Pet-food recall: The ‘My Pet Counts! Post Card Blitz’
By Gina Spadafori
April 24, 2007
-
If you have a sick pet or a question on your pet’s health, call your veterinarian.
- If you want your say on food-safety reform, Sen. Durbin’s office wants to hear from you.
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page (includes links to recalled foods).
- If you’d like suggestions on what to feed, click here.
- If you want to report a sick or deceased pet, click here.
Bringing up from the comments: (more on this on the Itchmo forums):
My Pet Counts! Postcard Blitz
We are calling on all pet owners, parents, guardians who have lost a pet due to contaminated pet food to join us in a post card blitz to demonstrate the full scope of this pet food recall disaster.
The FDA continues to publicize only “16 confirmed deaths.” This number has often been repeated by the media. Reliable sources report that the number of pet deaths are and will be much higher - most likely in the thousands.
If you want your pet’s death to count for something good, please join the My Pet Counts! Post Card Blitz.
Who: Anyone who has lost a pet due to contaminated pet food.
What: Post cards may have a picture of your pet, or can be blank.
Purchase cards or design your own. Each set of postcards represents one pet. If you have lost multiple pets, send multiple cards to each address. Only one set of postcards per dead pet, please. Postcards ONLY, this is to ensure the mail is delivered with no security delay.Where: No need to leave home. You can mail your postcards from your own mailbox.
When: All postcards should be mailed on Saturday, April 28th.
This coincides with the national march organized by KOPS (Keep Our Pets Safe). If all postcards are mailed on the same day, the impact will be all the greater when received at the other end.Why: By sticking to the “only 16 confirmed deaths” wording this disaster is being grossly minimized. The word must get out!
How: Mail a postcard to each of the addresses provided.
The message should be very short, easy to read, no anger, profanity, or rudeness of any kind. Let them see your grief. Tug at their heartstrings. Use your pet’s name. Use the words “My Pet Counts!”
Post card Mailing List:
Marcia K. Larkins, D.V.M
FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
Ombudsman
7519 Standish Place HFV-7
Rockville, MD 20855Senator Richard Durbin
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Your own senator: addresses at http://tinyurl.com/b1lm
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500Anderson Cooper
c/o CNN
One CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2762
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Technorati Tags: pet food recall
, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
THANKS HUGE GINA for posting this!!!
I just saw it after replying to E. Hamilton in the other thread.
Sending scads of tailwags & a full blown wiggle butt dance your way for making this an official blog entry!
Comment by Ally — April 24, 2007 @ 6:06 pm
Wonderful idea. I will make sure to get mine ready to go.
Comment by Adrienne — April 24, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
Thank you Gina for getting this up! Right here in front. My post cards are ready.
There was interest when I got a call back from Ceaser Milan Dog Psychology Center in L.A. They may be want to adopt a “Pile o Stuffies”. Told to contact his publisist, the e-mail addy is powerofthepack@aol.com and they would love to hear more about these ideas and anymore anyone has been brainstorming. I wanted to tell you all the news on that, well what do you think?
They are in a panic for the continued good health of their pack and watching them like hawks. I was slightly excited a call back within 24 hours. Still no word from Cooper Anderson, anyone else write to him?
Comment by Maudigan — April 24, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
Thank you so much for making this an official blog heading, Gina. And thanks to all the bloggers who gathered over at itchmo.com forum to contribute and make it happen.
Comment by Marilyn — April 24, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
Comment by Ally — April 24, 2007 @ 6:06 pm
Oh too funny Ally! YESSSSS! Thanks a big bundle Gina! I am so down after todays hearing that this really helps feeling like I can do something! I will by my postcards tomorrow! Oh goody!
Comment by Sandi K — April 24, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Maudigan
I think it was last night when updating/adding to the recall story in *Keeping Them Honest*, he did mention how he is receiving emails on the subject daily. So he is paying attention.
now if everyone else would . . .
Comment by straybaby — April 24, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
I like the idea post card idea with the exception of Sen Durbin. I spent 25 years working for a state senator and this will increase the work in his office and he is our hero in this. For his cards I would suggest a thank you and please don’t take the time to respond. We need his time in fighting this not writing back to us, Just my thoughts.
Comment by Robin — April 24, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Comment by Robin:
“I like the idea post card idea with the exception of Sen Durbin. I spent 25 years working for a state senator and this will increase the work in his office and he is our hero in this”
I have to agree, we wouldn’t want to flood him with so much stuff, he begins to regret it. He has other commitments too and if something gets too time consuming, he might back out.
Comment by Gary — April 24, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
CSPAN is showing today’s hearing right now.
Comment by VJ — April 24, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
After this your never hear the news media saying “16” death’s ” OH Gina, Anderson Cooper 360 /CNN is out of CNN center in New York City.
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 24, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
Excellent idea!!!!!!!!! What about Menu?? Nice to see a rainbow after the hearing today.. what morons?????!!! I just wanted to jump through my computer screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about the other 2 companies??? Have they announced anything yet?
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 24, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Comment by Robin — April 24, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
I like the idea of sending him a thank you postcard. He needs to know that so many of us are supporting him in his own huge efforts. He needs warm fuzzies, the same as we all do. I think the encouragement will be helpful.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 24, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
I agree that Senator Durbin’s post card should be a thank you card for all the work he has done on our behalf.
Gina, can you add that note next to his address? Thank you so much!
Comment by Marilyn — April 24, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Dottie: I think that’s a lovely idea, to remember the animals in the feeding trial. Why not include them? After all, they gave their lives so others could live. Or, maybe I should say, their lives were given for them…
Comment by Marilyn — April 24, 2007 @ 7:27 pm
Marilyn - I agree about thanking Senator Durbin.
What a wonderful gesture!
Comment by Ally — April 24, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Can I send a picture of my two very sick cats? They are only shadows of their former selves and I am continuing with subcutaneous dialysis because I just can’t let them go.
I plan to put a healthy pic on one side and what they look like now - emaciated, on their haunches with head down, pitiful. One spends most of the day hiding in the back of the closet.
I would like to send one to China, but I don’t think they would even care.
Comment by Pat — April 24, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
CNN.com has an article now that is using new wording…
(quote)
The Food and Drug Administration says it will test ingredients imported for human consumption in connection with the recall of pet food that has killed at least 16 pets and perhaps more than 100.
(quote)
Maybe they are getting the idea, but they need to go still higher!
Comment by Marilyn — April 24, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
The CNN article is at http://tinyurl.com/27omlx
The FDA says they are going to be testing more ingredients…
(quote)
Wheat gluten, corn gluten, cornmeal, rice bran and rice protein are among the imported products being tested in both the animal and human food supply.
(end quote)
And they end with this comment abou the numbers…
(quote)
The FDA has officially tallied 16 animal deaths related to the pet food recall, but other organizations have put the estimate much higher.
(end quote)
Comment by Marilyn — April 24, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
Gina,i just sent u a e mail
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 24, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
This is a wonderful idea.
Comment by redmal — April 24, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
Thank you Gina!
Ben at Itchmo is on board and this will be front page tomorrow.
The whole 16 “official” deaths thing has been a knife in my heart everyday, several times a day for far too long, in all out hearts.
But this is not done yet, until those postcards are piling up and speaking the truth about this scandal, so please, spread the word as far as the net will take it!
Again, thank you, Gina, Ally, Marilyn, Maudigan, everyone.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 24, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
I disagree a little about not continuing to “hound” Sen Durbin. I do agree we should thank him because he has helped our pets more than anyone else so far in Congress… but his job is FAR from done. We still need him to sponsor legislation and then use his charm and knowledge of the issues to gather congressional votes from both side of the aisle to get the new laws passed. By sending him our “lost pet” postcards they can be used by him both as props with the press and also to pass out to other congresspeople to help personalize the legislation. Just my thoughts.
Comment by elizabeth R. — April 24, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
Speaking as a member of “THE MEDIA” (and many of us are pet people, believe you me…heck, most human spouses can’t stand our schedules! :) ) ….
Please, please, please keep it up. Many of us have been trying our da***dest for weeks to get our editors to let us cover this story, but no one wanted it because it was “about pets” - despite our protests that it was so much bigger. (It isn’t like you’d need to be a rocket scientist to see this coming!)
Tonight’s a bittersweet moment. We (and aforesaid editors) finally know we were right. But it would have been so much better to have been wrong, really. I wish we were.
To all the folks who say today’s hearings were useless - I promise you, they weren’t. Why do you think the FDA coughed up this info tonight? There’s no such thing as coincidence in DC.
Many of us reporters want to cover this more thoroughly, but our bosses, from national to local, have said it’s pet news and therefore less important than people news.
So, please help us change their minds. If you’re shocked, upset, angry about today’s news, if you want more coverage of it, please take one minute to drop an email to your favorite local paper or station. That kind of feedback helps editors decide assignments.
Just do it. And thanks in advance.
Comment by Laura — April 24, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
a link Menu Food’s CEO opening statement posted on Spocko’s Brain.
Comment by spocko — April 24, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
RE: Comment by Laura — April 24, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
I go after my local stations; national networks, for not covering (or minimally covering) the pet food recall, several times a week.
Here is one of the latest to WOAI, San Antonio:
(this is after weeks of asking them for coverage)
HELLO ! ?? !
Anyone home??? Do you know there is a HUGE PET FOOD RECALL?? I can send you some very important links, if you haven’t heard. You just manage to skip right over it — while people’s loving pets are DYING!
Did you hear about the Senate Appropriations hearing today??
Do you know that S. Africa has a pet food recall?
Do you know that some retail stores STILL have the tainted food on the shelves????
Do you realize, that by NOT BEING OUT-FRONT — MENTIONING EVERY NIGHT — that people don’t think it’s any big deal?
Do you know there are MORE than the 16 pet deaths the FDA is reporting, nationwide??
Do you know there has been TWO intentional rat poisonings in China in a 7 day period??
Do you know there are other chemicals in & around the melamine that have not been identified?
Do you know there’s going to be additional items listed soon?
Stop with the fluff! Get some MEAT in your news — PLEASE!
It is not over! It is not trivial!
Katrinka Lawson
Comment by Kat — April 24, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
This website is broken :(
Comment by Kat — April 24, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Hi!
Post Cards can be sent online directly through the USPS. It is easy to do and you can upload your pictures to be on the card.
http://www.usps.com/netpost/se.....siness.htm
Comment by Keryat — April 24, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Shame on the Editors!
Comment by Barb — April 24, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
I have not lost any of my pets but I will send a thank you postcard to Senator Durbin.
Comment by Andrea — April 24, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
my postcards will be in the mail!
Comment by Marcy — April 24, 2007 @ 10:50 pm
Eagle Pass, TX & Piedras Niegras, MX areas have been hit by a tornado tonight.
6 dead, elem school demolished, trailer park hit, houses flatened, power lines down, 80 people taken to hospitals. 1000’s of people displaced. 60+ mph winds & tennis ball sized hail.
Bad weather moving in here in just a few minutes. I don’t sleep when we have storms, esp. strong ones.
here it comes…..
Comment by Kat — April 24, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
a Menu CEO opening statement from Hearings, posted on Spocko’s Brain.
Here is the tinyurl for the link to the Menu CEO’s opening statement. I’ll post more later.
http://tinyurl.com/yora59
Comment by spocko — April 24, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
Here is the URL for the video of the Menu CEO from today’s hearing
http://tinyurl.com/yora59
Ask yourself, what isn’t he saying? And we could compare his time line to ours over at Ichmo.
Comment by spocko — April 24, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
I was just thinking our writing to companies and corporations and the White House won’t have much effect unless we coordinate it like our current “My Pet Counts Post Card Blitz”
Receiving mail willy-nilly will just be blown off, but choosing a company/corporation one at a time could have a huge impact.
We need MAXIMUM IMPACT.
Comment by Kathi — April 25, 2007 @ 12:16 am
Hey, if you want to send cards for the sick pets then fine by me. This whole postcard blitz is to end the 16 “official” dead and come to think of it, no one hardly mentions the sick pets either.
So, I say go for it and while you are at it throw in a sentence about how much money you have spent on vet bills and pet food you don’t dare use!
We need the TRUTH of how bad this tragedy really is for us and our pets.
The main thing is to reach every single pet parent you can find who has a sick or dead pet!
Every one you can find, even off the net, print out the Postcard Blitz info and carry it with you everywhere, talk to people in grocery store lines, talk to people you see walking their dogs, none of us looks so nutty now,LOL, speak up!
Just this few days of doing our best can make such a huge difference.
Don’t forget to support the KOPS march and come Saturday night, I want all of us to get some sleep, knowing we have done something to be proud of.
Of course, Gina and Itchmo, and Howl911 and others have been working hard all along, and none of this could happen without them.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 25, 2007 @ 12:37 am
Sen Durbin’s websit is organizing an email campaign to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. All you have to do is go to his site and forward the email. (thanks itchmo)
http://tinyurl.com/ywhk6w
Comment by Sandy C — April 25, 2007 @ 3:47 am
Comment by Kat — April 24, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
Re storms: Are you okay?
Comment by Nadine Long — April 25, 2007 @ 4:06 am
I haven’t had any pets affected by the toxic foods but *if it won’t distract from the message* I could send postcards too. Maybe urging faster action and better protocols from the govt and additional media coverage from AC360?
Comment by slt — April 25, 2007 @ 5:05 am
Thanks Sandy C.and itchmo for getting to that front door of the FDA. I forwarded that message to the Commissioner though Sentator Durbin’s website. It was real easy. Wonder how many the Commisioner will be getting today?
~trumpets blare in the background, the sound of running paws thunder across the tundra~
“CHARGE!!!!”
Comment by Maudigan — April 25, 2007 @ 5:13 am
Thanks Sandy C and Itchmo. You found the front door of the FDA. That was real easy to do. Wonder how many he will get by the end of the day.
~trumpets blaring in the back ground, the sound of thundering paws vibrates across the tundra~
“Charge!!!!”
Comment by Maudigan — April 25, 2007 @ 5:16 am
I have had a dog sickened by the recalled food. It was not the usual kidney failure but she developed pancreatitis and had to be on IV fluids for 3 days. Who knows for sure if it had to do with the recall, but she certainly became ill after eating it. For a couple of months, she would hardly eat anything. two weeks before the recall, Iams Beef with Vegtables and gravy was marked down considerably, so I bought it. She barely ate it, but did have 3 cans in a two week period, then got pancreatitis. The food was marked down, I am convinced because they knew it was tainted and about to be recalled. I will never touch another product by the makers of Iams.
$800.00 later, I think Carly is on the mend. She was eating Iams in the pouches that were also recalled, and she has had a very poor appetite since December. She is now on Innova, whom I trust, and is eating like a little pig and loving it. Shame on the makers of this food and on the FDA for not having stricter regulations. I pray for those who have lost their beloved pets.
Comment by Betty white — April 25, 2007 @ 5:30 am
The statements implying a small magnitude of pet death in the ongoing recall scandal have been such an ongoing concern and irritation to all of us who know better. The “16 official deaths related to the recall” and “at least 16” pet deaths statements that have been repeated and repeated and repeated in the media are not an accident, or stupidity, nor is it technically untrue (as I will explain in a minute). But it IS a highly misleading number, it IS an intentional misrepresentation of the truth, and it IS successful PR spin of the highest order that has served to keep the news of the recall and the true magnitude of pet illness off the front pages for weeks.
The 16 famous dead animals were, in fact, the 16 who died horrible and fast deaths in the Menu Foods lab in early March. This was a controlled scientific experiment conducted with probably caged animals who were only fed amounts of food that Menu suspected or already knew was tainted. So, this “16” number is indeed “official”: i.e, the deaths occurred under controlled conditions with no outside intervening scientific, environmental, or circumstantial factors. IT HAD TO BE THE FOOD. It is “official”. It is a number that will never change. It is therefore technically a true statement.
For the rest of us who know full well what killed and sickened our furry friends we do not have this “official” imprimatur. Nor can veterinarians, who have treated renal patients in such greater numbers recently, claim scientifically “official” numbers. But we DO have common sense on our side and this is what we will so effectively use with the dead pet postcard blitz. If 16 out of 40-some animals died in a controlled experiment then an extrapolation of that percentage over the hundreds of thousands of animals who ate the poisoned food in the weeks immediately preceding and after the recall HAVE to be in the thousands. There is just no other logical conclusion that can be drawn. The postcards will demonstrate that. They will put real animal faces to the abstract numbers. Thanks to those who came up with the brilliant idea for a postcard blitz as well as all those participating and helping to get the word out and publicize it. If we can just change the dialogue enough to see “16 official lab animals died but pet deaths suspected in the thousands” each time the story is printed or aired it will be a huge step forward.
Comment by elizabeth R. — April 25, 2007 @ 5:30 am
I’m going to send a postcard saying,
“We The People” want to see some prison sentences for these culprits.
Comment by Steve — April 25, 2007 @ 5:52 am
I dont suppose anyone has those addresses for Menu Foods and Chem Nutra? I want to send postcards to them. I will be very polite and brief but I want them to get something that represents my dead kitty. I would even like to send some to those China addresses of the 2 manufacturers….
Comment by Sandi K — April 25, 2007 @ 6:05 am
I think those of us who had sick pets should participate in the postcard blitz also — my cat is okay, but we had terrible vet bills and I’m still scared about what to feed both the cat and the dog.
Economic impact is something corporations understand — if those of us with pets that got sick add to the blitz, it will really show some serious numbers.
Comment by Dorene — April 25, 2007 @ 6:06 am
Think about it.
AMERICANS ELIGIBLE TO SUE MENU FOODS IN CANADA 04/24/07
Karen sent us an email to urge pet parents affected by the Menu Foods recall to consider filing their lawsuits in the Canadian courts:
On April 24, 2007, Karen wrote: If Americans sue Menu Foods in its headquartered Canadian province of Ontario they may get damages for emotional trauma. While most US states only view pets as property Ontario law recognizes them as valuable companions. If people go to our site at Petitionz.org there is a link to the lawyer’s site with detailed information about the class action lawsuit.
Pet Food Lawsuit
Falconer Charney LLP has filed class action lawsuits in Toronto against Menu Foods Inc. and nationwide producers and distributors of potentially contaminated pet food listed on the Menu Foods recall list, including Loblaws, Sobeys, Iams, Nutro and Wal-Mart. It is anticipated that additional producers and distributors will be added to the lawsuits in the near future.
The proceedings commenced by Falconer Charney LLP represent the only proceedings to date in Canada to include not only Menu Foods, but the distributors and producers of the pet food products. Falconer Charney LLP is of the opinion that companies who market and sell pet food products under their own brand name are equally responsible for the product’s safety and should be included in the class action.
Falconer Charney LLP is representing pet owners who wish to recover compensation and help prevent contaminated ingredients and poison from entering the pet food chain. Some of the compensation which could be available to pet owners includes payment of veterinary bills, travel expenses to and from the vet, time missed from work, the cost of purchasing pedigree pets and compensation for anxiety, stress and emotional distress.
Pet owners will not be personally charged any legal fees for participating in this class action. If the case is successful, legal fees will be paid by the defendants and from a portion of the compensation funds recovered on behalf of the class.
Comment by Steve — April 25, 2007 @ 6:16 am
I have been trying to post since yesterday - computer bug.. Kudos to the person that came up with this!!! There needs to be an address to Menu Foods - their Canada plant and New Jersey plant ( by the way, the New Jersey plant started running AGAIN this week!!!!
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 25, 2007 @ 6:19 am
I just posted this at Itchmo…..maybe I’m a space case, whatever….but it’s food for thought:
As I was sitting here reading all these posts, someone mentioned something about muscle mass…..& something hit me full force.
Has anyone seen an animal with mad cow? How their body freezes up & they fall over? Anyone read any postings about how some of these cats & dogs were reacting once they had eaten enough poisoned food & were very ill? Their body was freezing up & they would sometimes fall over. Hello? How about some connection to large doses of melamine or whatever the poison is that melamine causes during the cooking of these “foods” (boy, do I use that term loosely….more like cooking up poison) & it just crossed over into pet food? I know it’s a huge jump but I’m sorry, I think there could be a connection here. I’m no scientist or chemist but I think it’s mighty freaky that both cows & our pets have the same symptoms……do we have “mad pet disease” or how about “symptoms of melamine poisoning”?????????
How scary is that?
Someone mentioned something about FF & soy protein…..I believe I’ve read about cats getting sick from FF……do we now have a soy protein problem? Gee, what a surprise…..
Comment by Jan — April 25, 2007 @ 6:21 am
LISTEN UP!!
We will go after menu foods and some others later, for now, for TODAY what we can do is change those farking “official” 16 dead numbers.
We have to FOCUS on that ONE thing.
These postcards need to go out and speak for the victims, THE ACTUAL VICTIM NUMBER.
That is what we are doing.
If your pet was sickened, fine, send a set of the cards, and PLEASE put a line in about how much this has cost you in vet bills. If your pet died, let us get that COUNTED.
PLEASE, you will not help ANYBODY if you muddy the waters.
If you want to support the effort then sign the online email from Senator Durbins office, but if you dilute this effort by sending cards that are not about an actual sick or dead pet then you are hurting this plan.
Next week we will work on other plans.
REPEAT, only send a set of postcards if you have a pet or pets who have been hurt by this disaster.
Please.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 25, 2007 @ 6:38 am
I think it’s okay to send postcards about our ill animals too - anytime we want or on the appointed day. Yesterday I noticed on MSNBC they had a man holding up a photo of his cat before it died of kidney failure. He looked very disgrunteld.
Comment by Sara J. — April 25, 2007 @ 6:40 am
If people with sick pets want to join the blitz, it’s ok with me! Go for it!
Comment by Marilyn — April 25, 2007 @ 6:41 am
I have a difficult time refreshing.
Comment by Sara J. — April 25, 2007 @ 6:58 am
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 25, 2007 @ 6:38 am
OK sounds good! I will buy my postcards today and send them to those only on the list, thank you and I hope I didnt mess things up. And thank you for starting this postcard drive. It helps with our sadness at having something to do that could make a difference in the name of our kitty.
Comment by Sandi K — April 25, 2007 @ 7:02 am
ONE MORE TIME,
Yes, if your cats were made sick by this poison, please send a set of cards. One set of cards to the people listed.
We WANT you to send a set of cards if your pets have suffered from this, or died.
If you want to just send mail to anyone in the world, well, have it! For any reason at all, who is stopping you? If your pets are sick or dead and you don’t care if they get included in the blitz, why should we? If the 16 “official” deaths does not bother you then we all admire your calm.Mail tomorrow, mail to Santa Claus, go wild and send risque french postcards to Martha Stewart.
Whatever.
But if you want your sick or dead pets to be counted in this blitz then follow the directions, please.
The postcards being mailed on the same day, with only the dead or sickened pets is what we are planning.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 25, 2007 @ 7:19 am
How come so many people sound angry about this? My pet is sick and probably won’t last much longer and we are very upset. My little girl holds her kitty and cries. She is sending in a post card too.
Comment by Lisa M — April 25, 2007 @ 8:51 am
Lisa M
Hon, I’m so sorry you and your little girl and kitty are going through this. Everyone who posts here has been affected by this. We are all angry and upset and hurt. And even angrier that it takes so long to be acknowleged and get any real action. Or just a response.
I guess because we have such an affinity to our animal babies, that we, too, behave like wounded animals and snap at anything.
We’re all just trying to work this out and get something accomplished. Even if we don’t agree or even if we have a different idea or opinion, the bottom line is we are all in the same boat and want an end result: Keep our babies safe and healthy.
Comment by Kathi — April 25, 2007 @ 9:19 am
One reason the “official number” remains at 16 is because the media has dropped this story. Folks need to send post cards to the news media as well.
Can someone pick three addresses in the media and post contact point here? We need the media back on this story. They aren’t covering it because pet food companies buy advertising on the networks.
Comment by Larry — April 25, 2007 @ 9:32 am
The pet food poisoning problem has lost public attention. Focus has been lost and the toxic stuff.
Comment by Old Fart — April 25, 2007 @ 9:42 am
Larry, the media contact is in the main blog at the syart of this thread.
Comment by Margaret Bridge — April 25, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Help, having the same problem as sandi schreiber, both refreshing and posting. I also lost that link somewhere to Senator Durbin to e-mail from his site to the FDA Commisioner. I got a e-mail back, we are working on it in a nut shell and all the links to the FDA site which I have read and reread.
Comment by Maudigan — April 25, 2007 @ 10:07 am
I’m havign problems too Maudigan. And you’re right, it appears the link to Sen Durbin’s email campaign has vanished. Here is is again:
http://tinyurl.com/ywhk6w
For those that weren’t aware, Sen Durbin is holding an email campaign to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. All you have to do is follow the link and forward the email. It’s simple!
Comment by Sandy C — April 25, 2007 @ 10:17 am
I understand that people are stressed. When I was looking for information with my daughter and we were trying to figure out if we could send a postcard in for little Bitty too, some of the comments seemed like we were being yelled at and then I wondered if we should join in. Bitty is going downhill and to make things worse my daughter always fed her cat. We both feel terrible but she is heartbroken. I don’t know how we’re going to make it through all of this, I really don’t. But thank you for letting us join in too. We are putting a red cross next to Bitty’s picture on the postcard she probably will be gone by the time they all arrive.
Comment by Lisa M — April 25, 2007 @ 10:28 am
Well duh! I can see the original message now. So sorry..I’m not tryin to spam the link!
Comment by Sandy C — April 25, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Comment by Lisa M — April 25, 2007 @ 10:28 am
Lisa, I dont think anyone is meaning to make it sound like you are being yelled at. I think its just trying to get the info across to concentrate on this one effort first and then other efforts will also take place at a later date against other companies.
I am so sorry for your Bitty and your heartbroken daughter. We lost our kitty on March 11th and it is still so hard to this day. Right now I still cant look at her picture, its like a knife going thru my heart. I take it out and look it for a few seconds every day but have to put it away for now. That will change later Im sure. I cant imagine how upsetting it is for your little daughter, its harder for them to understand at a young age. Its even hard for me to understand and Im 48! I dont know if it would help your daughter to know that she is not alone in being sad for her pet? Sometimes it can help to know she isnt alone and that we are all doing what we can to stop this from happening to other pets in the future. If you & she can send your pstcards in memory of Bitty, it can help in the knowledge that she is doing something in Bitty’s name. Tell your daughter there are alot of people here fighting to get answers and to stop these people from ever doing this again. My best wishes to you and your daughter during your very diffult time.
Comment by Sandi K — April 25, 2007 @ 10:48 am
My heart goes out to you all. My three kitties are healthy so far. What a great idea - to get your numbers to count. I did send the email from Senator Durbin’s web page.
Comment by Jenny — April 25, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Gina keep having trouble with my comments. See my initial in right hand column yet when I look for the comment(s) can’t find them. Have posted several in More Hogs….Chickens. Is the system just slow??
Comment by VJ — April 25, 2007 @ 11:59 am
I apologize if it seemed I was yelling.
That was not my intent.My intent was for those debating a done deal to read and understand.
We have worked on this for a while and have posted several times that sick pets are welcome to be counted. More than welcome.
I am tired, we are all very tired and this MUST be done. And it must be done now.
Those who have worked on this are happy to have all pets who were sickened or killed in this poisoning join us. Please.
Debate about HOW we are doing this is not so welcome. The debate is over, this is how we are doing it, join us or do not.
We are all posting this to sites all over the net and emailing and getting permissions to post and printing handouts and we are in a desperate race to get it done.
Please help us , send your postcards, get your pets to count. Or do not, your choice.
This ONE thing, for ALL the victims, we can do, we ARE doing and we are working against the clock.
If anyone has hurt feelings then I invite you do a statistical on the effect we are already having on that hateful phrase ,
16 “official “deaths.
We are slaying that dragon and somehow I do not think the dead and dying pets will care how polite we were when we did it.
The pet food companies sold you poison, and repeated the 16 “official” deaths until it made the dead and sick pets seem like nothing much.
We are giving them a voice, think about it.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 25, 2007 @ 11:59 am
There was a news report CNN by Richard Davis and Katy Byron found it online
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH.....index.html
Thousands of pets by some estimates. The FDA offically tallied 16 deaths related to the wheat gluten, but other organizations have put the death toll in the thousands.
We got our numbers out there (whoever those organizations are), someone is watching and if you are thank you and keep it up. Huge Scoop!!!!
Comment by Maudigan — April 25, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
This is such a great idea. I hope it makes a huge difference. I am doing a report for my ecology class on the pet food recall. Count me in I want my Tommy to count.
Comment by Tina — April 25, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
I am planning on making stickers at stickerjunkie.com and putting them all over my car and anyone elses car that will let me. I am trying to decide what best to write to grab peoples attention and get them to open their eyes.
Comment by BW — April 25, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
I will send out postcards for the “original” victims ~ the animals in Menu Foods testing. If anyone else wants to join me, let me know and I will divide up the animals with you. They need to be remembered, too. I will also send cards for my CJ, who is thankfully recovering from ARF last November.
Comment by dottie — April 25, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
I will be sending out postcards in memory of the 16 dogs and cats who were the MF test subjects. If anyone wants to join me in that, leave a message here and I will adjust accordingly.
Comment by dottie — April 25, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
I think the postcards should be just for the pets that have died.
Comment by Sara — April 25, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Thanks for the reassurances. We are sending in our postcard with Bitty’s picture on it and the link above was great to do it on line too. Keep up the good work E. Hamilton and others.
Comment by Lisa M — April 25, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
I haven’t lost a pet to this recall. I wanted to share in spreading the word about this in support of all of you who have. Living or dead, our pets can’t speak for themselves, so it’s up to us. I plan on sending a thank-you card to Senator Durbin for all his hard work trying to get this situation openly discussed and resolved.
Comment by Ally — April 25, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
Hi All Beleaguered Pet Parents,
I hope this is the appropriate thread for this but I trust that it will find it’s way to the correct thread thanks to the awesomely wonderful team of Gina, Christie and Dr. Marty!
I previously posted that I had written to all major networks, my local stations, Oprah and Ellen and several TV news magazines. I didn’t expect much but I still had to try, as all of you know well, we can’t leave any stone unturned to dig out these money-worshipping dregs of the earth, who don’t care too much about our furrie babies, much less the ones who buy their food.
They think we will forget, as we do with so much, it fades from the news and we become complacent again. From what I’m reading here, WE will not forget this betrayal of our trust. Kudos to all of you, you done good, guys!
Anyway, I just finished watching “Oprah”, a pet program where she devoted 45 secs to the Recalll and had Dr. Goldstein, an Holistic Vet, to explain what is “going on”. I wonder does Ms. Winfrey think this is sufficient??????
BTW, This Vet had a chart of recommended foods which stated “premium canned food” or premium dry food is OK. No mention of brands to avoid or referring anyone to a recall list! This Vet also stated that at first they said “rat poison” then “melamine” and mentioned the crystals found in the kidneys but didn’t expound on it at all. What a Vet! He won’t be seeing any of my pets!!!!!. And before you say, he only had 45 secs——What would you say in those 45secs? We all know the answer to that one!
I had fired off to her Producers, an e-mail after a week of no mention on her show stating that I was disappointed that she devoted 2 shows, (on short notice), to that idiot Imus’ comments but couldn’t put together a show on this massive poisioning of our cats and dogs foods.
I thought she was an animal lover? Has she too been duped by the low #’s and 30 sec. blurbs on TV.?
Todays show was very disappointing, Ms,. Winfrey had the chance, the platform, and the trust of her viewers, and she decided to sidestep the important issues.
What more can be done? This is incredibly frustrating, does no one have the b***s to shout this out? Sorry, I know you all feel the same way.
I feel so bad for all the little ones who have died or are gravely ill because of this never-ending nightmare of CYA and their cavalier attitude towards us and our dependants!
Keep up the good fight! The going is so slow but we can’t stop now!
Thank you for listening to my rants. Bless you all. And Steve, thank you for your tireless research and, for your wit. You and many others have been a source of hope and the much needed giggle on this never ending roller coaster we are all being taken for a ride on!
Priscilla
Comment by Priscilla Patterson — April 25, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
Sent out Priority mail,signature(Pink Slip),at the post office today to:Anderson Cooper(CNN),Ms.Larken of the FDA,Mrs Laura Bush(First Lady),Give her something to do,I am sure she’s feeding her Dog’ Alpo still,and faxed to Senator Durbin.All were sent an Large Photo of our Deceased Dog Mitten’s Puppy Picture,Her Cremation Certificate(1/24/07),Our pet counts cover page,along with the http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Pet-Food.html “How Pet Food is made-Background,Raw Materials,The manufacturin,..Page 1 of 6.Raw materials should get their attention.I also dropped this off to my dog’s Vet.,and our Local Newspaper Editor! Thanks to a Blog last night on Pet connection about that “made how ” site.
I also just received feedback from our”House of Representative ,Mr. Siptroth in Pa. He’ll be receiving Dr. Fox’s Report(4/5/07),along with “How Pet food is made,..For his Constituents.Spoke to Nestle- Purina last week,” Renal Failure is a Common Death in Pets,”,she exclaimed! ” Not for a 5 year old terrier , whose owner wrote to you on 3/15/07,and to http://www.petconnection.com,I stated.,….Mitten’s Died from Alpo prime cuts,”Strict Liability Vs. The Food Conglomerate Nestle, who were Absent again from those hearings,…
Comment by joe Romano — April 25, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
I am going to say…”dear…..”
I almost died from recalled pet food. Look at my face, my life was almost extinguished because of greed. Let my suffering count for something. Please stop dishonoring the +4000 dead cats and dogs and who know how many sick pets by continuing to repeat that 16 documented deaths have occurred. The 16 dead animals were killed by Menu Foods with their own poison foods. Please let their deaths count for something. Start referring to the numbers of dead and sick pets and “possibly thousands” Please make the horrible deaths of those 16 pets in the lab count. Please let everyone know the real extent of the damage.
Comment by Joyce — April 25, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
just remember this when sending these post cards…unless you send with them documentation stating actual cause of death and that it was from tainted food, they will fall on def ears. cause the media works with facts
Comment by mark — April 25, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
Dig your heels in everyone. It’s going to be a rough, tough long war.
Comment by VJ — April 25, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Are We also sending a postcard to the President? Has He even mentioned this at all? Trudy
Comment by Trudy Jackson — April 25, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
The post card blitz is the best idea yet. Great going and its own thread too. I hope thousands and thousands of cards pile up and the numbers change and CNN covers it too!
Comment by Izzy — April 25, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
Does anyone have any thoughts on Paul Newman’s Pet Food?http://www.newmansownorganics.com/pet/home/
My cats hate the homemade stuff I am making and I can only feed them so much canned Mackerel. They prefer to eat dry throughout the day.
Comment by Keryat — April 25, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
Trudy Jackson: The White House address is on the list.
Comment by Marilyn — April 25, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
The itchmo forum is great and it looks like the media will cover the postcard blitz too - be super if they interview you E. Hamilton and Gina too - your postcard idea rocks.
Comment by Issy — April 25, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
Folks, be sure to check out consumeraffairs.com. They have tons of information about the recalls. Follow the links. They even mention us here at petconnection.com. One of the reporters, Lisa McCormick, is one that has been in contact with me about this postcard blitz. She hasn’t mentioned it yet in her reporting but I hope she will. She did a really great piece on the KOPS march coming up this Saturday. The title of the piece is Pet Owners Organize to Put Congress on a Short Leash http://tinyurl.com/2ep3r5
Comment by Marilyn — April 25, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
I heard Oprah touted only 16 pet deaths on her show yesterday. I think she should get our postcards too to prove that there are more than 16. We have her attention, we need to let her know that there have been MANY more than 16 deaths and we could do that with postcards. What do you all think?
Comment by Ann Jackson — April 26, 2007 @ 4:05 am
I was wondering how people are putting pictures of their pets on their postcards? For me being very computer-challenged, I would love to do that but I dont know how, any ideas? I would like to thank E Hamilton and everyone for bringing this together for the rest of us, it really means alot to folks like me. And again thank you to Christie and Gina for allowing this to be a category on its own. Lets get those postcards ready everyone! Charge!!!!!
Comment by Sandi K — April 26, 2007 @ 6:58 am
Itchmo has a very nice explaination of how to put your pets picture on a postcard.
http://howl911.com/petfoodreca....._blitz.htm
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 26, 2007 @ 9:31 am
I’ll second the motion for Oprah getting postcards too - just to let her know we’re watching. She thinks without sponsers she’s washed up, but really without her audience she’s in big trouble.
Comment by Issy — April 26, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Issy, we would love to use your idea . Please go get the address for the Oprah show and bring it over itchmo forum , the link for that is at the top of this section you just posted in, the postcard blitz section, and we will do something next week so maybe we will put Oprah at the top of the list.
Go get that address please and then you can help us work on the wording of the postcard.
We need more than good ideas here, we need action , and the word about this postcard blitz needs to get out because the cards are to be mailed in TWO days.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 26, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Those TWO days are a’comin’ fast folks!
PLEASE - if you haven’t done so already, spread the word about the post card blitz link here and the Itchmo forum link to any pet parent friends, pet email lists, your vet, other well read pet food recall blogs - anyone you can think of. This campaign will only work if the PTB receive post cards en masse. The same will apply once Stage 2: the stuffed animals campaign, gets implemented.
It only takes a few minutes to cc friends and pet email lists with these links. Help spread the word so our pet’s voices can be heard AND to ensure not ONE pet’s death has been in vain.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped thus far.
All of you ROCK!
Comment by Ally — April 26, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Getting Oprah on this story is perfect. She has dogs and loves animals! Great idea! I hope she exposes all those who killed pets for the almighty dollar.
Comment by Falcon K — April 26, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Please, do not send a postcard to Oprah until this is organized for next week.
Or heck, if you want to do something that will have NO impact whatsoever then go right ahead.
For this one thing we are doing
for what is happening IN TWO DAYS
we need everyone, yes, YOU,
to please focus, for 15 minutes
if that is all you can devote to this
then that will be fine,
please go post the notice
of the blitz
that is happening in two days
post it to newsgroups
if they allow that
send to your friends to post
and when this postcard blitz
has succeeded, we want
your ideas at itchmo forums
link is right up on top of this
section you are reading.
please, for today , for this thing that we all want, don’t make our work go for nothing by diluting our efforts.
I am trying to be nice about this, two or twenty postcards just will not work to get anything done.
Helping us get this set some publicity will work.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 26, 2007 @ 11:06 am
I went to the itchmo forum and read everything and I also sent the information to several of my friends who have connections with animal rescue and websites across the United States. Hope it helps.
Comment by Issy — April 26, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
thank you e. hamilton and all others for your dedication and passion.
this idea is beautiful.
i understand the importance of focusing on this one act, following it just as you have planned.
this is necessary.
we are sending a message with impact that says, “you can’t ignore us now!” because you and many others are receiving all of these thousands of postcards on (or close to) the same day!
i also want to say, after reading thru these posts and so many other posts on itchmo’s forum and thepetfoodlist.com forum, for so many weeks now… i’ve noticed something very sweet… i am so impressed by us, companions and caretakers of animals… through intense emotions, misunderstandings, hurt, anger, tragic grief… we consistently express respect and kindness to each other.
i genuinely believe there is something special and loving about an animal-lover’s heart that has brought us all together thru these devastating times.
i have (to have) faith that we have begun and will continue to have a powerful, durable impact. …. changes are a-comin’!
maria
Comment by maria — April 27, 2007 @ 4:12 am
This is a great idea! My pets ate the recalled food, but are ok after testing. Should I still send the cards just stating that they were affected by the food?
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Thank you for all that you have done!
Comment by Connie — May 3, 2007 @ 8:51 pm