or can must now be considered a potential minefield. How disheartening.

    2. What is happening to all the millions of cans and pouches of recalled food that was removed from store shelves, and returned to stores by worried pet owners? What about the recalled lots that were still sitting in warehouses? Is it possibly going into the garbage and local landfills where it can continue its deadly contamination in ways we can’t even begin to fathom? Regardless of what the actual taint ends up being, clearly it is poison and needs to be treated as such and disposed of as hazardous waste. What is to say this stuff won’t be reused or repackaged in some way? In my opinion it should all be under lock and key until it can be properly analyzed and then appropriately destroyed under strict supervision. If it IS being properly destroyed I need someone to verify that and tell me who is in charge. This concern also needs to be voiced to our government leaders.

    I have written to both my US Senators as of this morning.

    Comment by elizabeth — March 31, 2007 @ 1:41 pm

80. Why would any of you remain loyal to a brand that sourced from Menu Foods?

    The companies deceived you with their slick marketing about “natural”, “healthy” ingredients. All of those pleasant, high-priced ads were designed to add to their bottom line, not to keep your pets healthy. Reward the companies that were honest. Let the companies that used Menu Foods know that there is a price to pay for deception. If you lost a pet, like I did, I don’t think you would EVER do business with a company that used Menu Foods. If you had seen the agony my poor cat, my dear friend, was in from eating poison you might understand the sense of betrayal I feel toward Nutro.

    There is a lot of pain in the pet world - there needs to be more anger turned into positive actions such as promoting legislation to protect our pets from the companies that betrayed us. You can also vote with your wallets!

    Comment by MFEMFEM — March 31, 2007 @ 1:42 pm

81. clarification on my last comment; I should have written, the HSUS is trying to do something about this terrible tragedy and appears they are involved in a positive way.

    Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 1:45 pm

82. Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 1:45 pm

    Here is ASPCA’s update today:

    http://www.aspca.org/site/Page.....ess_033107

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 1:47 pm

83. I just got back from the vet and testing my young dog who had Nutro Puppy Slow Growth Natures Choice - his blood kidney levels are fine but he has a fever and is on a special diet from the vet - no wheat or wheat gluten.

    He ate some of the recalled Traders Joes wet - but not much of it.

    I think he is fine. After he gets off his ID he will go on a fresh boiled hamburger and sweet potato diet (as well as all the added human grade bone meal - not from China - and other goodies).

    I can’t rant anymore here about this tragedy. Now I am writing letters and calling - No e-mails to all my state and Fed reps.

    My new vet pulled the Canine MD too, not just the kitty brand. Said it was all pulled. More later. Time to go to the health food co-op and buy food for the week - nothing with wheat or wheat gluten. Thanks for all your good work here. I’m telling people at about your site - and spoke to a woman at the vets who was returning her kitty food MD - her cat died last week.

    Comment by Linda — March 31, 2007 @ 1:47 pm

84. alot of dogs get the runs on blue bufflo

    Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 1:53 pm

85. go to peta’s web site,they want all dry food yank !!!

    Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 1:58 pm

86. FDA Finds Melamine in Wheat Gluten used by Hill’s Pet Nutrition
    eMaxHealth.com, NC - 1 hour ago

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., of Topeka, Kansas, that FDA testing has detected melamine and melamine byproducts in wheat gluten received by the company to make dry cat food.

    http://www.emaxhealth.com/116/10666.html

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 2:08 pm

87. eMaxHealth.com, NC - 1 hour ago

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., of Topeka, Kansas, that FDA testing has detected melamine and melamine byproducts in wheat gluten received by the company to make dry cat food. FDA is conducting an investigation into pet food products made with wheat gluten that contains melamine and their association with reports of injury and deaths in cats and dogs.

    http://www.emaxhealth.com/116/10666.html

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 2:10 pm

88. SENATOR DURBIN (D-IL) PRESS CONFERENCE ON SUNDAY 03/31/07
    Howl 911 received an email today alerting us of Sen. Dick Durbin’s plans to hold a press conference to discuss the pet food crisis. The press conference is scheduled for Sunday, 04/01/07, in Springfield, IL at 1:30 p.m. (CDT). We are asking anyone with video of this conference to please let Howl 911 and our readers know where and when this video can be accessed.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 2:12 pm

89. My dogs never got the runs on Blue Buffalo but I’m not taking any chances. I’m lucky they’re small enough to eat lighter portions of home cooked foods so they don’t break my bank. I’m done with commercial dog food forever after this.

    I do plan on writing hand written letters to my local and state reps which I hope will help put my focus in a positive direction.

    Thanks to this wonderful website for such valuable, up to date info, and insight from other readers.

    Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 2:14 pm

90. PACKAGING

    Just an off-the-wall thought here. Packaging should be tested too. Melamine is involved in the production of polymers and polymer coatings. I just looked at the interior of my pet food bags. Some use an adhesive which also can involve melamine. I’m no chemist but I do know some plastics are not recommended for food storage. Am relying only on logic and common sense which often is overlooked in the haste!

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 2:17 pm

91. The ASPCA has been involved in the recall situation, was out in front doubting the original aminopterin theory, and have offered information regarding melamine and its possible physiological actions (though not enough is known at this time). Please see the press releases on their website for further information.

    Comment by Gudewife — March 31, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

92. Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 2:12 pm

    Great! Thanks for being on top of everything.

    A suggestion for all of us:

    Most of our hometown newspapers now have an on-line comment site where other citizens may view your message.

    I encourage everyone who is reading these blogs to submit this information about Durbin’s press conference tomorrow, as well as any information about the recall, websites, trackers, web logs, addresses to send snail mail to government, etc.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 2:25 pm

93. Anyone having trouble posting? Seems to be a glitch.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

94. Can anyone recommend a kitten chow that does not contain wheat or wheat gluten? We lost our cat to tainted food and we went to the local animal shelter and brought home two 8 wk old kittens. I DO NOT want to harm them with the wrong food…

    Comment by Cindy — March 31, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

95. “The safest thing to do would be to stay away from any food made at the MF plants.”

    At this point, I would advise staying away from any food that contains wheat gluten since the FDA won’t report which companies received “adulterated” supplies.

    Comment by Dee — March 31, 2007 @ 2:29 pm

96. Maybe flood control is on. Wouldn’t surprise me if this site sees a pretty massive spike in traffic this weekend.

    Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

97. Anyone having trouble posting? Seems to be a glitch.

    Steve, it’s probably because there are so many readers to the site. I had difficulty myself.

    Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

98. I quit using IAMS wet, however their dry kitten food does not contain wheat or wheat gluten. Which brings me back to my other question…if some dry foods do not contain wheat or wheat gluten, yet apparently many are having negative responses to it, how can anyone say with 100% certainty that their dry food is okay? I’m not being paranoid, I’m just trying to point out that wheat gluten doesn’t seem to be the answer to everything.

    Comment by Carole — March 31, 2007 @ 2:41 pm

99. Your blogging team needed a little break. :) First-time commenters are moderated. As for any additional slow response … well … we have had a lot of traffic.

    I just just cleared all the moderated comments, zapped all the spam. Everything seems to be coming though OK, now.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 31, 2007 @ 2:41 pm

100. Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 31, 2007 @ 2:41 pm

     No need to explain! I just the upside spike on your sites traffic on Alexis web stats. Looks like your going to have a busy weekend. Hope you have some good coffee in stock.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 2:47 pm

101. I’m sorry I have been so obcessed with all this.. My heart and soul really really really misses my cat miss Cuddles.. I can’t Breathe.. I have a hard time functioning.. I can’t beleive my hunny-pie is Gone.. Feb.17th.. The pain seems t o be getting Worser!! I Agree.. They hurt my Baby!! I miss and Love my Sweet Cat Miss Cuddles wit hAll my heart.. She’s in a Casket not buried yet.. My pain is Great! I feel So alone and HURT NOT FAIR!! NOT FAIR I miss my BABy so Much.. i’m Hurting, and CRYING HELP!!! Kelly B!!!

     Comment by kelly — March 31, 2007 @ 2:48 pm

102. steve contact fox news channel about press confernce

     Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 2:49 pm

103. i google blue buffleo food and read the reviews on it. i;m thinking of going organic. i saw it on cnn.com

     Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 2:52 pm

104. I currently have a dog at the vet going through a dialysis on her kidneys and she is in day 2 of the process and is responding well and has her levels going back down. We got her in pretty quickly after showing signs of constant dehydration. She hadnt started throwing up yet but was starting to become slightly lethargic. She had been eating the Mighty Dog pouches.

     I have seen many cases around of deceased pets, but how many pet owners going through this have had their pets survive?? How many were told their pet will make a full recovery and live normally?? Are there any survivors??

     Comment by Brannon — March 31, 2007 @ 2:57 pm

105. I might have found Paul Hendersons email address if you really want to tell him how you feel.

     phenderson@menufoods.com

     I hope he has a blackberry!!!!

     Comment by Hekilledmycat — March 31, 2007 @ 3:06 pm

106. My cat Molly died after eating Iams canned food and going into renal failure. Is anyone setting up a class action suit for the victims?

     Comment by Judy Chappel — March 31, 2007 @ 3:16 pm

107. Dear Kelly B,

     I am so sad for you too. It is so, so terrible what has happened. Those people are KILLERS! That is the only way I look at it—KILLERS!

     I feel your pain and cry over the thought of possibly losing my best friend too.

     I wish there was soemthing I could say to make you feel better, but I now there is nothing that will. Just know your baby is now your angel. She will always be in your heart, mind, and soul. She was an innocent creature who loved you. She still loves you. Its OK to cry and OK to feel the loss. But, please be strong and keep yourself healthy. Maybe there is another sweet baby in need of rescue. When the time is right, you will find her. Nothing can replace what you have lost, but there is always love out there waiting to be given.

     You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of yourself.

     ~Jeanna

     PS…here is a GREAT cat forum that gives a lot of support to all cat lovers!

     http://www.cat-world.com.au/forums

     Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 3:18 pm

108. Kelly my heart goes out to you and everone else this has touched. When my baby boy only 3 1/2 died mysteriously the only thing i could come up with for the vet was a new bag of
     Science Diet Light Adult I had opened. At the urging of the vet I called Hill’s and they had me send the leftover food in for testing to them. My first question to the vet was if it was the food “WOULD THEY ADMIT IT”. Now my question is with all the flack they are all taking with the canned foods “HOW MUCH WILL THEY ADMIT TO WITH THE DRY FOOD”. I have tried to contact Hill’s since they have had “Puffs” dry food and no one calls me back. My vet was able to contact their vet and they told her that since all the canned scare “Puffs” case has been pushed back and
     we will pribably not know anything until late April at the earliest. I really feel that they are hoping that the dry food does not come into the spotlight and they can try to hide as much damage to their industry as possible. My stomach is still turning thinking that all this happened to my cat approx 2 weeks before all of this recall started and if I had only known then. Thanks again to everyone that is posting here to keep this issue alive.

     In loving memory of my baby boy “puff”

     Comment by Jackie — March 31, 2007 @ 3:22 pm

109. How many were told their pet will make a full recovery and live normally?? Are there any survivors?? Comment by Brannon — March 31, 2007 @ 2:57 pm

     No one in the professional circles and veterinary communities has commented yet on what the possible outcome of this or the long term effects are going to be. Your not alone in your concerns. And yes there are pets who have recovered. When your pet gets home from the Vet some TLC and patience is the order of the day. Recovery from even a nasty flu doesn’t happen instantaneously. Animals are very stoic and forgiving. So don’t let guilt get the best of you.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 3:23 pm

110. Cindy-

     I recently switched my cats to Blue Buffalo foods and they seem to be very happy and don’t miss their old food (the Science Diet reommended by my vet) at all. Blue Buffalo makes both wet and dry kitten foods.

     Blue Buffalo has no wheat gluten in it and is not made by Menu.

     Hope that helps.

     Comment by Nicole — March 31, 2007 @ 3:30 pm

111. Please watch the dog food and treats advertised as natural and sold in health food stores too. I went to Pet Guard’s site and they say they are not affected by the recall but a Pet Guard International site written in Chinese also came up. Pedigree DentaStix are made in Thailand so maybe hold off on these until more info is known about their recall.

     Comment by Sue Dunn — March 31, 2007 @ 3:32 pm

112. Dear Brannon,
     I, too, have 2 dogs who were treated for constant dehydration at the vets. They are both home now eating prescription diets and will be retested next week to see if their kidneys are back to normal function. We are some of the lucky ones. However, I have already had someone from “Sedwick Claims” contact me wanting to “settle” without paying the total vet bills.

     Comment by Jody — March 31, 2007 @ 3:34 pm

113. Brannon,
     My dogs were also eating the Mighty Dog pouches.

     Comment by Jody — March 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm

114. Thanks you guys are so helpful.. I went to my local media and the intenet news Made Fron tpage.. It at least raised Awareness.. We should All Contact the MEDIA Let the Public know !! Cotact the MEDIA ASAP .. Maybe more wil be Done .. God Bless you Everyone… Her Spirit Called me on this one I know ACTION has to BE TAKEN NOW.. TEST all Pet Food, and Go to the MEDIA!! God Bless.. Love Kelly B.

     Comment by kelly — March 31, 2007 @ 3:44 pm

115. sue dunn,my dogs got so sick from DENTA STIX and the jawbone. my dogs loved dingo bones and they also come from china NO MORE DINGO’S FOR MY 2 DIVAS.I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO FEED THEM.

     Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 3:46 pm

116. AAFCO
     http://www.aafco.org/

     Who are these people? they are on every can of pet food and claim to be the authority on pet foods but I see nothing on their site about the recall.

     Gary

     Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 3:47 pm

117. There has been a lot of mention of Blue Buffalo. Folks, Blue Buffalo has good ingredients and they are not associated with Menu Foods. HOWEVER, they do outsource their food from other companies. In a business journal they are listed as “Wholesale pet food suppliers”. Someone else stated they make their own foods, so that is not entirely true. They do monitor the processing closely, according to sources, but please, it should be noted that they do not have 100% control. They are owned by the Green Group, a financial investment firm in New Jersey.

     I want to be sure the food I buy is from a company that is in the business of making pet food because they love pets. I’m not comfortable with buying my pet food from ANY company that relies on trusting someone else. That’s what got us in this mess in the first place.

     Please go to:http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

     This site still has to be taken with a grain of salt, however, it seems to be the most complete and up-to-date in terms of who makes what and where.

     Comment by Jaycee — March 31, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

118. How about listing ingredients in order of mass, not weight? Check this out from What’s Really in Pet Food (http://www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359&more=1):

     Ingredients are listed on the label by weight, and raw chicken weighs a lot, since it contains a lot of water. If you look further down the list, you’re likely to see ingredients such as chicken or poultry by-product meal, meat-and-bone meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, or other high-protein meal. Meals have had the fat and water removed, and basically consist of a dry, lightweight protein powder. It doesn’t take much raw chicken to weigh more than a great big pile of this powder, so in reality the food is based on the protein meal, with very little “chicken” to be found. This has become a very popular marketing gimmick, even in premium and “health food” type brands.

     Also, not to freak people out further, but my cat developed tumors a couple of years ago and deteriorated rapidly and died (within one week). The tumor had been there a month or so while the vet tried to determine what it was (I thot it might be related to the rampant rumor about vaccines causing tumors, since it was in that spot where they give the shots). The vet sent me to a specialist outfit well known here in San Francisco and after tests/scans they found 2 more tumors one near the liver and one in the abdomen. From that date to death was one week, as the cat seemed to go further downhill every day. This was a young cat (10 years) and VERY healthy, rambunctious up to this point. The vet said cats are very good about hiding how sick they are, and that what seemed rapid to me was probably “coming due” for quite awhile. However, when I told a friend (we call her “the cat lady” since she takes care of wild cats near our office complex) what happened, she said it was the food. She told me another of our co-workers had a cat who had tumors and died a few years before that. The vet who found the tumors took her cat off Iams dry food, and my friend had “cat sat” for me over the years so she knew I fed that same food too. I sort of put it out of my mind, thinking it was too silly that it would be such a common food… wouldn’t you be hearing about it all over the place? Then just a few months ago (November), my next-door neighbor told me a condo board meeting that his cat (15 years) had developed tumors and died. And since I’ve cat sat for him, I knew he too fed the Iams dry cat food. At that point, I took my new cat off the Iams and haven’t used it since. It seems too much to be “coincidence.” Given all of this recent info surrounding this recall, here is what I have learned:
     1) No one tests ALL cat food before it is bagged/canned/pouched. In fact, apparently NONE of it is tested.
     2) No one tracks animal deaths on a national basis to determine if there are upticks in causes (tumors, renal failure, etc.).
     3) No one still knows for sure what is causing this recent problem, and already two possibly toxic substances have been found. How many more are there and how long have they been in the pet food supply (I still don’t trust that it’s just one “batch” of wheat glutin from a “new” supplier and not a standard industry practice since apparently they’ll buy anything if it’s the right price and we all know Asia has to be cheaper for everything, not just wheat glutin).
     4) It seems like there’s a potential for a lot of yo-yo in the ingredients used in the exact same pet food “recipe” over time, particularly if they contain by-products or meal. Again, see the Web site I gave. Given this, I’m still not sure my pet wasn’t poisoned by his food.

     Also, I know exactly when my cat got sick, as he started doing that thing where they lick the fur off their abdomen and hind legs. He was licking the exact spot where they found one of the tumors. I knew it wasn’t nerves, but rather pain, because he would bolt out of a dead sleep and lick that spot furiously. Took him to a vet, and they didn’t find anything. It wasn’t until a few months later that I saw a tumor develop on his back where they give the shots. Took him to UC Davis (famous vet hospital in these parts) and they said it was benign. Then a few months later, he went downhill in one week from first symptoms (runny eyes, lethargy, lack of appetite). All of this developed after I started regularly feeding this cat the Iams dry food (thinking a “premium” brand might stop the licking problem if it was some kind of food allergy).

     Of course, I know it could also have nothing to do with the food, but when you can’t verify it through testing and the authorities aren’t being very forthcoming, it makes one wonder…

     All I know is that I’m much more careful about checking out the ingredients and talking to the “pet experts” who have no financial ties to the food companies (ie, animal adoption and professional cat caretakers I know). I still think of my friend who said long ago “It’s the food.” Maybe she’s psychic :)

     Comment by Carolyn Constantino — March 31, 2007 @ 3:51 pm

119. AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials is a commercial enterprise which attempts to regulate the quality and safety of fodder and pet food in the United States.

     For what thats worth.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 3:53 pm

120. Thank you for clarifying Blue Buffalo. In the past year I started to feed both my dogs that brand along with some home cooked foods. After all that’s been going on now, I’m never feeding my dogs anything but meals I prepare myself from my own kitchen. This sure is a horrible lesson to be learned. My heart goes out to all the lost pets and their owners.

     Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 3:58 pm

121. Thanks Steve. Going by their name, every word which sounds authoratative, seems they would be at the forefront of what’s going on, investigative wise.

     Gary

     Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 4:02 pm

122. Meanwhile, now they are blaming the cats for being “more sensitive” to chemicals. This article is the biggest tailspin yet:

     http://www.comcast.net/news/in.....24757.html

     I am getting really angry! We cannot let this go on!

     Menu Foods must be stopped!

     Comment by Jaycee — March 31, 2007 @ 4:09 pm

123. Steve—-

     Found this interesting piece—-particularly in light of the lack of veterinary collaboration in the current dilemma, i.e. one-medicine concept. More food for thought here:

     http://www.avma.org/onlnews/ja.....70401b.asp

     Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 4:16 pm

124. Hi all. Just got back from the Health Food Co-op and I have had a big wake-up call.

     First of all, I spotted a gurney filled with bluk food containers - and I started looking at the country of origin. Bolivia on some, Mexico on some, and I asked the man filling the bulk containers, “How am I to know where this food is from.” And he said, “ask.” Ask, just list it why don’t ya. I won’t buy China. He told me the pumpkin seeds in bulk were from China. So I walked around the store, picking up various safe items and avoiding anything from a foreign country - my cart was virtually empty when I left.

     I filled out a form and mentioned that they needed to put more info. on their bulk foods. The only way to be sure of where the raw ingredients come from, is to call the 1-800 number and ask. The flour he said was from San Francisco. This is suspicious. It probably came over on a ship from China.

     Oh my. What a day. Wake up call #1,000 and counting.

     Comment by Linda — March 31, 2007 @ 4:28 pm

125. I am encouraging people to email the CEO of Menu Foods to express themselves and possibly send photos of thier pets.

     His email is:

     phenderson@menufoods.com

     Perhaps he won’t be as smug at the next Press Conference.

     Comment by Hekilledmycat — March 31, 2007 @ 4:28 pm

126. They don’t grow any Wheat in San Fransisco.

     I can tell you that much.

     Comment by Hekilledmycat — March 31, 2007 @ 4:38 pm

127. A great letter that certainly made me raise an eyebrow:

     MAD AS HELL YET?

     by Robert Jay Russell, Ph.D., President, Coton de Tulear Club of America
     CotonNews@aol.com
     http://www.CotonClub.com

     Presidential candidates throughout US history have reminded voters that as president, their first obligation is to protect the citizens of the US. George W certainly emphasized that fact after more than 3,000 citizens died in a terrorist attack under his watch.

     So what if I told you that recently, terrorists had poisoned a major portion of the US grain supply by dumping subtle poisons in imported wheat gluten. Tens of thousands of American pets, like canaries in a carbon monoxide-filled coal mine, had died. More were dying and suffering every day. Americans continued consuming these same low grade but deadly chemicals in their breads, pastas, fast foods, frozen diners and breakfast cereals.

     Now what if I further told you that the Executive branch agencies in charge of ostensibly protecting the U.S. food supply KNEW the country of origin, the grain, and the supplier’s brand product that contained the poison. And these agencies absolutely refused to divulge the name of the supplier of the poisoned grain to either food processors (who had potentially bought the grain) or to the American public who was consuming it. In short, these government officials stood by and watched pets die and watched people continue to get poisoned and they covered up these corporate felonies to protect the company profits involved. And a felony it surely is to knowingly sell a dangerously tainted product to food processors and the public.

     Every day, one company or another would voluntarily announce that they were recalling their product. None assumed any culpability for their crimes of omission. The crisis continued as long as corporate lawyers determined that recalling a poisoned product would cost a company more than selling the product and fielding an odd law suit from the families of victims. Obviously, when that cost/benefit tipping point was reached, the company — under the guidance of guileful attorneys — would reluctantly issue a recall.

     Finally, what if I told you that with the possible exception of the terrorist scenario, everything mentioned here is exactly what’s going on right now in the US of A. Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore, are you? Or are you and me like the majority of Americans today: sitting down, looking at your pets and family (who seem healthy), and saying once again, “Terrible, thing, really but, oh well, not in my backyard.”

     Maybe that’s the attitude all us unaffected Americans ought to take. After all, I lost no friends or relatives when the Twin Towers fell. No one I know has been maimed or killed in Iraq. My town was not destroyed by a hurricane and left to rot (heckuva’ job, Brownie). My pets are all fine and dandy. My little part of the homeland seems secure.

     Of course with that thinking, the next natural disaster, the next terrorist attack, the next poisoning or massive environmental contamination may affect me and my family. Then what?

     —————————————————————
     ** You may crosspost wherever you want. Please leave the attributions **
     (c)2007 Dr. R. J. Russell

     Comment by Jaycee — March 31, 2007 @ 4:48 pm

128. Oh my. What a day. Wake up call #1,000 and counting. Comment by Linda — March 31, 2007 @ 4:28 pm

     There is that and then other issues. Our local organic farmers co-op are getting concerned about issues like cross contamination from GM seed and Corporate farming methods. You have organics and then right down the road you have a farmer on the Monsanto feeding trough clueless as to the numerous issues and concerns of GM crops and seed other then it works, I make good money, and the Company says it’s safe. Money money money. It’s all about Money.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

129. Sorry, should have clarified. I fed my cat Iams dry food regularly before the licking problem started… just not consistently. About every 3 bags I would switch off the Purina/Chef’s Blend stuff and give him the “better” stuff. Then when he started licking his fur off while on the cheaper stuff, I decided to keep him on the “better” stuff consistently to see if that stopped the licking. Then the tumor showed up. Since one of the substances they identified in this problem apparently has caused tumors in mice and has not been extensively tested for effects on cats, I’m wondering if that might be a culprit. Does anyone know anything about this connection with tumors in mice and what that might mean for cats? Iams is (was?) a popular food, so it could truly just be a coincidence that all three of us were simply feeding our cats the same food and it had nothing to do with the fact that all three got tumors. It just would be nice to know. I’ve had many cats over the years, but this one had an extra special personality.

     Comment by Carolyn Constantino — March 31, 2007 @ 4:50 pm

130. Well, honestly, I hope that Sundlof said that stuff “yesterday” and not today.

     http://abcnews.go.com/Business.....id=2998132
     Testing by the FDA and Cornell University has found melamine in samples of recalled pet food as well as in crystal form in the urine and kidney tissue of dead cats. They’ve also found the chemical, in apparently raw form in concentrations as high as 6.6 percent, in wheat gluten used as ingredient of the recalled cat and dog foods, said Stephen Sundlof, the FDA’s chief veterinarian.

     “There was a sizable amount of melamine. You could see crystals in the wheat gluten,” Sundlof told The Associated Press.
     [..]
     Sundlof said the FDA hadn’t found any studies of melamine in cats, and the results of only a single 1945 study that tested it on dogs. That study suggested the chemical increased urine output when fed to dogs in large amounts.
     [..]
     The investigation has traced the melamine to wheat gluten that Menu Foods, Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Hill’s Pet Nutrition bought from an unnamed U.S. supplier. The latter two companies have recalled a limited number of products since Friday. The wheat gluten, a protein source, was imported from China.

     Sundlof said the recall could expand further, depending whether other pet food manufacturers also bought wheat gluten from the same supplier.

     “We’re still in the process of tracing it at this point,” Sundlof said. There is no indication the wheat gluten entered the human food supply, he added.

     Comment by Cathy — March 31, 2007 @ 4:58 pm

131. “We’re still in the process of tracing it at this point,” Sundlof said. There is no indication the wheat gluten entered the human food supply, he added.

     Not yet. I believe that’s why there’s silence. They’re tracing it like mad. I keep thinking about the pasta imported from Italy sitting in my pantry. If the richest nation on earth can’t monitor or track tainted imports, what about Italy and others? This is not just a U.S. problem.

     Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 5:07 pm

132. Oh wow. That really is a great letter. Really makes you think. I think all newspapers, websites, and news broadcast should be showing that letter. I beleive there is a lot of truth to it.

     Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 5:08 pm

133. Here is a copy I just cut/pasted from my comment I submitted this morning under a different post/comment section. I’m learning my way around this site. I think this is better suited over here.

     I don’t understand something here. I just read on ABC News that the CDC tracked down peanut butter contamination and that ConAgra foods plant IS SHUT DOWN! Why on earth can they not shut down Menu Foods??!! Are our beloved pets not important enough? They are our babies and deserve equal protection, just by the fact that they’re living beings and rely on PEOPLE to protect and watch out for them. Menu Foods is crossing a fine line here in my opinion; bordering on animal cruelty?!
     This madness must end!!!!! If they REALLY cared about animals they would’ve stopped ALL production until they traced back every single step to find the exact source and weeded it out. But, no. Instead they’re using poor, innocent pets as guinea pigs. I’d like to see them test the food themselves. If they’re still standing after eating it, then allow them to sell the crap!

     Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 6:16 am

     Comment by Mary — March 31, 2007 @ 5:09 pm

134. Don’t feed your pets any food with corn gluten or soy gluten either. Our cat died after eating Hill’s Prescription c/d Dry which has corn gluten. I think any product with any type of gluten should be tested for possible contamination. Don’t risk your pet’s life just because your vet says it is ok. He might not have sufficient information yet.

     Comment by Janice — March 31, 2007 @ 5:10 pm

135. Radio host going to talk about the hiding of where the poisoned wheat came from.

     KSFO 560 AM, SF Bay Area. 4 pm - Now local.

     I believe this is true, I caught the tailend of the talk show schedule.

     Gary

     Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 5:14 pm

136. First let me say how sorry I am for all who have lost pets to this catastrophe - I lost a greyhound last spring to kidney - not related to this recall . Maybe others have done this but google of wheat gluten produces a pointer to the International Wet Gluten Association - it has 4 US members - 2 which appear to be only US based (Manildra Milling and MGP Ingrediants (midwest grain) - the other 2 are Archer, Daniels Midland and US Energy Partners - from their web page, I can’t figure out how US Energy relates to wheat gluten - and while maybe these companies have nothing to do with the china import - maybe they do - anyone have related research?

     Comment by lorinda — March 31, 2007 @ 5:17 pm

137. Fox just mentioned that there were all of ‘16 deaths’. Get a clue! Why in the world is the media completely whitewashing this? Usually the media blows everything out of proportion, but on this issue it’s sweep it under the rug. Outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     Comment by Ron — March 31, 2007 @ 5:19 pm

138. Comment by lorinda

     “I can’t figure out how US Energy relates to wheat gluten”

     Very possibly ETHANOL from corn, the next “hope of the world”?

     Gary

     Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 5:22 pm

139. Ive posted this before but considering the picture of the note on the shelf I thought it was appropriate to mention it again.

     I advised Mills Fleet Farm’s store manager in Manitowoc Wi. about the death of my old pal Brandy just before noon on Saturday the 17th and give him information about the recall and one of the remaining cans from the single case of Sprout dog food I bought there.

     The reaction of Fleet Farm corporate was to put their remaining stock ON SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     At least your store thought better of doing yet more harm.

     By the following Tuesday I spoke to our vet who even in the face of symptoms consistent with the recall and unable to identify any alternative explanation for them said that she was “comfortable” with her original diagnosis of the symptoms being a “red herring” for bladder tumors citing only the fact that our particular lot was not on the list…

     I have since spoken the someone from the FDA who seemed astounded at that news.
     I was told to hold the remaining cans for pickup and testing.

     Question: Does your database tell us anything about suspicious deaths using food purchased after the recall began?

     Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — March 31, 2007 @ 5:29 pm

140. This explains it better than I can:

     USEP was built in 2001 by Fagen Inc. and utilizes ICM Inc. process technology. The 40 MMgy facility takes in milo and wheat starch as feedstocks, is equipped with cogeneration capabilities that return excess electricity back to the grid of the local community, and has a wheat-gluten processing facility on-site. In addition, the Russell location served as an operators training facility for ICM, which had an ownership stake in the facility.

     “This isn’t just an ethanol plant,” said Kevin Kuykendall of White Energy Ltd. “It is a complex, and the integrated operations were very attractive. This is one of the most well-run 40 MMgy plants in the country operating an ethanol refinery, a feed mill and a wheat gluten facility.”

     Kuykendall said the management team provided by ICM will continue to operate the plant.

     The wheat-gluten plant adjacent to U.S. Energy Partners delivers about one-third of the ethanol plant’s feedstock in the form of emulsified slurry. Wheat gluten is a product sold into the baking industry throughout the country. Each of the products of USEP—ethanol, carbon dioxide, distillers wet and dried grains, and wheat gluten—are sold by third parties into respective markets.

     Comment by Carole — March 31, 2007 @ 5:37 pm

141. every day as i read all these heartbreaking stories of beloved pets dying and being very ill because of what menu foods did ,to my pets,your pets, the over 2,600 pets that did not have to die like this. this is so dam sad and i’m so pissed off that all of these pet food co’s did not know that menu foods was doing. this getting wheat from china what the hell is wrong with getting the wheat from usa.as another person wrote, every one who lost a pet send mendu foods a picture of your beloved pet.

     Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 5:41 pm

142. thanks carole, so the last co standing in the association that likely imports wheat gluten from abroad is archer, daniels, midland - still may not be definitive, but interesting

     Comment by lorinda — March 31, 2007 @ 5:51 pm

143. Some wealthy contributor’s factory dumping cyanide into the local water supply? Never mentioned in the media.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 5:53 pm

144. Gary, as an X farmer and someone still close to agriculture let me explain why ethanol has EVERYTHING to do with this…

     The US government and several states with large farm economies (including Wisconsin) decided it would be cool to subsidize ethanol production from corn even though it is highle questionable as to whether any actual energy is produced since it takes so much to grow the crop, dry, transport, re-wet, ferment, distill and distribute it. Some suggest it is actually a 29% net energy loss according to one noted university’s study.

     But if it does do one thing - it does consume corn!

     Corn demand affects demand for all grains since many products like corn and wheat glutins are interchangeable for many products AND farmers will eagerly divert acreage to corn from other crops like soybeans if corn prices go out out of proportion. This creates shortages of those grains as well. Also futures markets reflect this first and companies that buy these commodities watch these markets closely and use them to lock in prices at nominal prices as much as they can.

     With now upwards of 250 new ethanol plants in the US all bidding up corn prices have risen drastically. Where have they stopped? They have now topped out at about $4.00/bu. Why is that significant? According to articles in magazines like Farm Journal and Agri-View that is about the break even price for most ethanol plants.

     Now in a competitive industry like pet food grain and its by-products have long been used as a cheap filler. But with record grain prices it has sent companies like Menu Foods scrambling for cheaper sources and substitutes.

     Now along comes China. Normally a food importer why is China suddenly exporting gluten? How about because the alternative was probably to dump it in the Yang Tze? But as Lenin once said, “The Capitalists will sell us the ropes the hang them with!”

     I do not begrudge farmers a decent price but what happened here (apparently) is that some pencil neck cost accountant went trolling about for a cheaper source of previously cheap filler and saw a promotion in this deal…

     So my dog and your cats and dogs are dead and SUV owners can drive around with a clear consience because they are fueling it with bio “green” fuel and anything you want to buy from China is just OK because the market controlls all… Yeah right.

     Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — March 31, 2007 @ 5:53 pm

145. I’ve read so much lately I’m not sure if I’ve already seen this in print or if it’s new…”DEL MONTE PET PRODUCTS VOLUNTARILY WITHDRAWS SPECIFIC PRODUCT CODES OF PET TREATS AND WET DOG FOOD PRODUCTS”. It’s dated March 31, 2007 07:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time. Find it at
     http://home.businesswire.com/p.....jsp?ndmVic
     It says, “Del Monte Pet Products customers can visit our website (ww.delmonte.com) or contact our Consumer Hotline at (800) 949-3799 for further information about the recall and for instructions on obtaining a product refund.”. It lists several items including Jerky Treats Beef Flavor Dog Snacks, Gravy Train Beef Sticks Dog Snacks, Pounce Meaty Morsels Moist Chicken Flavor Cat Treats and several Ol’ Roy Products!!!

     Comment by Phyllis — March 31, 2007 @ 5:54 pm

146. Sorry, the link doesn’t work…the website is http://www.delmonte.com and a call to the 800 number (800-949-3799 provides a recorded message that confirms the printed article!!!

     Comment by Phyllis — March 31, 2007 @ 5:58 pm

147. Comment by Phyllis — March 31, 2007 @ 5:54 pm

     Thanks for posting this info, Phyllis, this sounds news.

     Perhaps this link will work? (Found via google news.)

     http://home.businesswire.com/p.....ewsLang=en

     Comment by karen — March 31, 2007 @ 6:04 pm

148. but what happened here (apparently) is that some pencil neck cost accountant went trolling about for a cheaper source of previously cheap filler and saw a promotion in this deal…
     Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — March 31, 2007 @ 5:53 pm

     Great post Bernie. No surprise. Energy is the root cause of all our problems. The life blood of Capitalism.

     I wonder if that bean counter thinks “keep repeating the mantra “Globalization is a GOOD thing” while he toodle’s for cost cutting deals with China?

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:13 pm

149. Oregon’s numbers, as of Friday:

     Total Dead: 30
     Total Sick: 90

     Dead dogs: 13
     Dead cats: 17

     Sick dogs: 30
     Sick cats: 60

     http://www.kgw.com/animal_news.....db3a0.html

     Rough extrapolations, so far:
     A) 30 dead in 1 state (Oregon) x 50 states = 1500 possible dead
     B) If Oregon has 1% of the nation’s population x 30 dead in Oregon = 3000 possible dead

     We’ll never know the true numbers… keep in mind that Oregon’s numbers are just what the State Vet believes can be connected… there may be many more that ARE connected but can’t be proven to be connected.

     Comment by Sarah — March 31, 2007 @ 6:17 pm

150. Comment by Phyllis — March 31, 2007 @ 5:54 pm

     Good Lord. It’s getting worse by the day.

     Del Monte Pet Products Voluntarily Withdraws Specific Product Codes of Pet Treats and Wet Dog Food Products
     Saturday March 31, 7:14 pm ET

     http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070331......html?.v=1

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:17 pm

151. So, this must be the third company to get the tainted wheat gluten. Great find, Phyllis- thanks!

     Comment by Robin — March 31, 2007 @ 6:19 pm

152. “The Company took this voluntary recall action immediately after learning this morning from the FDA that wheat gluten supplied to Del Monte Pet Products from a specific manufacturing facility in China contained melamine. Melamine is a substance not approved for use in food. The FDA made this finding as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent pet food recall.”

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:25 pm

153. Congressional Hearings. Criminal Investigation.

     Everyone agree? I certainly do.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:31 pm

154. Here is what Del Monte said last week.

     Del Monte Pet Products

     * Brands include Cycle, Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘n Bits, MeowMix, Nature’s Recipe, Reward, Skippy, 9Lives
     * None of their products are manufactured by Menu Foods

     Source PetUSA.com

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:37 pm

155. The source of contamination “wheat gluten from China” was identified by the FDA and Menu Foods over a month ago. I just can’t believe these caring pet food manufacturers are only starting to step up to the plate. Oh no, we don’t need regulation, we regulate ourselves…

     Comment by Sandro — March 31, 2007 @ 6:37 pm

156. Wait a minute. The FDA had to inform Del Monte they have poisoned wheat gluten from China in their products?

     Phew Man we got problems.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:38 pm

157. MENU FOODS RETAINS CRAWFORD & COMPANY 03/31/07
     In a phone call from Menu Foods, one bereaved pet parent was advised of the following:
     Menu Foods has retained Crawford & Company. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Crawford & Company is the world’s largest independent provider of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities, with a global network of more than 700 offices in 63 countries. Major service lines include:

     * Property and casualty claims management
     * Integrated claims and medical management for
     workers’ compensation
     * Legal settlement administration, including class
     action and warranty inspections
     * Risk management information services

     Representatives of the company are placing calls to prospective claimants against Menu Foods and asking pet owners for pertinent information regarding the types of pets, foods purchased, dates, medical information and expenses incurred. The company provides the pet owner with a claim number and is notifying them to expect a claims package in the mail. It is not clear how or where Crawford and Company is obtaining the names of potential claimants.

     Editor’s note: Pet parents who have joined in a class action suit or who have retained independent legal counsel are strongly advised to first consult your attorney before volunteering any information or physical materials to Crawford & Company.

     http://howl911.com/

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

158. yes ,steve there needs to hearings big time over this. does anyone have a pet on wellness? are they doing good? i gave it to the dogs one dog ate it and 1 didn’t just smelled it and walked away.right now they are on nutro ,but so many pets have died from nutro and iams. i don’t know what is safe to feed them. every week it’s more bad news.nutro is supposed to be the best food.

     Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

159. http://www.itchmo.com/read/men.....e_20070331

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:43 pm

160. Comment by MARY ANN — March 31, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

     Yes. Our Cat is on Wellness Wet. Chicken Formula We are a nervous wreck. But she’s fine. Good appetite. No problems. “Yet”

     My posts earlier today.
     http://www.petconnection.com/b.....ment-18320
     http://www.petconnection.com/b.....ment-18308

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:47 pm

161. Hey people. Does this mean that the dry food Meow Mix for cats if also contaiminated? I feed this to my cat every day. I still have one cat left after losing my wonderful companion, TC. He was 15 years old but very active, happy, playful and loving until suddenly he stopped eating and began to go downhill every day. He lasted about 2 weeks and died on March 27, in my arms. I promised him I would stick with him to the end and I did. These suppliers and manufacturers need to be more like that and stick it out to the end no matter what happens. No running and hiding behind phooney press releases, etc. Balogny!!

     Comment by Linda Tsatskowski — March 31, 2007 @ 6:50 pm

162. We, the Undersigned, endorse the following petition:
     Petition to Require Pet Food Companies to be Held Accountable for Damages
     Target: Dave Obey, Congressman D-WI, Chairman of House Appropriations Committee, US House of Representatives
     Sponsor: Ben Huh, http://www.itchmo.comSignatures: 136
     Goal: 100,000
     Deadline: Ongoing…
     See Full Petition
     Email this Petition
     WE, THE UNDERSIGNED:
     Request than the U.S. Congress enact legislation to require pet food manufacturers and the companies that market those pet food brands to be held financially liable for any medical costs related to or contributing to the illness and/or death of a pet that can be reasonably attributed to the food consumed by the pet. And that all pet foods include the name of the manufacturer, not just the brand under which it is sold.
     Thank you, Georgeann!
     You signed this petition at:
     5:29 PM PDT, Mar 31, 2007
     If this is not you, please log out.

     View Signatures: | >|
     Number Date Name Zip/Postal Code Leave us your comments
     136 5:49 pm PDT, Mar 31 Mary Jean Massie 28205 I lost my cat because of the recalled food. I feel that the pet food companies should be held accountable for their negligence.
     135 5:48 pm PDT, Mar 31 Anonymous 44030 The companies need to provide compensation just as if the victims were human. They also need to disclose the ingredients in their products and where they’re made.
     134 5:43 pm PDT, Mar 31 May Alcahe 11432
     133 5:41 pm PDT, Mar 31 JOANNA SPRAGUE 92234 I SEE NO REASON FOR THIS NOT BEING A LAW.
     132 5:39 pm PDT, Mar 31 Mary Lee Bittner 34243
     131 5:37 pm PDT, Mar 31 Sherry Millis 32174 I believe that it is very sad that we cannot trust the manufacturers of pet food to be sure that the food we give our animals is safe. I have two dogs that I love very much and luckily they were not affected by these tainted foods. However, I am nervous every time I feed them as the list seems to grow and grow.
     130 5:34 pm PDT, Mar 31 Kristin Banks 08319 Legislation to protect the health of U.S. pets has been severely lacking for some time.Pet food distributers must be held accountable for this crime which has caused immeasurable suffering for pets and owners across this country. Poor quality foods such as OL’Roy should have been off the market years ago. It’s long past time for corrective action.
     129 5:29 pm PDT, Mar 31 Georgeann Heckman 18015 I think they should replace the total value of the pet lost also. People pay alot of money for their pets. Why should they have to pay twice the amount again for another one that was taken away from them. ROBBED RIGHT OUT OF THEIR HOME. Don’t you think so. Say a pet Dog cost $1000.00. Now this happened and they must pay $1000.00 again to get the same breed from their breeder. ITS JUST NOT FAIR. THEY DID’T EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN.
     128 5:25 pm PDT, Mar 31 Eileen Tennant 02474
     127 5:25 pm PDT, Mar 31 Karen Stinehelfer 27701
     126 5:20 pm PDT, Mar 31 Cheryl Szary 33325 This is a total disgrace, These companys out to be out of business
     125 5:17 pm PDT, Mar 31 Stephanie Woods 32792
     124 5:12 pm PDT, Mar 31 J. Gennaro 07036
     123 5:11 pm PDT, Mar 31 Linda Bober 60655 How many have to suffer and die before something is done??
     122 5:10 pm PDT, Mar 31 Kay Dias 85239 I have 8 dogs (5 are seniors) and 2 cats. I finally got the list from the Menu website; and I have been feeding canned food to both dogs/cats. I, without a doubt, think this company should be held responsible and pay restitution for this grieveous act.
     121 5:08 pm PDT, Mar 31 douglas greenberg 33322 MOCHA RIP 3-30-07 I hope you bastards lose something that means the world to you ….
     120 5:05 pm PDT, Mar 31 Jennifer White 38376 This is a very sad and tragic thing that has happened alot of people have lost alot of their loved ones due to this accident. Sadly most people dont consider pets as being loved ones.. but those of us that have them and truely care for them understand this loss. I know of a lot of people that lost their loved cause of this and I do think that someone should have to at least reburst them for the cost of the vet that was needed to do whatever was needed.
     119 5:03 pm PDT, Mar 31 alexis harrell 15235 To care for an animal is a choice one makes. I made the choice to love and take responsibility for my cats. They are not things I keep around in the attic or basement and then bring them out just to look at or dust off. I am responsible for their lives, their happiness and welfare. This is not something we can just say “oh well” to “Oh well” will not bring back a LIFE lost. Nor ease the pain of countless people who belived that they were responisbile pet owners and who invited these wonderful animals into thier life. We cannot turn our backs this time.
     118 5:00 pm PDT, Mar 31 Amy Foster 08012 we have not lost a family pet but we have friends who have.
     117 4:59 pm PDT, Mar 31 dawnjoy@hotmail.com Canine Rescue 14733 Some body has to protect the animals and the food we provide, with love, to nurture our animals, not kill them because of careless handling of food. This is a crime to those who love their pets, and the producers of such products must be held accountable
     116 4:59 pm PDT, Mar 31 granny howell 27804 I lost my mom in December. Until then our yorkie always ate whatever we ate. Because I was depressed over my mom’s death and stopped cooking, I started feeding her canned food so that she would eat right even though I did not. Three weeks ago she stopped eating and only would drink water and get sick. Because I was depressed and tried to do right by our pet this week I had to bury my only companion too. This should not be allowed to happen in America.
     115 4:58 pm PDT, Mar 31 Lois Waltman 08721 Second time I have been affected by recall of contamination of my pets food. Where is there FDA control, all this importation of cheaper products from other countries should be scrutinized. My first scare was from USA Diamond Pet foods, bad corn.
     114 4:55 pm PDT, Mar 31 Jane Hollingshead 43229
     113 4:53 pm PDT, Mar 31 Cheryl Metzel 19001 This whole situation is horrendous! As an owner of three dogs and one cat, I have been on edge since this whole situation has broken loose.
     112 4:47 pm PDT, Mar 31 Evelyn Farmer 78213
     111 4:41 pm PDT, Mar 31 Anthony Montapert 91602 Animals are not property like furniture to be discarded at a human’s whim. These are lives that deserve protection under the law.
     110 4:37 pm PDT, Mar 31 Anonymous 87110 I am outraged that something like this could happen! We need to stand up for the creatures who have no voice. They have depended upon us for their safety and we depended upon the pet food companies to make safe food. Sadly…that appears to be a mistake for many.
     109 4:33 pm PDT, Mar 31 Debra Napolitano 07882 Pet food companies should be held responsible for this horrific disaster. It’s bad enough that animals are tortured under the guise of bettering mankind. But for this to happen to beloved pets exacerbates the amount of cruelty animals have to endure. What is happening to our sense of caring and protecting the ones that depend on us. Next time will poison be put in baby food? Oh wait—didn’t that already happen? What’s wrong with this world that people have to commit such horrific acts of cruelty. My animals were spared but my heart goes out to the ones that weren’t.
     108 4:29 pm PDT, Mar 31 linda sutphin 38058
     107 4:27 pm PDT, Mar 31 Teresa Hoskins 37660 I just found two opened Alpo cans that have been recalled in my refrigerator and more cans unopened. I am outraged by the food companies not making sure the quality of the ingredients in the dog food are safe! They all should be held accoutable and if my pets become sick you will hear from me. I promise.
     106 4:20 pm PDT, Mar 31 Sue Norman 98230 I haven’t lost any animals because of this, but I believe anyone who has deserves much more than just the expenses they are out….it’s like losing a memeber of your family…in fact, you have lost a member of your family. Paying the medical expenses is not enough.
     105 4:16 pm PDT, Mar 31 Constance Corbett 28401
     104 4:16 pm PDT, Mar 31 melissa robar 13041 First when you sell a product for humans or for animals they need to be accountable no matter the dollar value!!Consumers should not be held accountable the huge companies shoul!!!
     103 4:12 pm PDT, Mar 31 Jason Berry 21075 Pet food is a billion dollar, profitable industry. People trust them to feed their animals nutritionally, not to kill them; thus, they need to be held accountable.
     102 4:10 pm PDT, Mar 31 Christie Stoudt 17403 A lot of people are suffering the loss of their beloved pets. The pet food company needs to be held liable for what they have done. If I had lost one of my pets, these people would definitely be paying for it.
     101 4:06 pm PDT, Mar 31 Marci Bowes 21075 These companies need to be held accountable. My animals were lucky and ‘dodged a bullet’ but what about next time?

     View Signatures: | >|
     Petition to Require Pet Food Companies to be Held Accountable for Damages
     This petition is in response to the thousands of pet parents and owners who have suffered under the Menu Foods recall and their slow response that started on March 16th, 2007.

     In creating this petition, our motive is three-fold:

     First, we want to ease the pain and suffering of those who have lost their pets due to mistakes and negligence of pet food makers. The loss or illness of a pet can be emotionally devastating. On top of it, the financial burden of uninsured veterinary treatment can be a double-whammy, leading pet parents and their families to significant financial damage — often affecting other family members such as kids and the elderly. This legislation will create a venue for settling these cases fairly and out of court, eliminating the need for a lengthy court case, which companies rely on in order to reduce the likelihood of payout.
     Second, create a financial motive for pet food makers and marketers to set higher standards for pet food. We want to let them know that consumers are interested in higher-grade pet food. And that the longer a company waits in issuing warnings or recalls related to their product, the larger the potential financial damage. This new law would hold the manufacturers (often smaller, less financially sound organizations) and also the larger corporations that market the branded foods — who ultimately control what goes in them.
     Third, a clear public disclosure of who actually makes the food. Since the financial liability falls to the brand as well as the manufacturer, the name of the company that actually produced the food should be obvious to the consumer. How much clearer would this recall have been if the food was labeled “Made by Menu Foods”?
     Once the final tally of the pet deaths is complete, the petition will be delivered to the head of the congressional committee that controls FDA funding (Dave Obey, D-WI, chairman of House Appropriations Committee).

     This petition is authored by itchmo.com. Where you can read more about the Menu Foods recall and find news and entertainment for pets and their parents.

     Click here for more information
     To the Top/Sign Petition
     Email this petition to your friends
     Note: This Petition to Require Pet Food Companies to be Held Accountable for Damages petition was submitted by Ben Huh. ThePetitionSite.com is a free service provided to help concerned citizens rally support for issues they believe in. The opinions expressed by this petition do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of ThePetitionSite.com or Care2.com. There is no express or implied endorsement of this petition nor any newsletter offers (except those from Care2.com) by Care2.com, Inc, ThePetitionSite.com, or our sponsors. If you believe this system is being abused, please contact customer support.

     Questions about this petition? Contact the petition sponsor: Ben Huh.
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     Comment by Georgeann Heckman — March 31, 2007 @ 6:50 pm

163. Tip of the iceberg - more will follow and then we’ve got black Monday coming up……

     Comment by Linda — March 31, 2007 @ 6:56 pm

164. Can’t believe that Del Monte release hasn’t hit the top of the wires yet.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:58 pm

165. Un-freaking-believable. Another Saturday night bomb. Nice.

     Good news, though - the NY Times, CNN, and Fox News are finally paying attention. It’s all over Digg, too. Guess it was the “Alpo factor” - more common, everyday supermarket-type foods - that did it. Whatever, I’m thrilled to see the coverage.

     When will the FDA name the supplier? Ever?

     Comment by Laura — March 31, 2007 @ 7:04 pm

166. “The Company (Del Monte) took this voluntary recall action immediately after learning this morning from the FDA that wheat gluten supplied to Del Monte Pet Products from a specific manufacturing facility in China contained melamine.

     This says it all. There is literally ZERO scrutiny on these monsters. They don’t even know what they are using in their own products. Voluntary? Do they think people are that stupid? Probably.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 7:05 pm

167. Can’t believe that Del Monte release hasn’t hit the top of the wires yet.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 6:58 pm

     They haven’t even updated their own website yet.

     Comment by Dee — March 31, 2007 @ 7:07 pm

168. I have been doing some reading on a couple of the other sites & Vetcetera doesnt think that melamine may be the cause of the kidney failure showing up. Has anyone else heard this? So what in the world if its not rat poison & its not melamine, what is going on and do any of them even know what in the heck they are doing let alone what they are testing for?

     Comment by Sandi K — March 31, 2007 @ 7:18 pm

169. Bulk melamine powder (see photos below) is a chemical compound similar in texture and color to wheat gluten. Used as a cutting agent?

     Melamine Powder
     image.ecplaza.net/offer/k/korfezkimya/3505412_s.jpg
     Wheat Gluten
     shopnatural.com/product/416.jpg
     Bulk Melamine Bags
     img.alibaba.com/photo/50561650/Melamine.jpg
     img.alibaba.com/photo/51494580/Melamine.jpg
     img.alibaba.com/photo/11200402/Melamine_Polyphosphate.jpg

     Comment by Sandro — March 31, 2007 @ 7:20 pm

170. Well, I have a bit of good news to come out of all of this. I have a pregnant cat who just gave birth to her kittens on Thursday. Her menu consisted strictly of Special Kitty products so I was beside myself with worry, not knowing what to expect when the babies arrived. Well, I am proud to say that she brought the babies home this morning and they are all wonderfully healthy and absolutely darling. There are five of the little bundles of joy and I honestly feel like my prayers were answered when I saw them. All I could imagine was that they would all be stillborn or have severe deformities. Anyway, that was just a tad bit of good news that has come out of a really crappy situation.

     Comment by Adrienne — March 31, 2007 @ 7:21 pm

171. They haven’t even updated their own website yet.
     Comment by Dee — March 31, 2007 @ 7:07 pm

     No comment. Right now on google news “pet food recall” the Alpo recall is starting to show up more. This shows you how much faster the bloggers are in breaking news then the MSM is.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 7:24 pm

172. Comment by Adrienne — March 31, 2007 @ 7:21 pm

     Congrats on the youngsters. Thats is good news.

     Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 7:27 pm

173. Okay so what’s left to feed my dog and cats.
     I was going to buy the buffalo but now I read that they outsource.
     the only one I have not heard anything bad about is solid gold.
     Does anyone have a receipe for dry food that I can make at home?
     I have been making my own wet food and well do so from on, but I feed dry too.
     what’s the alturnative?
     John

     Comment by John — March 31, 2007 @ 7:30 pm

174. We have 30 indoor cats… most are rescue and a lot were feral when we took them in. We had fed some of the recalled brands and still have some left over. I am saving the recalled packages just in case. We fed a lot of Iams packets and canned Iams and also some Special Kitty packets. Our cats seem to be OK and with having 30 cats I have no idea who ate what. We can not afford to have 30 cats tested so we are just making sure to watch everyone close and if any symptoms show up to get them to a vet for testing.

     I have been going crazy trying to find a food I can trust and the cats like. I have been searching for some alternative choices and ordered some new cat food a few days ago. We haven’t tried this brand before. It’s Life’s Abundance and the first case of canned cat food is on its way. Also dry.

     Has anyone here heard of or tried Life’s Abundance pet foods? It isn’t cheap but they use organic chicken and human quality ingredients and NO WHEAT GLUTEN. I also have been cooking chicken and feeding people tuna. : )

     We spend ALOT of money on cat food and it makes me furious to think we were buying this junk in the past thinking it was healthy food. We are very lucky our cats have not shown signs of being sick. The one thing I have noticed is they are not eating nearly as much as usual but I’m sure they miss the gravy food which I will never buy Iams packets again or for that matter any of the recalled food.

     Too bad cats are not vegetarians… we could just grow them a nice big garden. : )

     Comment by Linda Ramsey — March 31, 2007 @ 7:32 pm

175. Cutting agent was something I was wondering about as well — however, according to chemical commodities market info,the stuff costs 80 - 90 cents a lb. Would think that gluten would go for less than that,but I couldn’t find pricing info for it.

     Comment by GingerTom — March 31, 2007 @ 7:32 pm

176. Good catch GingerTom, I had also looked into commodity prices and indeed melamine is twice the price per pound than wheat gluten. However, I also found out that melamine must be at least 98% pure for industry use which means if you have bad production runs, the stuff is useless per plastic laminates and other goods.

     Comment by Sandro — March 31, 2007 @ 7:35 pm

177. Sandro -

     substandard, cheap or free, thought to be relatively harmless, similar physical properties… then,I agree — there’s a good chance that a trader’s ruse that’s been used for as long as traders have been trading may turn out to be what it’s all about.

     Comment by GingerTom — March 31, 2007 @ 7:48 pm

178. Thanks Bernie, I read it with great interest, it clears up a lot and connects a lot of loose ends.

     This globalization thing is very worrying and it’s just getting started too, especially with another path opening, the Texas Corridor. All I see is horrific problems and the pet food disaster may be just the beginning. I don’t want to sound alarming but are we seeing the harbinger of a terrible calamity in the near future?

     Now if there were stringent controls of everything that comes into the country in place, that may be one thing but, we just saw, foreign wheat can come into the country and it goes right into food production without even a test done on the whole batch. They couldn’t spend the few dollars for a test? with this kind of absolute stupidity which is probably the norm, I have no hope anything good will come in the future. Man’s nature does not change, just his tactics.

     Talk show summary…………
     The local talk show made one interesting point in that, they won’t disclose who was the supplier that received the poisoned wheat gluten probably because the poison may already be in the human food supply. Makes sense to me, wheat gluten is used in countless human foods.

     Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 8:04 pm

179. Here’s what I don’t understand…There is a mountain of political, cultural, moral, ethical, regulatory and standards difference between the Chinese and North Americans. Why are we sourcing our products, none the least food stock, from these people? China is not a democracy, but was unfortunately left out of the ‘axis of evil’ speech. How was price allowed to trump such highly incompatible cultures?

     Comment by Sandro — March 31, 2007 @ 8:43 pm

180. Comment by Sandro — March 31, 2007 @ 8:43 pm

     Because the wheat gluten from China is 10 cents a pound cheaper. Bottom line. Always.

     Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 8:51 pm

181. It has come to my attention that in order to compete in the market of healthy treats like freeze dried chicken or beef nuggets such as Stella and Chewys which are enormously expensive or “Real Meat” treats from new Zealand, larger and cheaper containers of “chicken treats” in similar shape and ingredient listing have appeared in pet stores. I study labels pretty carefully and I noticed..down at the very bottom….in tiny, tiny print: MADE IN CHINA! Now why on earth would we feed anyone in this country Chinese chicken ( although the FDA has considered recently to allow the import of cooked chickens from China to the United States for human consumption and according to PETA KFC uses Chinese chickens)
     First of all Chinese hygiene cannot be trusted and they have a terrible record of treating animals inhumanely and, my other concern: WHO says it’s really chicken after all? Who checks this kind of stuff out? Obviously with cutbacks in funds to the FDA, inspections have become more rare. We are now seeing the beginnings of a huge tragedy. The ingredients in commercial foods are not exactly species appropriate to begin with. At least the ingredients should be what they claim to be and free of toxicity.

     Comment by Lisi — March 31, 2007 @ 8:58 pm

182. Hey all:

     Try ABADY food.

     http://therobertabadydogfoodcoltd.com/index.html

     Not a commercial food, made for carnivores. You’ll have to call the company and ask for the distributor near you. You can have it shipped to your doorstep. I recommend it highly, not just because of this issue for safety, but if any of you have pets with ALLERGIES, you will likely be amazed at how well your pet does on Abady. Just remember not to overfeed - you need only 1/2 - 2/3 as much as you’ve been feeding of the commercial brands.

     If you live anywhere near the west coast, if you post your email address, I’ll email you the name and phone number of my distributor, who is in Oregon. If you live on the east cost, you’d probably save a buck on shipping charges by calling Abady to find a closer distributor.

     Comment by Sarah — March 31, 2007 @ 9:07 pm

183. Yikes! This report contains comments about the pet food recall by US catfish producers, but the 1.3% examined is ALL food imported. I had no idea we were importing catfish from China.

     “According to a recent report by the Associated Press, the FDA has
     sharply reduced its inspections of foreign food and today physically
     examines only 1.3 percent of all food imported into the United States.” http://prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/.....,+12:15+PM

     Comment by Jackie — March 31, 2007 @ 9:26 pm

184. I am making the switch to Kumpi Cat food, however she makes Dog food as well. She has responded to our concerns over tainted food so she has my vote.

     http://www.itchmo.com/read/a-p.....p_20070329

     Here is the site you can order it online, she is based in Colorado. You can call her and she is VERY responsive.

     Here is the site to her Dog food;

     http://www.kumpi.com/home.html

     Here is the site to her Cat food;

     http://www.kumpikat.com/

     It sounds like she was tired of dealing with the entire industry and decided to start her own food company.

     Hope this helps everyone since I have been looking for a replacement to EVIL Iams.

     Comment by Jonathan — March 31, 2007 @ 9:30 pm

185. Also you can call her Evy 303.693.6533 her email address is kumpi@earthlink.net

     I almost fell out of my chair when she responded 20 minutes after I sent her an email.

     She has me sold. If you check the first URL I sent you will see she has several devoted customers who swear by it.

     Comment by Jonathan — March 31, 2007 @ 9:36 pm

186. I worked as a vet assistant nursing cats and dogs up till last week. I am horrified and can not get the images of some of the acute renal failure cats that were seen in this Specialty clinic in the last few months out of my mind, young cats not even a year old, dying, along with others. Worse yet for me, I was “force feeding” one of the cats IAMS Beef cuts and Gravy..all the while probably poisoning him. I quit my job recently after four years, this was my straw that broke me. As a cat rescuer(20), I am shaken by this whole ongoing mess, and fortunately seem to have been feeding an untainted food…I hope. Meanwhile, I’m keeping labels from cans and filing them in case, and will hold any company accountable. Questions going on in my mind.
     Was this a deliberate act? Did, say, the dog fur industry heavies pollute our supply? Paranoid, you bet…terrorists can demoralize in more ways than one.. Why are we accepting blindly those commodities from third world countries whose regulating entities are non existant? Because they are probably American companies and that’s where the money is. I want answers from the Government!! They owe us the truth about the whole supply chain!

     Comment by Cheryl — April 1, 2007 @ 12:25 am

187. Cheryl posted “Was this a deliberate act? Did, say, the dog fur industry heavies pollute our supply? Paranoid, you bet…terrorists can demoralize in more ways than one..”

     yeah, I have to admit, I thought the same thing after a while. Was this / IS this a deliberate act? I mean it seems like the story “broke” on March 16th, coincidentally, the 2007 National Poison Prevention Week: March 18-24…. hmmmmm

     also -

     How did two laboratories (the Cornell one and the NY State Food Lab) that are part of federal emergency lab networks, created through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after 9-11 to keep the nation’s animals and food supply safe, find rat poison, but the FDA has not? Right now, everyone is focused on the FDA’s opinion, but as of now it seems the FDA and those 2 official labs are at odds with each other. It’s all very suspicious, but thats what happens when you are not given free access to actual information, just “unnamed companies” etc, Thanks, FDA!

     Comment by Scott — April 1, 2007 @ 4:38 am

188. A letter from Senator Durbin criticizing FDA

     http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=271344

     Comment by Lori Lee — April 1, 2007 @ 6:21 am

189. Homeland Security ia a JOKE just talk talk how safe we are it’s not safe it’s happing.?

     Comment by John — April 1, 2007 @ 7:27 am

190. I would add to Gina’s rec’s a “1-C” that labeling also include location of the plant of manufacture, and ‘last inspected date.’
     Just a gentle reminder to all fellow citizens: EVERY member of the US House of Rep’s is up for re-election in Nov of ‘08, and one third of US Senators. Your state’s Rep’s and Senators in your state Legislature perhaps the same, perhaps some even this year. I’m adding in my letters something to the effect that “I will be supporting a candidate, (or I will be voting for a candidate) who has been working toward passing this valuable legislation” The shorter-and-sweeter-the-better: Don’t quote the Bible, or Constitution, or Magna Carta, or even Jane Goodall…they get enough mail from the ‘quirky-and-kooky’ already. As Gina said Keep it Simple….

     Comment by michael g, florida — April 1, 2007 @ 7:36 am

191. Please Get All Pet Food Tested.. Cuddles I beleive died Well before her time I miss her.. They need to e stopped and things have to change. . I am so lonely without my sweet kitty Miss Cuddles PLease Help her it was NOT FAIR!! Love Kelly-4-miss Cuddles!!!!!!

     Comment by kelly B — April 1, 2007 @ 8:15 am

192. Why aren’t we loading up and making an appearance at the White House? Let our voices be heard and the system changed. We need to be the dogs on the porches of these pet food manufacturers. Let it rain cats and dogs in D.C.!

     Comment by Alicia — April 1, 2007 @ 9:12 am

193. 48096
     How can we access the video feed of Sen Durbin’s
     speech. I keep checking the CNN and FoxNews stations and they are ignoring it.

     Comment by Valarie — April 1, 2007 @ 11:39 am

194. I could not help but note the specific language in Menu Foods declaration that all of their un-recalled product is now “safe”. i.e. that “The pet food that we have manufactured after March 6 is safe and healthy,”

     I have repeated posted that my of friend Brandy died on March 15th of symptoms that even the FDA rep I spoke to described as suspicious. Yet the food we fed her had an expiration date of Oct 25, 09.

     I have also previously posted that the Wisconsin chain we purchased that food from put their remaining old stock on sale one week ago today.

     I have been told by the FDA to hold that food for testing but have not net been contacted as to how or when that will occur except that I was told that a rep from the Green Bay office would pick it up.

     What about those older lots? Have they been expressly cleared or are they assuming that it has all be consumed?

     It would seem that that the buyer needs to be especially wary of ANY of these products they find on the shelves yet and frankly, (if I still had a dog) would not buy anything produced by these people at all.

     Caveat emptor!
     And beyond that - Cave canem!

     Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — April 1, 2007 @ 11:58 am

195. I noticed the same thing at Safeway, all the wet food was on sell including recalled products. The manager got an ear full from me. I will go back later today and see if they took it off the shelves.

     The attorney general will be getting a call Monday about this BS.

     Comment by Jonathan — April 1, 2007 @ 2:01 pm

196. “Why aren’t we loading up and making an appearance at the White House? Let our voices be heard and the system changed. We need to be the dogs on the porches of these pet food manufacturers. Let it rain cats and dogs in D.C.!”

     I wish it would do us good.

     Our own President can’t even listen to our own congress and the will of the people.

     I have been emailing NPR and CNN about covering the situation better. Feel free to send them a note as well.

     http://www.npr.org/about/pitch/

     http://www.cnn.com/exchange/ir......anon.html

     Of course keep it professional so they don’t think we are all just a bunch of nut cases.

     The pet food industry needs as much exposure as possible for as long as possible.

     Comment by Jonathan — April 1, 2007 @ 2:08 pm

197. From the site Made-in-China.com (Connecting Buyers with China Suppliers), there are ten (10) companies below, one of which could be the source of the Wheat Gluten that has been identified as having been “adulterated” or tainted with in some manner and imported to North America. These companies show up in search for Wheat Gluten in all provinces in China - that could have allegedly been used in the manufacturing of pet foods throughout North America. The suspect Wheat Gluten is thought to have affected nearly one hundred brands of pet food which are now subject to recall and have been since March 16, 2007.

     The site recommends the following for Quality and Inspection for Global Buyers. I wonder if there were adequate or proper inspections prior to the Wheat Gluten product being imported to North America?

     Quality and Inspection
     Made-in-China.com recommends that clients buying products from China consult professional inspectors to receive advice and services regarding product quality. We believe it is vital that products are checked ON LOCATION before being shipped. This can save you considerable trouble by identifying any problems BEFORE goods are exported and payment has been made. We co-operate with qualified Inspectors that can help you inspect the quality of products that you order from China. Please fill in the form below to receive further information concerning this service offer. As a Made-in-China.com member ( free membership ), you will receive a membership discount on quality and inspection services.
     Please write the details of the following items in your content:
     1. Purchase Order
     2. Contract or product specifications
     3. Supplier’s contact information. [EMPHASIS ADDED]

     Ten Suppliers of Wheat Gluten from all Provinces in China:

     1. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....mited.html

     2. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....-Ltd-.html

     3. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....Corp-.html

     4. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....o-Ltd.html

     5. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....Corp-.html

     6. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....-Ltd-.html

     7. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....-Ltd-.html

     8. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....-Ltd-.html

     9. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....mited.html

     10. http://www.made-in-china.com/i.....-Ltd-.html

     Melamine Formaldehyde seems to have been used in plastics and a number of other applications. I’ve just located an article (in part) from China that was prepared in 2006.

     Melamine capacity is serious surplus.
     From: China Chemical Reporter | Date: January 6, 2006 | Author: Ruilin, Wang | More results for: melamine formaldehyde

     Melamine as an important chemical raw material is extensively used in timber processing, plastic, coatings, papermaking, adhesive, textile, leather, electric, pharmaceutical, flame-retarding agent and rubber antioxidant sectors. The rapid development of reinforced composite floorings in China in recent years has led to a rapid growth of the melamine consumption.
     China has become a major production base
     The capacity of melamine in the world has made a rapid increase in recent years. There were more than 90 melamine producers in the world in 2004 with a total capacity of … (end of sample) [EMPHASIS ADDED]

     Seems a little more than suspect in my opinion that Aminopterin was found, then the FDA finds Melamine. Both of which are chemicals which have no business in any type of food whatsoever.

     Comment by Liz — April 1, 2007 @ 3:22 pm

198. Why has Dr. Becker not appeared on GMA. Watched for him all last week. Does ABC not want to hear his comments regarding the BS going on. Looking forward to hearing from you live on television, Dr. Becker.

     Comment by Valarie — April 1, 2007 @ 4:00 pm

199. 4/1/07 - more pet food recalled so I’ve interrupted the projects I’ve been researching (GREED in: Children’s Book Industry, Educational
     Systems, Health Systems…) to find the latest pet food to avoid.
     GREED is in. Why is the middle class shrinking - GREED. Big Business gobbled up the Juvenile Book Market from librarians over 15 years ago to corner peripheral sales markets. Our kids brains are dying while parents buy the next big advertised product on TV from peripheral markets. The pet food scare is a bit more obvious. But you see how Big Business Acts. Nestle actively discouraged 2nd world country mothers from nursing their babies as far back the 80’s. Encouraging them to buy Nestle products instead, which they could not afford consistently, thus starving babies to make more money for Nestle. This is nothing new, it’s just hitting a new market, the pet industry that affects you.

     Watch public TV, listen to public radio — get involved in the civic process and demand a consumer bill of rights from any Big Business of US origin. Or are you too busy trying to earn more to buy more stuff you think you need from all of those Big Business Advertisements? Plan a public rally instead. Write to Ralph Nader and plead for him to get back to what he did best.

     Ban organizational efforts together with other organizations that have the same anti-greed goals, not just other pet owners. Big B’s is magical at smoothing things over until you forget and then they go back to their old tricks again when your backs are turned … look at Nestle.

     DEMAND TRANSPARENCY IN YOUR GOVERNMENT, IN THEIR PROCEEDINGS, HEARINGS,
     IN THEIR DISCLOSURES, IN YOUR PRIMARY ELECTION PROCESS. Seek truth in your research, expose lies and propaganda on the internet.

     Foreign countries might even change their views about our greedy country if you guys rally & make it count!

     Comment by Trish Diieno — April 1, 2007 @ 4:36 pm

200. What we really need to know - for every brand out there - is WHO MAKES THE FOOD, and WHAT ARE THEIR STANDARDS.

     Has anyone started a list of this? I know there has been people pointing out that Wellness is made by Menu, Organix canned is made by Menu, Newman’s Own made by Menu etc.

     How can we get better disclosure, can we start keeping a list? Also a list of past recalls would be helpful as well. (Diamond, Merrick, Petcurean etc.)

     A good example of what would be useful - in Canada (probably U.S too but I don’t know the industry) - you can find the establisment code on any meat product - it is the number in the little circle/crown emblem on products. You can then go on CFIA website and enter in this number - it tells you where the product was manufactured, all of the products that company makes, contact info - even if it is a store brand or private label product. If you don’t want to buy from a company, you just need to know their number, and you can avoid their meat, even if it is boxed as grocery/private label.

     http://active.inspection.gc.ca.....asp?lang=e

     Wouldn’t this be great on pet food too.

     And BTW, whoever is promoting Kumpi above - I read over her post - she hasn’t started a “Pet Food Company” - she has developed her own “Pet Food Brand”. WHO MAKES HER FOOD? So what if she visited their plant once and saw them reject a load of ingredients. She is NO DIFFERENT that a grocery store that has product made by Menu. (if you do private label food products for a grocery store - they do careful audits of your facility. Better than nothing - but it is not the same as running the show) She has no control over procedures on a day to day basis.

     We can’t let the “middlemen” who sell brands but don’t actually have control over their production fool us into thinking they have only our best interests in mind. They want to make money too, and are using companies like Menu to do it.

     Comment by food scientist — April 1, 2007 @ 4:59 pm

201. This is the only way it sound to me it just another way to raised the cat & dog food prices $$$$$.Pet Food cans bottom outside cans possible contamination toxic substance residue when touch by hand.(Recall Pet Food).We I would like to know for the person WHO gave the ok to do this,are pets are dieing.Was this link to a terrorist ? and ? To Poison PET FOOD.

     Comment by John — April 1, 2007 @ 8:19 pm

202. Your website states that Pedigree Dog Food is produced by Mars, but.. if you go to the below website it states THEY are the manufacture of Pedigree Dog Food. I scanned the Waltham web site and could not see anything that mentions Mars. Pedigree’s website makes a general statement that their food is safe, but the statement is generic.. i’m so concerned!

     http://www.waltham.com/index.html

     Comment by Frank — April 1, 2007 @ 10:07 pm

203. Yikes!!!

     If this is true some of food could be recalled next.

     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....44743.html

     Comment by Jonathan — April 1, 2007 @ 10:25 pm

204. our food rather…

     Comment by Jonathan — April 1, 2007 @ 10:26 pm

205. I stopped the Nestle Co on 3/26/07 by faxing my dogs vet bills,Receipts for Dec2006 and Jan 2007 of ALPO Cans of dog food,Prime cuts and Slices,along with MY DOG’S CREMATION CERTIFICATE in JANUARY @))&!!!!!They-Nestle called me personally Saturday-5PM to tell me It was a FEBRUARY BATCH .I told them of the WHEAT GLUET. from China 3/26/07,…They weren’t aware of it! ALPO PRIME SLICES were still on Walmarts shelf 4/1/07.I E-Mailed my Friend,He’s an ATTORNEY!Go to purina.com ,Nestle Is a SWISS Owned CO.,Internationally manufactured-No FDA oversight in foreign lands.Genetically Produced,……Read for youself,FDA is calling me back at 1P.M. Monday 4/2/07!

     Comment by joe Romano — April 1, 2007 @ 10:43 pm

206. The FDA lies.
     The FDA lies a lot.
     The poison, and no one knows what it is for sure, could be in your breakfast bagel and the FDA would lie about it for a month or so.
     You don’t count, your pets damned sure don’t count but I bet “somebody” is being protected by this coverup.
     Too bad it isn’t us.
     You know, this used to be a great country, I used to feel safe.

     Comment by E. Hamilton — April 2, 2007 @ 2:02 am

207. Everyone needs to keep plying the media outlets with the outrage of this, the only way we’re going to be heard is if we don’t allow them to let this tragedy be swept under the rug. In Canada, where I live, I’ve been continously updating national and local media outlets, especially since I received a automated call from Menu Foods that said they’d be calling me back within 72 hours. That was LAST MONDAY, and here it is 7 days later and no phone call. So, I emailed every known Director, employee, Head, etc of Menu Foods to complain and I’m going to send it every hour until someone responds.

     Comment by Liz — April 2, 2007 @ 6:11 am

208. We have a cat that died of renal failure 2/28/07. A week later our other cat started to display the same symptoms. He seems fine now after $850. in vet bills. I have been calling everyone and everywhere for help, as this is too much of a coinsidence. There are cat owners like me, that no one even knows about yet. Nutro (Natural Choice) did call me and has agreed to test my dry food, which they were eating (even although the wet food was recalled). The FDA never returned my phone call. It is a tragedy that we have to worry about the food we feed our pets may kill them.

     Comment by Barbara Golden — April 2, 2007 @ 9:50 am

209. OUTRAGEOUS!!!! Is anyone else shocked and disgusted by the fact that NOT ONE of the many candidates running for ‘08 have even mentioned this pet food travesty??!!!?? Not once have I heard any of them speak out on behalf of the many Americans who are grieving the suffering or loss of a pet. And that the fixing of this problem will be added to their “To-do list” when they’re nominated/elected, etc…With all the millions of pet owners in the nation, why has NOT ONE of them jumped on this bandwagon??? UNBELIEVABLE…

     Comment by laura — April 2, 2007 @ 10:18 am

210. Laura,
     How could any of the candidates speak on this? It’s not been in the news!!! Besides, they are busy with other priorities right now—-out in the backroom counting their campaign money.

     Comment by Nadine Long — April 2, 2007 @ 10:35 am

211. Comment by E. Hamilton — April 2, 2007 @ 2:02 am

     You are not safe. I am not safe. None of us are safe. It’s not paranoia. It’s a fact. No one will take care of us but ourselves. Keep posting.

     Comment by Nadine Long — April 2, 2007 @ 10:39 am

212. I’m a member of the print media. We’ve had 10 stories in print since the first recall, three of which ran on A-1, the latest on Saturday reporting the latest substance found and that while Menu Foods is sure this is the culprit, as they were with the rat poison, the FDA and others are saying while an interesting find, not necessarily what’s causing the problem.

     It is a myth, at least at my publication, that advertisers control any news content. I don’t know if any pet food companies advertise with our paper, nor do I care.

     This story is a moving target. I, and I’m sure other members of the media, are following it closely. Stories don’t come out in one tidy package - they evolve as information is sought out.

     I’m a pet owner/lover. My dog is precious to me. I’m about out of her food. What will I buy to replace it? I have no clue.

     Comment by Jenniferwriter — April 2, 2007 @ 11:42 am

213. Pig Ear Treats— Recall due to Salmonella according to FDA

     http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....03_07.html

     Comment by LB — April 2, 2007 @ 12:23 pm

214. More treats recalled today:

     http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Ne.....0-sun.html

     (to moderator—having trouble making new post/posting in other category-if you could please recategorize appropriately—thanks)

     Comment by LB — April 2, 2007 @ 12:29 pm

215. Obviously, this issue is no longer just about Menu Foods - at least four manufacturing facilities used the tainted wheat gluten:
     * Menu Foods
     * Hills (m/d dry not made at Menu Foods)
     * Purina (Pounce, etc not made at Menu Foods)
     * Del Monte

     Personally, I’m avoiding any foods containing wheat gluten (which I avoid anyway - wheat gluten is tough on cats’ gastro-intestinal tracts).

     YES - we need to turn emotion into action - we are encouraging people to write their Senators. We are also collecting “e-signatures” for a thank you note for Senator Durbin (the only Senator so far to step forward on this issue) which will be hand-delivered to him Friday (April 6) by a member of our campaign.

     To join us, visit: http://www.petfoodcrusade.com

     Comment by Lynette — April 2, 2007 @ 1:08 pm

216. Jenniferwriter,

     I like http://www.kumpi.com/ You can email or call the President Evy and she will respond.

     She is based in colorado and assures me that all her food is sourced from the US, she has helped alot of people since this has happened and will be glad to answer any questions you have. Check out her website she goes into great detail about her quality control process and how she became a pet food company.

     Also there is a list of pet foods and who makes them(see links below). I would avoid Gluten for now even though I personally think they don’t know what the problem is.

     Please help our pets and ensure you keep writing about this horrible story. I have been watching CNN all morning and I think they have reported on this once for a 30 second blurb.

     Not too pleased with the main-stream media at this point concerning this issue.

     Below are some useful links;

     Here are the most useful links I have found so far, some of the blogs are really sad so be warned.

     This site has the most up to date information regarding the recall.
     http://www.howl911.com

     This site has some good info.
     http://www.itchmo.com/

     Here is the list of foods and who makes them (not all companies are listed).
     http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

     And this is how I found out about the product
     http://www.itchmo.com/read/a-p.....p_20070329

     Comment by Monkeykitty — April 2, 2007 @ 1:08 pm

217. I need to find out who to contactto try and get refunded on the vet bill. The vets are making out. They told us it would be cheap $173.00 is not cheap I am sorry but I am on a tight budget with my son being ill most of are extra funds go on doctors for him. And help would be appreciated. This is crazy. Are dog is my son pet the meds they gave seem to help and changin his diet, but $173.00 is not cheap. Need help in Texas.

     Comment by Patricia — April 2, 2007 @ 1:52 pm

218. What sort of dry food IS definitely safe for cats (at least based on what’s known now) ? It’s a little overwhelming to sift through all this info.

     Comment by jb — April 2, 2007 @ 2:05 pm

219. I have been searching for an alternative cat food since the recall and decided to try Life’s Abundance and Instinctive Choice . Has anyone tried this food from HealthyPetNet?

     They DO NOT use wheat gluten… I am throwing out any food with wheat gluten and was amazed at how much food I still have with wheat gluten in it!

     Ingredients in Instinctive Choice Premium Canned Cat Food : added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, chelated minerals, taurine, l-carnitine, vitamin E and a superior blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help contribute to a healthy daily diet.

     Instinctive Choice contains fresh, highly digestible, human-quality proteins from organic chicken, turkey, chicken liver and shrimp. Instinctive Choice contains nutrient rich water or “biological water,” which contains nutritional components found in meats and chicken broth. This allows your cat to obtain moisture closer to the way a cat in the wild would get it.

     Here are ingredients of the dry cat food.
     Life’s Abundance® is made using only fresh, human-quality ingredients such as a delectable blend of premium all natural chicken, liver, and turkey with top quality catfish, along with fresh vegetables and grasses that will appeal to even the most discriminating palate. Added to Life’s Abundance® is a superior blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help contribute to a healthy daily diet. Contains no artificial flavors, colors, sugars, or chemical preservatives.

     Anyway our first shipment will be here in a few days and we have 31 testers on site. : )

     Comment by Linda Ramsey — April 2, 2007 @ 2:09 pm

220. Patricia: I don’t know where you are, but in Canada the Company that is the insurance adjusters for Menu Foods is Crawford & Company. I actually received a phone call this afternoon and a nice young man took all my information and gave me the link to print out the forms. See? I told everyone earlier above how I emailed everyone at Menu and a lot of news outlets too. The fella said on the phone “the squeeky wheel gets the grease” and its true ! Don’t give up or give in!

     Here is the web address:

     http://www.claimsalert.ca/menufoods/

     I received a phone call from the adjusters because weeks ago I was able to get through on the toll-free line and provide my information to the Customer Service Rep. They have an automated calling system to then contact you - which states someone will be calling within 72 hours. (Mine took 7 days). They then give you this site.

     The Claim number they ask for is the one that is provided by the intake caller at Crawford & Company. I think everyone should just print out the forms, fill them in, provide the additional documentation and send it off, regardless of whether or not you have a “Claim Number”.

     By the way, my claim number (can’t provide the actual number) but was almost 5000 (could that be the number of persons that they’ve contacted to obtain information on ill/dying/deceased pets?). I know the guy on the phone said he does at least 10 of these a day (intake of information) and I wonder how many more persons they’ve hired for that purpose. Likely quite a bit !

     Does anyone here know what the process has been for those who’ve had a return call from the Company? Is it the same forms or is there a United States firm handling the issues there?

     Good luck to you, Patricia, I know it is hard to absorb the ridiculous costs of veterinary services. I will be getting pet insurance for sure after this.

     Comment by Liz — April 2, 2007 @ 2:19 pm

221. Can Club brand(costco brand) killed my friends dog. this in mexico city.

     Comment by Fabiola H — April 2, 2007 @ 2:53 pm

222. My prescious cat Daisy May died in my arms on the morning of March 15th, 2007. As I was holding her I heard the news on the TV about the recall. I had fed her Iams chicken in gravy in the can. Every day I tell her how sorry I am and that I did not know. I am heartbroken about this and will never have another pet.

     Comment by Joyce A. Monks — April 2, 2007 @ 2:54 pm

223. I have a question about cats throwing up. I know it is a symptom with all this, however, I have 3 cats and I think, fortunately, they have not eaten any of the recalled products specifically, but I did have them on Nature’s Nutro same UCP Code but different exp. date, and then I got them Authority, what I bought specifically was not on the list, now I’m going more natural (Solid Gold, etc.), but today one of my 3 threw up a little bit of spit. Occassionally they’ve all done that over the last 2 years and we attributed it to hair balls and even questioned our vet about it, but they never seemed concerned. Does anyone know specifically about the vomit? Would really appreciate anyone’s input. Thank you.

     Comment by Tracy — April 2, 2007 @ 3:48 pm

224. Tracy, Some of our cats throw-up all the time, and others hardly ever do. We have 31 rescues. I try to keep them bushed to avoid hair balls as much as possible. I think some cats may throw up because of worms or possible food allergies. Some of our cats will throw up if I don’t feed them canned food, especially if they are holding out for their favorite food. : ) With this many cats I leave dry out all the time and feed wet in the evenings.

     I would take a cat for a check up if he starts to throw up more than what is he normal for him or if he stops eating normally.

     Comment by Linda Ramsey — April 2, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

225. http://groups.myspace.com/petfoodrecall

     Please share info here too..

     Comment by http://groups.myspace.com/petfoodrecall — April 2, 2007 @ 6:28 pm

226. Questions that Need to Be Raised:

     >>What about the rat poison (Aminopterin) that had been confirmed by two New York State Labs on March 23 ? ,

     These two labs are New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Connell, and the New York State Food Laboratory. They are not ordinary labs, but “part of a network created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to keep the nation’s animals and food supply safe.” (Bucks County Courier Times, Levittown, PA, March 24, 2007).

     After a relatively extensive research, I found out that FDA and its officials have never repudiated，since March 23，the New York State Labs’ findings. There are NO statements, and NO reports on FDA site to that effect. Nor can anyone find them on any publications.

     So, facing the current China-blaming surge in the American media, we need to ask ourselves this question: Are We Going to Be Mislead to Ignore the Findings——— the Very Existence of Rat poison, Aminopterin in Our Pet Food? It is this substance that has caused the death and the kidney failures in our pets. And it is the same reason that 60 million cans had been recalled in the first place! Is it not?

     >>When the finding is out and done, is it not the next logic step for a further investigation into how and why as the rat poison, Aminopterin, got into the pet foods?

     On March 23, Menu Foods declared that its next “goal” as “quickly identifying the means through which this substance entered our supply chain.” (Press Release: Menu Foods Press Conference Opening Statement, March 23, 2007, Author: Menu Foods, http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....232007.htm )
     But now ten days later, why does Menu Foods suddenly drop its declared goal? Instead, it is now switching our attention in pursuit of Melamine “contamination”.

     >>Should FDA Recall All Pet’s Eating Bowls? Melamine in It!
     But any chemist or scientist in toxicology can point it to you that Melamine does not and could not harm humans IN SMALL AMOUNT. As a matter of fact, EPA(Environment Protection Agency) had removed it from the tolerance list. Melamine is manufactured in the USA in large quantity. Actually, it is in our daily life, and even indispensable for a pet life——————-Melamine can be found in a dog’s or a cat’s eating bowls! That is right, it is an essential ingredient that makes yours, mine and everyone’s pet eating bowl !

     >>Why Does Menu Foods Shut Down Its Emporia Plant in Kansas ?
     Here may come a smoking gun: at the conference on March 23, 2007, Paul Henderson, President and CEO of Menu Foods, asserted unequivocally that Menu Foods’ plant at Emporia, KS, is keeping its usual operations. But my investigation found it quite otherwise:

     On Friday, March 23, 2007, at 10:24 a.m., an ABC local news station: KTKA 49 ABC reported: Menu plans brief shutdown of Emporia Plant. This TV story was reported by Scott Rochat. He reads: “Menu Foods, dealing with the after-effects of a massive recall of pet food, said Wednesday that it would shut down its Emporia plant for a few days but that no layoffs would be involved.”
     On March 26, the same TV station, by Lisa Coble-Krings, at 11:00, reported that Menu planned to shut it down for another week.

     But in its March 16, 2007 press release, Menus Foods declared it had changed to a new supplier source after March 6, 2007. This means that the Chinese company’s material was longer in use at Emporia plant after said date. Furthermore, Menu Foods has asserted repeatedly, on its first and subsequent press releases, that it had kept vigorous tests on both supplies and the products; and the tests’ results had found no issues since March 6———-the ending date on the recall list. (Press Release: Menu Foods Income Fund Announces Precautionary Dog and Cat Food Recall, March 16, 2007, Author: Menu Foods, http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....62007.htm)

     Now here are the questions to Menu Foods: why did Menu Foods shut that plant down? And for more than one week?
     Inside that plant, is there any operational process or any proceedings throughout the production course, that had been tainted by the found substance: Aminopterin?

     >>Would Menu Foods make an unequivocal statement in that regard for the North American pet owners?

     Comment by Mian Qin — April 2, 2007 @ 8:53 pm

227. Have written 9 letters to governor of Mi, 3 senators including Sen Durbin, who seems to be only one totally interested in pet food recall, 3 representatives, the Mi Vet Assn, the national vet assn. Have called 2 senators and one representative. Don’t know if phone calls will do any good. All I got was young kids who had no inkling about the recall (duh). Thank God for the Pet Connection and ALL the links you have provided Please keep up the good work and keep the information coming. We thank you for being God’s angels for our pets. I’ve steered my vet to the Pet Connection because in talking to him, he has no idea how big this problem is or what is really going on. He’s told me I’m his official source of information.
     Perhaps other vets are the same way therefore that is why we are not seeing actual true numbers. How sad. How sad that so many humans do not take interest and depend on “our government” to handle everything. God Help Us All.

     Comment by Valarie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:47 am

228. I am so angry at this time. My cat has always eaten only one brand canned cat food and in February I had to euthanise him because of acute kidney failure. He was my champion for 16 years, never did I think that the food he loved was killing him. This brand wasn’t on the recall list or not as far as I could tell but the product code on the bottom of a half eaten can showed the same factory code. Pet food companies don’t seem to understand the full scope of what they have done. Pets are not just property, they are loving family members that contribute to the health and well being of a family. Their loss is felt as deeply as losing a parent. Unconditional love that a parent gives is the same as that of a pet’s umconditional love. Shame on the pet food companies that don’t take this seriously.

     Comment by Desiree — April 3, 2007 @ 10:33 am

229. *** WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP ***

     Our campaign is making progress.. Senator has asked Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, Esq. to testify before the U.S. Senate on Thursday, April 12. Dr. Hodgkins worked in the pet food industry for 20 years before leaving to start her own cats-only veterinary clinic. She is outspoken on the many diseases CAUSED by the poor commercial pet foods out there.
     http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com

     We are collecting e-signatures thanking Senator Durbin for his involvement, to be hand-delivered to him by a member of our campaign Friday, April 6.

     http://www.petfoodcrusade.com

     PLEASE JOIN US - Turn outrage into action!

     Comment by Lynette — April 3, 2007 @ 1:49 pm

230. *** PLEASE TAKE ACTION ***

     Senator Durbin has been the ONLY Senator to step forward and demand answers from the FDA. We are collecting e-signatures thanking him for his involvement - the signatures will be presented to him on FRIDAY, APRIL 6.

     PLEASE take a moment to add your name:
     http://www.petfoodcrusade.com

     Also, just announced today - Senator Durbin has asked Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, Esq. to testify before the Senate on Thursday, April 12. Dr. Hodgkins worked in the pet food industry for 20-some years before leaving to start her own cats-only veterinary clinic. She is outspoken on the subject of pet food, and how many commercial foods CAUSE illness in our pets.
     http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com

     PLEASE encourage Senator Durbin to keep pushing!
     http://www.petfoodcrusade.com

     Comment by Lynette — April 3, 2007 @ 1:52 pm

231. I use Evanger’s dogfood because they manufacture their own foods,and they don’t animal test. The food my sheltie eats has duck,sweet potato, & some vitamins- that’s all the ingredients! She has a very sensitive stomach but hasn’t had an issue with any of this brand’s foods.

     Comment by Angela — April 3, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

232. I spoke with the local FDA case worker today in length regarding the loss of my show dog, one of my “kids,” who I was planning on showing this weekend in Lexington, KY. It will be a hard dog show to go to without her in tow. I believe that there are more deaths from other complications than just renal failure, as a result of the “bad” food. Renal failure is the only one they can find now. I bet many dogs have died of stomache tortion and bloat. If excessive drinking and vomitting are just two of the signs, both of those alone can cause a dogs/animals stomache or intestines to flip (tortion).

     I wonder how many people have lost or now have sick service animals. How many people have lost their senior pet early because of this food. I’m sure like many of you, you didn’t save your empty food cans. Who does? I mean the food stinks. I also contacted Menu Foods (have yet to have anyone call me back from their company, the receptionist said in 48-72 hours, that was last week).

     I’m on a limited income (disability retirement), my dogs are my kids, they are treated and spoiled like them. I have a couple of dogs, but I love them each as an individual, and the girl that I lost, was just the sweetest girl ever. I miss her so much, my heart aches. I will keep up the good fight in her honor. I refuse to let another person lose a beloved companion, like I have. If there wasn’t a food recall I wouldn’t be worrying, and crying myself to sleep every night (I would but I wouldn’t feel like it was my fault, because I gave her the bad food). It’s so hard to go in and deal with her puppies with out having her to great me and give me kisses. She would have loved the warm sunny days we had as of late. I’m sure she’s looking down from the Rainbow Bridge, and keeping an eye on her pups.

     With being on a limited income I can’t afford the “best” “most expensive” dog food, but when this recall occurred (clearly the price doesn’t matter if they’re all made at the same plant), why are we paying so much for name brands when they all are made at the same freakin’ plant? Seems ironic doesn’t it? Iams and Eukanuba are mixed/made at the same plant as Ol’ Roy and Krogers WTF?

     How do we know this hasn’t gotten into our food supply? Why are we buying food from a country that wanted to shoot nuclear missles at us? Where in the hell is the President (I know if it was people he might put the book down)? It might be our dogs now (and really what better way than to get the Americans, then to kill their beloved pets), who’s to say we won’t be next? I think it’s a form of germ warfare. Or at least it should be a wake up call for everyone.

     Why is the FDA taking their time in telling us, each day (in a small area of the newspaper) the latest recalls. Why don’t these companies own up to their mistakes. Why is Menu Foods still in existance? Last I saw at their website they were worried about the drop in their stock prices… not the millions of pets they’ve murdered.

     Comment by Cathleen — April 4, 2007 @ 12:03 am

233. I have sent my letters off to my Congressman, Junior Congresswomen and our Representative for my district in Michigan. To 2 of their addresses. 1 in Washington DC and their local office. I need to get my point across that my Bailey Girl was killed. She died of Renal failure on March 29, 2007. She had many more years to live. And her years were snuffed out by these maufacturers that use inferior products in our pet’s food. We trusted them. They let us down. The almighty dollar talking again! Who can we trust anymore? I hope that my representatives will restore some faith in/for me. It is going to be a challenge! As for most of you that have lost pets, I loved my Bailey Girl. She was the best dog that anyone could ever want. Please, if your haven’t already, take the time to write and just maybe, something postive will come out of this fiasco! We can only hope!

     Hug your pets. I wish I could hug my Bailey Girl one more time.

     Comment by Liz — April 4, 2007 @ 2:06 am

234. Just received an email alert from the FDA that
     CHEMNUTRA has recalled wheat gluten from the Chinese company identified earlier. Claim it hasn’t gotten into the human food chain only the pet food

     Comment by Valarie — April 4, 2007 @ 6:18 am

235. Can you please NAME all pet food Companies and pet food labels that have thistainted wheat gluten etc.., All LABEls of PET food who deal with CHEM NUTRA??????
     We need to know ASAP!!!!!!!

     Thanks Kelly B-4-Miss Cuddles
     Passed Away/got killed Feb.17/07

     Comment by kelly — April 4, 2007 @ 10:11 am

236. Gina
     You haven’t given us an update on the count in recent days. Any reason?

     Comment by Valarie — April 4, 2007 @ 11:11 am

237. I haven’t been putting it on the blog, but it has been updated every morning on the recall database page:

     http://www.petconnection.com/recall/

     Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 4, 2007 @ 11:40 am

238. I am so angry right now. How long has this been going on? And how much longer, when will “they” tell us the truth? I’m so sick of the whole government lying, lying and they keep right on lying. I read this every day. If i didn’t I wouldn’t be getting the truth anywhere. Who, what, when, and where? No one in the FDA has really told us anything at all! Not much news reported on it. I just don’t understand? This could be terrorism and We still wouldn’t be told the truth. I’m sick of the whole Gov. cover-up. There’s got to be more We can do right now!! Let’s demand it. this is our country after all, or it’s supposed to be. It doesn’t belong to just all the hot shots who are calling the shots. They are supposed to be working for us. thanks, Trudy

     Comment by Trudy Jackson — April 4, 2007 @ 3:01 pm

239. Have you noticed in the Sunday paper coupons section all the pet food coupons. Like the coupons are going to get us to buy their food!!? Like how about where the sun don’t shine.

     Comment by Valarie — April 4, 2007 @ 4:31 pm

240. Ya I noticed at Safeway they had recalled food on sale as well as all the other wet food on sale.

     I have never seen all the pet food on sale like this.

     I called my Attorney General to make a formal complaint.

     If anyone happens to be at the grocery please take along the recalled food list and please look for any still on the shelves. You could be saving someone elses pet.

     Either the FDA is not making the proper notices or the stores aren’t taking it serious since there is “only 15 pets dead” according to the FDA and the Main Stream Media.

     I have never seen anything handled so poorly, oh wait I forgot about FEMA and DHS.

     Seems like a trend in this country, when will the potiticians see that we have frankly had it. I figured the last election would be a wake up call but I guess not.

     I know I have had it with most of them.

     Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 4, 2007 @ 4:46 pm

241. Why doesn’t everyone begin to demand homegrown products and ingreadients ? Buy wheat from the smaller farmer. The farmers market mentality. Yes, you
     will pay a little more at the store. Ron

     Comment by ron — April 5, 2007 @ 12:20 am

242. Our 200 lb Great Pyrenees has been sick and I did not know what was making him sick. He eats a few cans of Alpo in his dinner meal, Alpo, green beans, carrots, 1/2 lb of fresh cooked meat and when it is available pearl barley cooked in chicken broth. If he had only eaten Alpo canned food we may have lost him. In the last month he lost a ton of hair(his sides, portions on his legs and tummy is fully bald), he smelled of urine and I could not understand why, his eyes have been red/running and broke out very bad. Our rural vet thought possibly allergic reation. I am glad I found the reason for his illness. I won’t be buying anymore canned food for him.

     Comment by R. Stubbs — April 5, 2007 @ 6:11 am

243. I have morning coffee everyday with my neighbor and I noticed her cat was rapidly losing weight. I mentioned it to her and she took him to the vet. It was the very day before all the news broke out on the cat food recall. She had been feeding Bandit Special Kitty for about six months. Sure enough, the vet told her the cat had total kidney failure and was in the last stages. There were expensive procedures they could have done to prolong his life for about a month and they opted not to do that and had him put down, as the vet said he was in a lot of pain. I told her about the recall and we are sure that is what happened to her cat. We don’t know if the vet was aware of the recall and she called yesterday to let her vet know that she feels that is what happened to her cat.

     Comment by Mary Dailey — April 5, 2007 @ 6:38 am

244. I just spoke with my parents. They live several states away from us. Their dog was rushed to the vet three days ago. He had extreme runs. He eats Alpo prime cuts and Ol Roy treats. These manufacturers need to start paying the vet bills. They should offer right now to pay and provide service vet’s for anyone who has a pet sick right now. Many people cannot afford to take their pet to the vet. I do not have fifty dollars today to pay a vet to see my dog. Mom and Dad had a bill of over a hundred dollars from their trip to the dog doctor emergency. They love that dog so much and would be devastated if anything happened to him. Many of the dogs and cats out there belong to the elderly and provide these people with companionship.

     Comment by R. Stubbs — April 5, 2007 @ 8:50 am

245. Call CNN and FoxNews and Senator Durbin’s office
     and request congressional investigation be televised live feed.

     Comment by Valarie — April 6, 2007 @ 11:47 am

246. In the age of bioterrorism, has anyone considered the possibility that the tainted gluten was intentional??? Have we all ready forgotten the tainted spinach that made humans sick? I trust our goverment, to do littel more than what they’ve always done…screw us! A store manager argued with me today that the Alpo (which was listed in the recall) is now safe to buy, yeah right! Like I’d even take the chance! my animals now eat, tuna and chicken in water with rice and vegetables I now make at home, not only is it cheaper, but I’m no longer supporting the companies that are unregulated, and killing our animals. I seriously doubt writing letter will do anyone any good, but if you stop buying their products, they lose money are are then FORCED to make changes! Feed your pets foods you can trust, make your pet food at home…and supplement it with liquid vitamins - available through your vet. Half the crap on the sheves is full of artificial preservatives anyway, which isn’t good for your animals to begin with! I hope Menu Foods goes under for this…maybe then other companies will thake the iniciative to only buy quality products from the STATES, not some cheap crap they bought in bulk from countries that don’t uphold our same standards. The government robbed you of your taxes, do you really think they care about your pets???

     Comment by A. — April 6, 2007 @ 2:23 pm

247. Here is a link of making home made foods for your pets… copy this link: http://www.ehow.com/how_12697_.....e-dog.html

     Don’t trust foods not on the list, as foods are still being added…do you really want to take the chance? Not to mention the quality of the meats in your canned foods are not even considered high enough quality for humans! Why feed your animals nasty, low quality food? Treat your pets better, don’t buy off the shelf products! If YOU wouldn’t eat Alpo, why would you give it to your dog? You love your dog, right? So, why feed it something even you wouldn’t eat??

     Letters won’t make people/FDA take notice, you think the 08 runners are thinking about your pets?

     I spent 4 hours on the phone with Purina today getting the run around, and NO ONE could answer my questions as to whether or not the foods my animals consumed were safe. Given how Purina handled my calls today, I am now boycotting anything made my Nestlee. I hope you do the same! If we REFUSE to buy their products…we FORCE them to make changes! Take a STANCE! MAKE a statement! Stop sitting bck and simply accepting this! STOP BUYING DOG AND CAT FOOD - UNTIL WE FORCE THEM TO MAKE CHANGES! We are still a democracy, right? Its YOUR country - take the power back!

     Comment by Atlanta Girl — April 6, 2007 @ 3:17 pm

248. The current viewpoint seems to be that a dogs life is not as valuable as a human life. They are saying dogs are NOT a member of the family, and their death could never be compared to the death of…. say, a child.

     But I put this to you…… is the world stupid? Or is the world just uninformed?

     If your dog can affect your homeowners insurance rate, is the monetary rate difference not a ‘value’?

     If your dogs actions ( or inaction on your part in relation to your dogs actions ) can cause you to be incarcerated, is your freedom of no ‘value’?

     Your dog can affect your taxes. You could be charged with delinquent license fee’s, and various dog related exemptions can be claimed on you 1040. This means the government has placed a ‘value’ on your dog, doesn’t it?

     Traffic citations have been issued for dogs riding unsecured in a motor vehicle. If their safety is of concern to law enforcement officials, does this not give their life a ‘value’?

     Dog owners are offered insurance for medical expenses, dental care, and travel related issues. The costs for this insurance can equal the costs of insuring your child. Would insurance companies even offer to insure something of no ‘value’?

     And finally, there are other things that must be considered when the ‘value’ of a dogs life comes in question.

     Dog owners, breeders and handlers have invested years and thousands of dollars to produce perfection of bloodlines and breeds. Would you tell them they have wasted money on a thing of no ‘value’?
     And think of all the disabled men, women and children whose lives are dependent on their dog. Would you tell them that the dog who helps them live a better life is considered to be worthless?
     How about all the lives saved from avalanche, fire or drowning… by a dog. Or perhaps those that are injured while out in the wilderness and have been found… by a dog. Even the lost children, returned home safely… because of a dog? Are these lives that are saved of no ‘value’?

     The world needs to wake up and learn why a dogs life does have ‘value’. And who are they to say that a poisoning death of a dog means so little. Perhaps those individuals who place so little value on the life of a dog should think twice before they open their mouth and shove in both feet!

     I challenge all nay-sayers!

     Comment by MDT Services — April 6, 2007 @ 5:30 pm

249. Bravo MDT Services. Senator Durbin and the others should hear what you have to say. Agree with you 1000%.

     Comment by Valarie — April 6, 2007 @ 8:31 pm

250. He was the smallest of the litter, coal blqack and sleek, he was full of love and playfulness, he soon became qan inside cat along with my 17 year old persian,and 5 year old tonkinese, he would rub my feet over and over until i picked him up and petted him while he purred so loudly i thought the neighbors would hear,truly the most affectionate cat i ever had, until one day he wasn’t there. we looked and looked then he came to us very ill, at first i thought he had f.i.p.but i had fed him seperately because he was so special, he died a horrible death, i miss him very much and i am angry that he was taken from me by the food i gave him god rest his soul, i love you Sambo

     Comment by paulette pierce — April 6, 2007 @ 10:16 pm

251. I lost my baby yesterday with kidney failure from Mighty Dog. He ate this food all his life. In five days I watched him go from 15 lbs to 7 lbs. The hardest thing I have ever had to do was “put him down”. Then I get home today and my girl is having the same symtoms. She is at the vet’s now being watched. I am ready to do something but I don’t know where to start. I can’t believe I have killed my babies.

     Comment by Nancy — April 6, 2007 @ 10:30 pm

252. Nancy I would start by writing a letter to your Congress Rep.

     Keep your food and if you feel so inclined join one of the SEVERAL class actions suits. Whatever you do don’t send your food back to the company hold on to it especially if you want to see your day in court. Try to get good documentation from your Vet including the tests.

     Sorry for your loss, I hope we get these bastards so this will never happen again.

     Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 6, 2007 @ 11:28 pm

253. Paulette and Nancy - I wish I could say something more helpful than I’m sorry, but there really isn’t anything you can say, I guess.

     Nancy, you didn’t kill your dogs. You trusted people we believed we could trust. A lot of other people did too, and now we’re all paying the price.

     I hope like he__ the bastards who did this are made to pay for it. But they won’t be unless pet lovers like the ones here refuse to let it go.

     Comment by Laura — April 6, 2007 @ 11:41 pm

254. Nancy and Paulette,
     So many people here know your grief, your feelings of guilt. And our hearts are as heavy as yours.
     There are two options here:
     1. You can cry your heart out now, or
     2. You can channel that energy into moblilizing and contacting political figures so that they can effect change in the system.
     As hard as it is, right now you need to be strong and fight for the ones left behind, for laws and enforcement that will keep our treasured pets safe. That’s what your babies would want you to do.

     Comment by Lynn — April 7, 2007 @ 12:44 am

255. Please check out this pet food petition on my website and send to the FDA and/or your state senator and/or representative. Feel free to modify it in anyway you want! Thank you!!

     http://letsgetmotivated.typepad.com

     Comment by Lisa — April 7, 2007 @ 6:39 am

256. I am mom to many cats and have been keeping a close eye on the recalls. Menu foods and other companies involved need to know that this isn’t something they will be able to write off. Better regulations need to be in place and through consumer activism I know this can be done! My heart goes out to all pet parents who’ve lost fur children. I am an admin at a pet loss grief support site called The lighthouse. We are a password protected site for the privacy and safety of our members. If you need support during this time please don’t hesitate to join. a form will be sent to your email asking how you heard of us (we do this to try to keep out curiosity seekers and trolls) my user name is Morrigansmom and my name is Chris

     http://z14.invisionfree.com/Th...../index.php

     Chris

     Comment by Chris — April 7, 2007 @ 7:49 am

257. I hope I am not double-posting, but it doesn’t look like the other one worked.

     My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a pet.
     I know there are a lot of grieving people out there. I am an admin at a pet loss grief support site.If you need support please don’t hesitate to visit us or another support site on the web.

     our board is password protected for the privacy and protection of our members, so you will have to register first to join.

     http://z14.invisionfree.com/Th...../index.php

     Comment by Chris — April 7, 2007 @ 7:59 am

258. This is to Lisa

     Tried printing copy of petition twice. Cannot get
     the full text. Stops after item #2 “warning…..
     by research” then jumps to Shop Locally.

     Can this be fixed?

     Comment by VJ — April 7, 2007 @ 8:27 am

259. As we have been challenging various companies to divulge the origins of their ingredients (where is the flour from? the wheat gluten? corn? the supplements/vitamins that are added?, etc.) and are receiving evasive and scripted answers or answers that “they just don’t know” or that it “will take 3 to 4 weeks for me to research the answer,” I can see that we will (and should) pressure the market so much that those pet food companies that WANT TO STAND PROMINET and STAND BEHIND THEIR BRANDS as being guaranteed safe will willingly divulge their procurement and manufacturing procedures to a degree (at least, U.S. or foreign origins of products).

     They should be willing to divulge where the food is manufactured (plant and location), disclose whether or not they own the processing plant or rent the equipment, state whether their own employees oversee the actual production at the plant when their food is mixed and run through the machines, whether they have sophisticated methods of tracking the procurement and testing of individual ingredients along the way, and whether they can provide on-demand documentation that stringent rules were indeed followed in the manufacturing and packing of each batch of food. Along each step of the process, there needs to be DOCUMENTATION WITH ACCOUNTABILITY, with no less than a signature and any testing results obtained.

     Now that we are all more educated about this issue, a company who is able to put this level of transparency and specificity on its label, brochure or website, is the ONLY way that I will feel safer about feeding my animals a commercially produced pet food.

     Clearly, the current horror involving 100 brands, who primarily used one major pet food processing plant and the same wheat gluten supplier (which at this time is viewed as the likely source for the contaminant), has led to the catastrophic numbers of deaths and illnesses we are seeing, whether owners purchased what was considered a so called “premium” or “lesser” brand, no matter the food format: wet/pouches or dry, semi-moist treats or dry biscuits.

     I am in favor of competition among brands and keeping brand formulas secret for sales reasons, but I wonder if some of the smaller pet food manufacturing plants will step up to say that they will be a plant that will only process a high quality, safe, wholesome product that has a paper trail a mile long to back up its ingredients’ origins and test results, etc. I know the sales of foods with non-fillers/wheat gluten/no unnecessary chemicals or additives have soared recently. And I wonder if many of these smaller (better-for-your-pet [for lack of a better word]) brands can work together to use TRUSTED SUPPLIERS who can absolutely guarantee the safety of the ingredients and the manufacturing process and band together to patronize only those manufacturing plants that also want to uphold food safety and quality over the lure of the big buck.

     The smaller pet food companies will grow, and perhaps the individual companies can lower their production costs at these plants by more smaller like-minded companies joining the group to rent the plant. There would still be a healthy competition occurring, yet each company could help the others by lowering procurement and production costs, BUT NOT LOWERING STANDARDS.

     (I’m planning on using a couple of the interior paragraphs [after I revise them more] into a letter to send to various politicians.)

     Gina is correct. Emails are helpful, but not nearly as potent as a physical stack of letters on a politician’s desk. When reviewing mail, the interns can just say, “You received 252 emails about the pet food recall.” I would doubt if all of the emails would be printed. Whereas, physically seeing a stack of 252 letters is visual and can be held in hand. For the purpose of wanting action, mailing a letter is best. All you have to do is change the name & address of the recipient and hit the “print” button.

     Comment by petlover — April 7, 2007 @ 9:41 am

260. I find it most horrifying that there appears to be insufficient oversight regarding human and pet food in the U.S. Added to that is my dismay at lack of direct contact phone numbers on certain pet products and that some products thought to be safe and not on the recall list one day promptly showed up there the next. This had to have caused more pet owners to confidently feed their animals what they believed to be safe food, only to find out within a further 24 hours that it was, at best, suspect.

     The way the recall notifications were handled constituted a totally dangerous, confused muddle that should never be allowed to happen again.

     Let’s demand that ALL food in the chain, whether human or pet, be subjected to stringent safety and inspection standards!

     Comment by Angela Lee — April 7, 2007 @ 9:41 am

261. Hi VJ (and others),
     Sorry for the problems in printing the petition. I am not sure why it doesn’t print correctly. I am still trying to figure out the logistics of typepad. I would copy it from the site (http://letsgetmotivated.typepad.com) and paste in Word if I were you. Thanks!

     Comment by Lisa — April 7, 2007 @ 7:36 pm

262. Does anyone know about the planned march on Sacramento in April? I want to bring my dog who has recovered from renal failure (nutro ultra).
     I also want to agree with posts above regarding contacting your local new stations with your stories. I did, and not only did they call me within 2 days, we were being interviewed within an hour of the phone call. Rupert was very cute, but now is impossible to live with :>). Much better than trying to contact Menu Foods, who still hasn’t called me back after 3 phone calls.

     Comment by joyce — April 8, 2007 @ 12:03 am

263. My cat got sick in Nov. 2006. She was throwing up stomach bile and feces was pouring out of her. Took her to the vet. immediatly and was on a I-V for 4 days! She is in partical renal failure now. I was wondering this has been going on! Was it kept a secret? She had eaten the Special Kitty that day! I still have the bag. She is on special diet, from the vet. Cost for saving my pet $1400.00. Pet food company should pay for all animals that got sick or died. What a joke!

     Comment by Patricia — April 8, 2007 @ 9:07 am

264. I don’t know if my dog died as a result of this food.His name was merrel,a 200lb mix dane/lab ,my best friend quit eating for a few days and this was very wierd for a dog that never quit eating.He began to lie down and started vomiting green fluid.before I could get him to the vet.on the 4th day he got up to come to me,vomited and dropped dead in my arms. this happened on the 2nd to third week of march.I feed him all brands of food.I feel very guilty and sad.are these the symptoms?

     Comment by Glenn messick — April 8, 2007 @ 11:20 am

265. What will be the justice for yet another bumbling, incompetent negligent act by yet another government agency (in this case the FDA) who are bought and paid for corporate puppets and civil servant leeches.

     Like organ grinders monkeys these politicians and federal agencies dance for their corporate pimps tunes and as always the people suffer their incompetence and their pimps agenda.

     I am bone tired of these parasites stealing our tax money and do nothing in the capacities they were hired for.

     This time they killed our babies, they murdered those beautiful creatures who are as deep in our hearts as our own children.

     My heart goes out to those who lost their babies from this poison for money scam that took place while the government sock puppets looked, as they always do, the other way.

     I encourage justice in whatever form that can be brought to bear. Class action law suits, compensation for Vet bills and the digging through all the government BS that always follows these criminal acts perpetrated by the corporate slug slime and their pimped government puppets until we find all those responsible and hold them accountable in the

     Comment by wLa2 — April 8, 2007 @ 9:45 pm

266. Inform businesss like Trader Joe’s that their name will be included in a lawsuit and they will be forced to reveal the names of the companies which manufacture their pet foods. Do the same with other firms and join one of the many class action lawsuits now in the process of being put together.

     Call your congressman and DEMAND that the FDA step up on this issue. They have been lagging and their report that only 16 confirmed pet deaths took place is an INSULT TO OUR INTELLIGENCE!

     GET ANGRY and turn that anger into action. We have the power to do it and we will prevail.

     Meanwhile, avoid buying ANYTHING made in China. If you do a little research, it is available here and it is made here. All it takes is some effort. China has a horrible animal rights record. What they do to animals we have as pets is abyssmal and would make everyone sick and disgusted.

     Avoid shopping in stores which carry Chinese made goods, be it apparel or most of all food. It’s all junk anyway.

     Eve Aquarella
     San Francisco

     Comment by Eve Aquarella — April 9, 2007 @ 3:31 pm

267. This whole incidence and lack of regulation for our pets makes me sick. My cats are my life and I lost a very special one today to CRF and he ate some of the tainted food in December 2006. We have spent every day since then, 3 transfusions later and alot of money and prayers to save him. He was only 3!!! So they basically murder members of our families and nothing happens? And where do they get off saying the pets are property anyway?!?! They most certainly are NOt1. They are our family and whoever says they are property must not give a damn about animals, much less have morals or a conscious. People’s fate is usually in their own hands..they have choices and chose their own destiny and make it whatever they want or choose not to. But pets depend on US. We are all they have and they trust inus and then we unknowingly feed them tainted food…food that knowingly should have been recalled weeks before it was recalled and we are burdened with the guilt that we unknowingly assisted in their deaths!! Something HAS to be done about this and SOMEBODY HAS TO BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS!! And the laws need to change to protect our babies!!

     Comment by T Taylor — April 9, 2007 @ 10:45 pm

268. cAN SOMEONE/ANYONE HELP ME. mY CAT DIED FROM RAPID ACUTE KIDNEY DISEASE RGHT AFTER A COMPLEE BLOOD WORK UP THAT SHOWED HIS KIDNEYS TO BE IN EXCEKEBTSHAP. tHE NEXT DAY THE VET SUGGESTED HILL’S SCIENCE C/D CAT FOD TO HELP HIM LOSE WEIGHT. WITHIN A MONTH HIS KIDNEYS STARTED FAILING AND EVERONE WAS AT A LOSS TO KNOW WHY. HE WAS IMMEDIAELY CHANGED TO HILL’S SCIENCE K/D HOPEFULLY TO HELP HIS KIDNEYS. MY BELOVED PET DIED UNEXPECTEDLY ON MY COUCH WITHING THREE NONTHS F PUTTING HIM ON HILLS SCIENCE C/D AND NOTHING ELSE UNTIL HIS KIDNEYS STARTED FAILING WHEN HE WAS PUT ON C/D. HERES MY PROBLEM M/DHILLS DIET HAS BEEN VOLUNTARALLY REALLED ALONG WITH THEIR CANS OF RAVY FOOD AS IT ALL HAS WHEAT GLUTEN IN IT BUT THEY HAVE NOR RECALED C/D SO I AM TOLD HE COULD NOT HAVE DIED FROM C/D!!!I CHEKED THE INTERNET AND NOTICED IT SAID C/D HAS GLUTEN IN IT AFTER THE VET HAD SAID C/D COUD NOT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. I DID NOT WANT TO SUE ANYNE, I DID NOT WANT MY CAT TO HAVE DIED N VAIN AND NW I KNOW OTHERS THAT HAVE KOST CATS WHILE ON C/D. I CALLED HIL’S FOR THE UPTEETH TIME AND FINALY GOT A VERY NICE YUNG MAN, WHO TOLD ME YES, C/D HAD GLUTEN IN IT..CORN GLUTEN. HE ADMITTED THAT FOREIGN WHET PATCHES AND CORNFIELDS WERE NOT THE PROBLEM, IT WAS THE GLUTEN BUT AS KONG AS HILL;S WONT RECALL C/D MORE AND MORE CATS ARE GOING TO DIE UNTIL THIS ORRIBLE MESS IS STRAIGHTENED UT. H\WHAT WOULD THE PUBLIC THINK TO JKNOW THAT THEY WERE FEEDING C/D WITH CORN GLUTEN I IT USED ALSO BECAUSE RODENTS LOVE CORN AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THN WHEAT. I REALLY NEED HELP AS N ONE WILL EVEN DCUSS MY PET’S OBVIOUS DEATH EXCEPT “I’M SO SORRY.” BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED NOR ON ‘THE LIST.” DORES ANYONE HAVE ANY THUGHTS ON THIS. I AM A 5 YESR OLD DISABLED WOMAN TRYING TO LIVE ON $850 A MONTH AND NEED HELP AS THIS COST ME MUCH MORE THAN I COULD AFFORD. I WILL NEVER EVER SUE ANYONE TO GET HELP BUT WOULDN’T I BE NICE FO THEM TO ERL ME THT IT WSAS CERTAINLY IKELY THAT C/D KILLED MY “MONSTER” 11 YEARS OLD AND ONE OF THE SWEETEST CATS KNOWN BY AKLL. INSTEAD, I GUESS THEY ARE AFRAID F LAWSUITS AS I AMSUE MANY PEOPLE WILL TRY. I WOULD JUST BE ASOLUTELY HILED IF OU OF THE GOODNESS OF THEIR HEAR THEY WOULD HELP ME JUS WITH VET BILS. TOWARD TH END BECUSE OF MY LONG EXTERNSIVE ORK ITH BOTH DOGS AND CAS, I WAS PURCHASIG THRE EQUIPMENT AND HYDATING HIM AT HOME EERY OTHER DAY DESPERATELY TRYING TO GRT HIM WELL. WE JUST COLD NOT FIGU OUT WHY HIS KIDNYS FSIED WHEN HIS FOD WSS SWITCHED AND FUR DYS LATER THE NEWS HIT. I AS DEVSTAED, BLAMING MYSELF. I OULD HAE LOED MONSTER HERE WITH ME A ND LIE HAN DING THE WAY HE DID. HANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND IF ANYONR BELIEVES ME AND CAN HELP GET HILLS SCIENCE DIET C/D PUT ON THE RECALL LIST AND MOST OF ALL A MASSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO ORN GLUTEN. AGAIN THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING O ME. MY PHONE # IS 805-646-6410.

     Comment by NANCY VERNAND — April 10, 2007 @ 12:50 am

269. We have a very small window of opportunity - to garner the attention of Senators before the hearing on Thursday (April 12)….

     I ask for a MASSIVE E-MAIL CAMPAIGN

     This board gets hundreds of visitors - if each person can send off two simple emails - to Senators Durbin and Kohl - tell them you support their investigation and action related to the pet food industry.

     http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

     http://kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

     WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE HEARING… PLEASE DON’T LET IT PASS BY WITHOUT GETTING INVOLVED!!!

     Comment by Lynette — April 10, 2007 @ 2:29 pm

270. Do you think there will be a class action suit
     filed against this company. they should pay for what they did, no amount of money can replaced what we have lost but if we can close this company dwn or hurt them where it would mean the most it would be a good thing.

     Comment by marianne olsen — April 10, 2007 @ 3:01 pm

271. WHO is the person GAVE the ok and WHY.Was it for MONEY $$$$$ or to POISON PET FOOD or (both).????

     Comment by John — April 10, 2007 @ 5:18 pm

272. As of today, April 10, 2007, NUTRO has recalled many 3 oz. cat food CANS that it previously and adamantly informed the public were not part of the recall and were completely safe. Cans that do not indicate anywhere that they are manufactured by MenuFoods. Cans with lot numbers identical to the unused cans on my shelf that I had been feeding my two young (1.8 y.o) cats for months …

     Perhaps if they had accurately informed the public and recalled the products IMMEDIATELY, my two boys would have been spared acute renal failure, catheters, sub-q fluid therapy and chronic renal failure. Perhaps I could have been spared the trauma, fear, anxiety, stress and expense ($6k and mounting).

     It appalls me that a company that advertises itself as being so wonderful has responded so poorly to this crisis. I am both vindicated and disappointed by this most recent recall — some small part of me hoped I hadn’t been feeding my cats poison and that they just randomly fell ill.

     To all those with sick pets, I wish you the best… I am to learn to administer sub-q fluids to my cat tomorrow so that he may have the best chance of making it through this.

     Comment by Holly — April 10, 2007 @ 6:57 pm

273. I sent an e-mail to Senator Durbin and Senator Kohl even though I am a Michigan resident. I sent letters to my Congressman and Congresswoman and State Representative, and to nobody’s surprise I have had no response from any of them. And have you noticed, the list of bad food keeps growing and growing. I have noticed that this crisis is getting a little more atention in the media and on the internet news. We cannt let these big Corporations get away with killing our pets. Everyone who owns pets that are still with them (thank goodness) and us that have lost our precious pet(s), take a stand! Write, e-mail, phone your State Representatives and let them know we as tax paying Americans are not going to lay down on this issue. The information on websites, phone numbers, etc. have been given to us above, SO PLEASE ACT NOW!!!! I cannot sit around and let my best friend’s death go in vain!! ACT NOW. I did.

     Comment by Liz — April 10, 2007 @ 11:47 pm

274. My 12 year old siamese cat, Simon, has been on Prescription Diet i/d, dry and canned, and I recently opened a new bag of it and then Simon became ill,with heavy breathing/panting and drooling and within approximately 10 minutes he had passed away. The i/d formula does not list wheat gluten as an ingredient, but I know that’s what poisioned him!! He had classic poisioning symptoms and that’s all the food he ate … he died on April 2nd. My lab has also been on prescription diet foods, but no more, I’ve changed his dry food to Natural Balance.

     Comment by Diane — April 12, 2007 @ 12:23 am

275. I wrote a previous comment about Hills Prescription Diet Feline i/d and how my cat died after consuming it….i/d contains “CORN GLUTEN” and pet parents should throw everything out that contains corn gluten also.

     Comment by Diane — April 12, 2007 @ 12:17 pm

276. I recived the following email from Purina as a responce to phone calls and remails to them;

     Thank you for contacting Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. Our office has received your email and we appreciate you taking the time to contact us with your questions/concerns. If you contacted Nestlé Purina PetCare Company to better understand our voluntary withdrawal of Mighty Dog® brand products in pouch packaging as well as our voluntary nationwide recall of all sizes and varieties of ALPO® Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes, please visit http://www.purina.com for additional information.

     Please know that we are working as quickly as possible to respond to emails received from loyal consumers, such as yourself. One of our team members will be calling you within the next few days to address your concerns.

     We also want to apologize for any difficulty you may have had in reaching us by phone this week. While we have dedicated numerous additional phone lines, people and other resources exclusively for this purpose, we understand that the volume of calls still has occasionally exceeded our system capacity.

     Thank you for your patience and for contacting our office.

     The very generic way in their responce shows that they are in no way concerned or sorry for subjecting our pets to life threating illnesses. I have yet to recive a call from them.
     I have called the FDA and have not received any responce only a voice message asking me to leave a message.
     My beloved friend and companion is dead and they could care less. I for one will be joining any class action suit if for no other reason than to let Menu Foods know that my friend is dead and they caused his death trying to maintain their bottom line.

     I have heard there are class action suits being filed, can anyone tell me who to contact so I can join in?

     Comment by Desiree — April 13, 2007 @ 12:40 pm

277. I recently received a response from Senator Durbin after sending him my petition. Check out: http://letsgetmotivated.typepad.com.

     I still think we need to send as many letters as possible until the standards change!

     Also, I am urging everyone to write their local newspaper to ask people to act now for pets.

     Here are my thoughts so far. Anything I’m missing??

     1. Keep writing letters to Congress and FDA for higher standards on pet food.
     -We cannot stop writing until things change.

     2. Read ingredients on pet food and treats
     -Urge consumers to read carefully the ingredients and avoid pet foods and treats with ingredients such as:

     Synthetic additives/preservatives found in many pet food brands (i.e., MSG, Formalin, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Sodium Metabisulfate, Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Benzoate, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (also used as a less-toxic version of automotive antifreeze), and ethoxyquin) and other ingredients such as Red Dye No 40, Lead, Artificial Flavorings, and By Products.

     3. Understand distinctions between AAFCO standards and actual quality of food.
     -Although foods might meet AAFCO standards, they might be of different quality, especially if 1 contains any of the ingredients listed above. I recently e-mailed a newspaper regarding an article that suggested otherwise.

     4. Check out important pet-related websites to talk with others and share knowledge.
     http://www.petconnection.com
     http://www.api4animals.org/fac.....amp;more=1
     http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer

     5. Be critical when choosing a vet
     -Most vets have only 1 week of training in nutrition. Is that enough? Choose a vet that you feel is knowledgable about nutrition.

     Comment by Lisa — April 13, 2007 @ 1:23 pm

278. One more thing!

     Please speak up against this article from the Boston Globe! I can’t believe that they’re letting this stuff still get published —referring to the vet’s comments on nutrition.

     What’s really in there?
     Recall prompts shift to more natural and organic pet foods

     By Bruce Mohl, Globe Staff | April 5, 2007

     The massive recall of tainted pet food in the United States is sparking a broader debate about the quality of the food Americans are feeding their pets.

     Pet food stores say the recalls, which have been linked to contaminated wheat gluten from China, have prompted many consumers to shift to more expensive natural, organic, and holistic pet foods that contain recognizable meats, fruits, and vegetables.

     Connie Kastelnik of West Roxbury said she initially was relieved to learn that the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. food she buys for her dog Dillon was not on the recall list. When Hill’s recalled a dry cat food, however, she and her husband decided to start investigating more natural alternatives.

     “When something like this happens, it destroys your trust in the industry,” Kastelnik said. “You don’t know if tomorrow there will be something else.”

     Rebecca Remillard , a veterinarian-nutritionist at the Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain, said the shift to natural and organic products is understandable but not necessary nutritionally.

     She said there is no difference nutritionally between a $1.19 can of Wellness Turkey Formula cat food containing turkey, chicken, sweet potatoes, carrots, cranberries, and zucchini and a 45-cent can of Friskies Special Diet Turkey & Giblets Dinner containing just turkey, with meat and poultry “byproducts.”

     According to the labels on the two cans, both meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officers.

     Remillard said the Wellness product, manufactured by Old Mother Hubbard of Chelmsford, is being marketed to the sensibilities of the pet owner and not the pet. “You’re familiar with chicken. You don’t know what’s in chicken byproducts,” she said.

     A spokeswoman for Old Mother Hubbard declined to comment. Lisa DiPietro , the co-owner of The Pet Cabaret in Roslindale, which sells Wellness and other natural pet products, said the two cans of cat food may provide the same level of nutrients but the more natural product is better for the animal.

     Cats, DiPietro said, get nutrients more efficiently from meat than they do from wheat gluten, which some pet food manufacturers use as a thickener and nonmeat protein source. DiPietro’s co-owner, Lisa Schlossberg , said natural food is also more economical in the long run because it is more filling, meaning pets need to eat less of it.

     Kastelnik, a customer of The Pet Cabaret, said she isn’t sure whether she will ultimately switch brands, but she says the more natural products certainly sound better. She said her Hill’s dog food had ingredients like powdered cellulose, peanut hulls, and chicken and soybean meal. The pet food she is currently feeding her dog, a Bouvier des Flandres, contains turkey, chicken, barley, potatoes, apples, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, and even cottage cheese.

     The Food and Drug Administration has traced the tainted wheat gluten to shipments from a single Chinese exporter between Nov. 3, 2006, and Jan. 23. The wheat gluten was contaminated with melamine, a chemical typically found in plastics and pesticides.

     The problem was first uncovered early last month during tests by private-label pet food manufacturer Menu Foods Ltd. of Canada. On March 16, Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans and pouches of wet pet food. Recalls have since been made public by Hill’s, Del Monte Foods Co., and Nestle Purina Pet Care Co.

     Procter & Gamble Co., which markets the IAMS and Eukanuba pet food brands, ran ads in 59 newspapers this week apologizing to customers because certain wet foods manufactured for the company by Menu Foods had been included in the recall. “We are heartsick,” the company said in the ad.

     A spokesman for Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston estimated the hospital has seen about seven cases of kidney problems that appear to be linked to the tainted food, although he cautioned that no definitive connection has been made.

     Pet stores and supermarkets have pulled recalled products while others have posted signs saying their food is not subject to the recall.

     “It has opened people’s eyes,” said Jen Buehler , the sales supervisor at Pet Shop Girls in the South End, which sells natural pet foods. “It has opened a whole conversation with customers about what’s good for their pet.”

     Whole Foods Market Inc. and PETCO Animal Supplies Inc. both say they have seen customers gravitating toward natural pet foods, although officials at the two chains declined to quantify how much sales of natural pet foods have increased.

     “What we’re seeing is a shift,” said Don Cowan , a spokesman for PETCO.

     DiPietro at The Pet Cabaret says customers are scrutinizing labels more closely and concluding they want better food for their pets. “We’ve just seen a steady uptick in business and a steady uptick in concern,” she said. “People have become increasingly alarmed.”

     Bruce Mohl can be reached at mohl@globe.com.

     Comment by Lisa — April 13, 2007 @ 1:46 pm

279. M.CORNELL of Charlotte NC (04/12/07)
     On April 4, 2007 We brought some Ol Roy Dry Dog Food at wal-mart not knowing that the dog food was poisnous. I was taking care of my niece pit bull (BIG BOI) as well as our pit bull(PRINCESS).. BIG BOI got real sick on sunday april 8th after eating Ol Roy Dog Food I than called my niece and she took her dog to the vet and the vet gave her dog some medicine and diagonose her pit bull with hookworms; later that night her dog begin to vomit and steady diaherrhea we gave him the medicine the vet prescribe that night.

     When I woke up the next morning we found the dog dead, I than took my dog to the vet and told the vet the symptoms of my niece’s dog he immediately told me that my niece’s dog had coronavirus. He gave my dog several shots to prevent the same symptoms from occuring.

     Our dog begin to vomit and excessive diarrhea and foaming at the mouth and would not eat, drink or take her medicine. I then rushed the dog back to the vet but didnt make it before my dog expired.

     I lost 2 dogs from Dog Food Ol Roy in a period of 72 hours.

     Comment by M.CORNELL — April 13, 2007 @ 9:02 pm

280. M.Cornell - April 13, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
     I am so very sorry for you and your niece’s loss. My heart and all the people who post here go out to you.
     God bless you, hon.

     Comment by Kathi — April 13, 2007 @ 9:30 pm

281. My little dog, Buddy, died a terrible death on March 11. I am a diabetic and he would wake me when my glucose level dropped too low. Now I am alone. He ate Ol Roy Barkin Bacon Treats. I took two packages back to Wal-Mart for a refund and told them not to put them back on the shelf. They told me there was nothing wrong with the treats. They were on the recall list but they did not check it out. I am very sorry for the s,000+ pets that have died. Something has to be done, soon.

     Comment by Opal — April 13, 2007 @ 10:28 pm

282. I have heard, in the past, powerful news and radio spots where they played a string of online phone messages where people call in to say things like, “My mom is great because…” or “I’m mad about this situation because…”

     It occurred to me that I could do the same and post them on my blog.

     I’ve set up a toll-free stories line for you to call in and tell us, briefly, your pet food recall story.

     Call 800-609-9006 x1684
     State your first name, home town, how many pets you have, and tell your story.
     Be brief, try not to use profanity, and just tell us what heppend.

     Teresa Holladay
     The Safe Pet Food Blog
     Click on my name to get the exact link for the stories and phone info

     Comment by Teresa Holladay — April 15, 2007 @ 8:55 am

283. WE NEED A CELEBRITY TO TAKE A STAND ON PET FOOD SAFETY

     I think we need a celebrity to take a stand on the pet food recall/safety issue. We can speak and write letters ourselves, which is very helpful, but a celebrity presence who can do TV commercials, radio spots, magazine layouts, etc. will be far more powerful.

     In surfing around, I saw that Judge Judy Sheindlin (Judge Judy court TV show) was a spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League’s 2005 Tour for Life and Pet Adoptathon. See p. 28 of The Pet Savers Foundation magazine, Paws to Think, link is below.)

     No matter what you think of court-TV type shows, Judge Judy knows a lame argument when she hears one, is smarter than a whip, and can put someone in their place like no one else with her caustic retorts and glaring eyes. I’m not saying it should be Judge Judy, but she is clearly an animal lover and is willing to put her name to a cause, at least, pet adoption.

     If the focus is on pet food safety standards/more inspections before & during processing, and not blaming individual companies, I think a celebrity will be more willing to put their name to a cause.

     Should we decide on some TV personalities to see if they want to speak out on pet food safety? I really think we need a person with the visibility and recognition factor. If so, should the invitation letter come from a central, single person on this site? I’m certainly willing to write a letter to a TV personality, but there are other people here far more knowledgeable about the issues than I.

     Think of some of these personalities over the years and with what cause we associate them…

     Bono?
     Willie Nelson?
     Princess Diana? …just to name a few…

     Comment by petlover — April 15, 2007 @ 12:34 pm

284. Sorry. Here’s the link to Judge Judy (see page 28 of the Pet Savers Foundation magazine titled Paws to Think) in the story about the North Shore Animal League’s 2005 Tour for Life and Pet Adoptathon.

     http://www.petsavers.org/paws_.....ing_05.pdf

     Comment by petlover — April 15, 2007 @ 12:39 pm

285. My beloved pet died late March, after four months of struggling with this disease. She went downhill fast around February-March.

     It was heartbreaking, unexpected, and uncalled for. The worst part is that I kept feeding her the gravy pouches because that was all she would eat, even as she was getting sicker and sicker and her appetite getting worse and worse (to non-existant). Nobody, not even my vet, informed me of what was going on with the recall until it was too late. My vet also told me that her bloodwork came back normal (besides her skyrocketing anemia values — which I was never told was a serious problem), and then she died the next day. It was while I was gone. I had her checked to decide whether I was going to go out of town or not. I was going to stay if I knew her health had gotten so bad.

     It makes me sick to my stomach.

     What is going on here??!!! I feel so betrayed by the media, the pet food company, and most sadly of all my vet…

     To Iams’ credit they said they are going to help me pay back my thousands of dollars in vet bills. So I suggest anybody who fed them the Iams wet food pouches call them. Menu Foods will NOT help you and they will be extremely rude over the phone if you didn’t use one of their brand names…whatever.

     May you rest in peace, my little companion, I love you.
     I miss you so, so much.
     I can’t believe this happened to you.
     I cry about you every day.
     I hope those responsible will keep to their promise and pay for what they’ve done…
     But nothing will ever replace you.. :(

     Comment by Imissmykitty — April 15, 2007 @ 2:27 pm

286. Our sheltie we’ve had for 9 years died this morning. I and the whole family lost a wonderful friend. The 4 and 5 year old children were very upset as they found her.

     She got sick vomited for a day and we thought she was getting better but had no idea the food we were giving her was causing the problem.

     Why, after several weeks, is poison food still on store shelves?

     This shows the real motivation of those who have not fully disclosed the entire scope of this problem - $$. They are money driven and do not really care about people or that they have been selling poison.

     I wonder what they will do if this ever happens to the food supply we eat?

     This is a tragedy and only shows the moral depravity of the facist corporate regimes that have come to power in this county. I will never buy any pet food from any of these companies that are involved ever again.

     Comment by Rodney — April 15, 2007 @ 7:48 pm

287. Rodney - I’m so sorry for the loss of your Sheltie - and the sorrow of your children. It’s a senseless tragedy.

     Linda MS

     Comment by Linda — April 15, 2007 @ 8:12 pm

288. Rodney, I hear you. Problem is these pet food companies are intertwined with people food companies and other types of products.

     I don’t want to support them either in any way shape or form. A candy company just bought a pet food company and I am just using that one as an example.

     I WILL do without something in order not to support them.

     Comment by DeeAnn — April 15, 2007 @ 8:44 pm

289. This morning, I got my first phone call from Crawford & Company, the claims adjuster for Menu Foods. Has anyone else received this call!?!!?

     Comment by jennifer — April 16, 2007 @ 9:17 am

290. I am curious if anyone received replies from their Congressmen. I wrote my State and U.S. Senators and Representatives on March 28 and never even received a form letter from their office.

     Comment by Sheila — April 16, 2007 @ 11:16 am

291. Has anyone heard anything else about pet owners marching on Washington and Sacramento? I was planning to drive to Sacramento to participate, but don’t want to go unless I know it’s really happening.

     Comment by Joyce — April 17, 2007 @ 1:45 pm

292. Sheila…..I did the same as you a few days later than you and I have not received any feedback whatsoever either. Hopefully this means that they are being bombarted by the mail and they can’t keep up with responses.

     Comment by Liz — April 18, 2007 @ 9:20 am

293. Talking about celebrities…Bob Barker on the game show “The Price is Right” (although he is retiring soon from the game show) is a big advocate for spaying and nuetering your pets. Could he be the spokesperson?

     Comment by Liz — April 18, 2007 @ 9:33 am

294. Hi Sheila & Liz:
     Check out my website (www.letsgetmotivated.typepad.com) for the response I received from Senator Durbin. Also on Durbin’s website, there’s a video from the pet food recall hearing (http://www.durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=272317)

     Comment by Lisa — April 18, 2007 @ 6:50 pm

295. My two cats were on Iams Kitty pouches and Sophsisticate pouches before the first recall. I immediately took them off this food and took them to the vets for testing. Their renal function is okay but my question is-these cats are also on Purina Diabetic Dry which contains corn gluten. Should I be concerned with the corn or the gluten. I am confused. Fist the recall is for wheat, then wheat gluten, then gluten-Can anyone direct me to the correct answer. And also, can anyone suggest a diabetic cat food that is not on the recall list or a meal I can make myself to feed my cats, one of which is on insulin. Please help. Thank you.

     Comment by dee — April 19, 2007 @ 11:09 am

296. garding the article in the North county Times on 4/17/07; titled “Safety OF IMPORTED FOOD QUESTIONED,” by Andrew Bridges. Excellent “eye opener” on “non-inspected food (pouring/dumping),” into this country from Asia. I now call it: “The New China Syndrome.” This new syndrome appears to be “under the radar,” and I feel it is one of the “latest in bioterrism threats.” America needs to wake up!!! We are too laxed on imported foods & raw material inspections. I feel it is very, very real. Pet food poisons enter “under” the radar of FDA inspections… for example, my once healthy pure bred dog is a victum..he died 3 weeks ago vomiting upon feeding him contaminated pet food, time and time again. I have been unknowingly feeding these noted dog foods & snacks (Menu Foods) for at least 3-4 months & noted his rapid loss in energy, appetite,weight & vigour. In my view, this pet food contamination has been a problem “longer than what is noted in the media.” Check out yourself, what the dean at Cornell University Vetrinary of Medicine identified as the initial ingredient found in the tested (Menue Foods) contaminated pet food..”Aminopterin.” Did you know that”Aminopterin” was once used in the early 1950’s & is no longer used “chemotherapy drug,” to treat childhood leukemia. This particular drug was then used and sold world wide as a “rat & mouse poison.” The US outlawed this Aminopterin (drug) ingredient applied to wheat to keep rats and mice away. However it can and is used in China in their wheat gluten process. Check out all of foods in you household that have “wheat gluten” in them. Have some of these same wheat gluten products entered our food supply from China? Who is to say? Who is checking our human food supply perhaps containing this same imported wheat gluten? Check it out yourself by Googling the word “aminopterin.” However, all we hear about is Melamine a (plastic)—-BS!!! Melamine is being used as smoke screen, covering the real problem ingredient(aminopterin). Here is another concern—-What about the growing rate of “bed bug” infestation accross the United States? Check the labels on all of your down & cotton labels stuffing your pillows and bed linens and guess where are they imported from? Who is inspecting these bedding products? What contaminents/pests are coming into this country under the current radar inspection process?

     Comment by Barbara — April 19, 2007 @ 6:44 pm

297. Just went through an episode last Saturday night with my Muppet. She refused to eat her wet food, later started vomiting (at first bile) blood. Took her to the emergency vet, went through a week of sucralose and zantac tx. Didn’t think too much of it , its spring right. Now with the additional recalls and concerns over other glutens ect. The food she had isn’t recalled…I wonder?? I haven’t given her the wet food since… What’s a person to do…

     Comment by Monica N — April 21, 2007 @ 10:14 pm

298. It’s about dang time, ain’t it? Congress has finally found some scruples! Only after it has been discovered that the American people are being poisoned also. But, it took our loving dear pets to make this happen. It should have never happened in America! I am so digusted with this Aministration I could BARF! FEED THE PIGS TO THE PIGS!

     Comment by Liz — April 26, 2007 @ 9:32 am

299. Here’s what I’m doing: I’m boycotting every pet food company until the day that one of the smart ones advertises that none of the ingredients are imported, and it’s all grown and made in the USA. Until then, my dog gets homemade.

     Comment by Cheryl Hansen — April 26, 2007 @ 8:50 pm

300. This is my first time to do this, but I’m just beyond furious. After the initial mention of a recall (late Feb.) I’m no sure, anyway I got rid of everything that had wheat gluten. In exchange for some of these product, one was Blue Buffaloe, Spa Select for kittens. Pricey - yes, but what could we do for these kittens. The ones that likes that type the bed got “puny” one day and 4 were dead the next morning. No, I can’t prove it, but when I took the bag back to PetsMart their comment was, “Yep, this is it!” So, it’s been a nightmare! What are se supposed to do. We have many cats (we take care of a large colony were we live, and we have several cats that live inside with us, some in the back yard and 2 Pomeraniens! I’m open to anything legal that can put pressure on these people’s pocketbooks. My BIGGEST irritation in all of this is WHY didn’t all of the manufacturers test ALL of their products for melemine immediately when they found out that animals were dying. Theis crap has been going on for —-you know about that and it has just been dribbling down to us and we have continued to lose animals because we gave them food we were told had not been recalled and was SAFE! Bullshit! If there is a lawsuit or any other type of action against these rats - I’m here and I ready to go! Thank you for letting me rant! (this is only after the tears.
     Comment by Linda Paul - April 30, 2007,@ 1:08am

     Comment by Linda Paul — April 30, 2007 @ 11:08 pm

301. Hi my name is samnatha and almost 1 year ago , my cat mickey passed away from eating Purina Cat Chow Indoor Formula , I only gave it to him for a week , and on the 7th day he passed , what is being done to make sure this never happens again , i feel lost and sad eveyday . I want something to be done about this and it seems like theres nothing . I gave my cat that food because it was suppost to be good for him and instead it killed him . it happen on may 19 2007 at 11.30pm , i cried for weeks and i still cry today . what can we do ? to make our cat food safe ?

     Comment by samantha — March 17, 2008 @ 7:24 am

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  • December 2008