Pet-food recall: Does your pet count? Get some postcards!
By Gina Spadafori
April 27, 2007
- If you have a sick pet or a question on your pet’s health, call your veterinarian.
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page (includes information on recalled foods).
- If you want to report a sick or deceased pet, click here.
What the FDA said in yesterday’s media briefing — about not expecting any further recalls even though one was called during the media briefing and four more immediately after — should provide ample context for how best to evaluate the FDA’s latest report of how many pets have been killed by the tainted pet-food.
They’ve up it to 17 or 18 . Or “high teens,” as they also said. They were asked twice. The first time they didn’t answer, and the second time they just as well might not have. From the transcript:
REPORTER: Thank you. Jim Kirshner with WDIV-TV in Detroit. I think this was asked earlier, and I may have missed the answer or it didn’t get answered. Do you have a total number of pets either killed or sustaining some sort of injury from the pet food contamination? What figures do you have confirmed at this point?
DR. MCCHESNEY: This is Dan McChesney from FDA. What I previously said I believe in response to the Washington Post question was that it’s in the high teens, maybe 17 or 18 that we have confirmed. But again that’s not our focus. Our focus is to remove product that was contaminated, contained either wheat gluten or rice concentrate from commerce so we don’t involve other animals or get it into other parts of the supply system.
REPORTER: At some point will you make a count, take a count, of the number of dogs, cats involved?
DR. MCCHESNEY: I don’t know. We’ve had multiple, many thousand calls from consumers, and we are looking at that, but I’m not sure we will ever come up with a final number here. It’s just, I just don’t think we can ever get there.
Let’s help them.
Over on Itchmo, they’re organizing a postcard drive, asking people to send postcards — and only postcards, because of security issues — to a list of people, including the FDA’s ombudsman.
They’re all to be sent out tomorrow. Here’s the link to information on what to do and where to send those postcards. Nikki over on Howl911 will send them for you, if you like, for a small donation. Here’s the info. She also has a free template and directions for how to put your pet’s image on a postcard.
Pets Need a Voice, Too is organizing demonstrations around the country for tomorrow. Here’s a link to that information.
On a lighter note, one of the organizers of the drive has issued her own tongue-in-cheek press release, in which she announces a recall of the FDA.:
For Immediate Press Release
The entire staff of the FDA has been recalled. This includes all dates of issue and is a purely precautionary measure.
Only a few hundred heads have exploded during media events held by the FDA and it is important to note that less than 1% of the American population is affected by this recall. Only 16 of the people whose heads exploded are considered “officially” deceased and the total number of those killed by brain explosion may never be known. Mostly because we are not going to count them.
Amnesty International has provided proof that allowing the FDA to continue making media releases constitutes torture of a nature that violates the rules of the space time continuum and could result in early heat death of the universe.
Tests are ongoing to confirm this but results are not in yet, everyone forced to choose between listening to FDA media releases or hop naked into a barrel of rattlesnakes has chosen the snakes.
The executives of the FDA will be replaced by the 2007 graduating class of Mrs. Dingleberrys’
School for “Special” Children,most of whom can tie their own shoes and count to almost 12, thus assuring that the high academic standards required of the FDA will be improved by a factor of several hundred percent.No further recalls are expected at this time.
Experienced FEMA staff is being used during the transition and the situation is going almost as smoothly as the evacuation of New Orleans. The American public can rest assured that the food on store shelves is just as safe as it was before the recall, possibly safer.
The first recall was called six weeks ago today. How time flies when you’re not having any fun. And here’s one last little thing to chew on:
WESTBROOK, Maine (AP) — Veterinary and food products maker Idexx Laboratories Inc. said Friday that first-quarter earnings rose 15.1 percent in part because of a nationwide pet-food recall.
I’m sure the folks at Idexx are finding themselves in a less than celebratory mood over the report, given the circumstances.
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Gina,
I’m confused why FDA will not accept data that petconnection.com has compiled regarding pet deaths and illnesses. If they do not want to track the info - fine. Obviously, if you only give a few deaths it does not seem as critical an issue. How can we get that info out to the public?
Comment by Donna — April 27, 2007 @ 7:28 am
Hopefully, the postcard blitz will give them a more accurate number. That doesn’t mean they will change their statements to the public…..they know there are more than 16 just from the calls they’ve gotten. They are covering up the real story so it won’t get any press….& it’s working. I feel sorry for those who don’t have the internet & are not aware of pet connection & itchmo. Not one of these recalls has been made public….or if any of them were, I never heard about them. Not a word on the news or in the paper…..scary.
I wonder how many more are going to be recalled today? How many people are feeding their animals poison & have no clue?
I’m a member of Costco & I’ve never had any problems with anything I’ve bought there but I certainly have a problem with their recall time-line. They found out last Fri & we found out the following Thu…..now that bothers me. I do think I read that they pulled the cans off the shelves Fri night but what about people who bought that prior to Fri & were happily feeding their dogs that food?
I know this is like beating a dead horse (excuse that gross expression) but I think the worst part of this is that manufacturers of pet food seem to be taking it upon themselves to change ingredients without telling anyone. So reading labels is a big joke. Makes it even worse of a crap shoot when you choose a food for your pet. This is beyond disgusting, I think there must be laws broken here….but we have such weak lily-livered representatives of our gov’t (who protect big business anyway), that nobody will get fined or see the inside of a prison cell….very sad.
Comment by JanC — April 27, 2007 @ 7:37 am
Gina - thanks again for all your help in making available the info for the post card blitz. You be one cool lady & are greatly appreciated! :)
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Sorry…..but I meant to thank those of you here at pet connection & also those at itchmo…..I can’t imagine where we would be without all of you. You are all pretty special….the only sunshine in this whole gloomy affair.
Comment by JanC — April 27, 2007 @ 7:42 am
My postcards are waiting………. HOPEFULLY somebody will report the TRUE NUMBERS!!!!
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 27, 2007 @ 7:50 am
It would be nice if they would at least provide some of the estimates mentioned by otheres - including petconnection. At least admit it could be in the thousands.
Even the media reporting is awful. I listened to my local news, Fox News, CNN, and several other stations during a 50 minute period this morning. The only thing I heard about the pet food recall was that some hogs had been contaminated but the risk to humans was extremely low. Nothing at all about the 6 recalls last night, the non-answers from the FDA, etc. They report the FDA stuff as if it is fact. The only decent reporting I have heard has been from CNN.
For those of you that lost a pet, please do send out those postcards. Make your pets count!
Comment by Jenny — April 27, 2007 @ 7:57 am
My postcards are all ready. I am so appalled at the FDA. My specialty internal medicine vet contacted them personally weeks ago, and I have been contacted by no less than 3 agents. Then why doesn’t my dogs sickness count?
So, when do we start our postcard blitz of the really bad guys, ie Menu etc?
Comment by Joyce — April 27, 2007 @ 7:58 am
Don’t shy away from joining a class action friends.
Plaintiff: Rozman
Defendant: Menu Foods Midwest Corporation, Menu Foods Income Fund, Menu Foods Limited, Menu Foods Inc., Menu Foods Holdings, Inc., Nutro Products, Inc., Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc., ChemNutra, Inc., John Does 1 through 100 and PETsMART, Inc.
Case Number: 0:2007cv01808
Filed: April 9, 2007
Court: Minnesota District Court
Office: DMN Office [ Court Info ]
County: Hennepin
Presiding Judge: Ann D. Montgomery
Referring Judge: Arthur J. Boylan
Nature of Suit: Torts - Injury - Other Personal Injury
Cause: 28:1332 Diversity-Personal Injury
Jurisdiction: Diversity
Jury Demanded By: Plaintiff
Comment by Steve — April 27, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Not sure if this USAToday article has already been posted here…
“FDA raids company that imported tainted wheat gluten”
http://tinyurl.com/3yzpgd
Comment by karen — April 27, 2007 @ 8:12 am
What about the pets that died in February ‘07 before the recalls came out? The cause can probably never be proven: no leftover food, no receipts, no autopsy, vets not looking for the problem…
Can those people send in postcards, too, or do you need to be “vet certified” that your pet died due to the food?
Comment by petlover — April 27, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Argh… not sure if the link I posted earlier is working. If not, try the one below.
“FDA raids company that imported tainted wheat gluten”
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3yzpgd
Comment by karen — April 27, 2007 @ 8:17 am
petlover, I’d say just send them. If you believe your pet died due to the recall, that is the main thing, IMO. The original plan was to get the media’s attention AND the FDA that the weeks on end report of only 16 “official” deaths was WAY wrong. Now the FDA’s been saying 17-18 deaths. Hold me back. This post card blitz (and Stage 2: the stuffed animal campaign) is to make clear that we’ve been approaching deaths numbering far higher than 17 or 18.
So stop reading and get writing! Tomorrow’s the deadline and this grassroots effort will have no impact if they don’t receive post cards in HUGE numbers!
Thanks to all who are taking part in this!
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 8:24 am
p.s.: forgot to clarify about Stage 2: the stuffed animals….
Don’t worry about that part now. We’ll be organizing info about that portion later. Right now we need only to focus on the post card blitz!
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 8:25 am
If you feel your pet was harmed or killed by the food then get those cards and mail them, you have EVERY right.
And an FDA that can’t or WON’T count our sick and dead is not fit to clean up a sick cats vomit.
Hence the recall of the FDA.
They are as toxic as the poison they ignored for so long.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 27, 2007 @ 8:29 am
Thanks, Ally. I’ll have my dog counted. I’m printing the postcards with his wallet-sized picture on as we speak. Thank goodness for photo printers!
Comment by petlover — April 27, 2007 @ 8:30 am
I’m printing up my own card with Mercy’s photo on front, my sweet Doberman, she is three years old and diagnosed with Liver Disease and Urniary proplems in November of 2006. She needs to be counted. She started her symptoms shortly after I switched to SD Lamb and Rice.
Great Going everyone on this Blitz!
Comment by Linda — April 27, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Comment by petlover
“What about the pets that died in February ‘07 before the recalls came out? “
My dog died in Feb, BEFORE the recalls. My other 3 became ill in Feb, BEFORE the recalls. I knew then what caused it and kept the bag of remaining food. I know now what caused it even tho that particular brand has not been recalled YET. You bet your sweet bippy I’m sending out my post cards!
Comment by Sandy C — April 27, 2007 @ 8:33 am
Comment by Jenny — April 27, 2007 @ 7:57 am
For those of you that lost a pet, please do send out those postcards. Make your pets count!
Well said, Jenny!
I encourage everyone to send those postcards, even though you may not have definitive proof. If the deaths are suspect enough, especially with Acute Renal Failure, send those postcards anyway. You may never get definitive proof because the FDA is NOT making this a TOP PRIORITY.
You must demonstrate that all of this is really happening. Don’t give up!
And like I said on an earlier post.
KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS!!!!!
To the CITIZEN JOURNALISTS out there who have ferreted out information, you are doing a good job, keep up the good work. You may have never thought you’d be doing this in your spare time, but here you are.
Comment by SL — April 27, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Petlover send them!! Everyone needs to be a part of this - hopefully some media will report that “certain” people are receiving thousands of postcards. Steve, thanks for the info. We actually hired our own attorney and he sent the paperwork last week - I’ll keep everyone updated. By the way, thanks everyone for everything - I’ve lost one cat and the other struggles day to day - everyone here on petconnection makes it a little easier to handle but on the other hand this whole scandal is jaw dropping!! I also got a t-shirt from cafeexpress with ” Menu Foods - poison” on the front - wore it last weekend - amazing how many people stopped me and asked about it - I was GLAD to tell them - I even wore it into Petsmart - Nutro rep didn’t like it too much!! OH WELL!!!
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 27, 2007 @ 8:39 am
Sandy, I would like to know what brand of food hurt your animals. Please share. Thanks.
Comment by Angelique — April 27, 2007 @ 8:42 am
In all reality, even those of us who have proof. i.e. cans of recalled food, notes from vets, bills, etc, aren’t being counted. So, if your pet was on a food that you think killed it, go for it.
Comment by Joyce — April 27, 2007 @ 8:43 am
And one more thing - PLEASE pass the information about the post card blitz along to everyone you know who might be interested in joining in. Heck - they may know people too!
Just get the word out as time is running out.
It’s amazing how many people don’t yet know about this campaign let alone the recall!
All the pet’s voices who have been silenced due to death or those now sick need to have their voices heard!!!
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 8:46 am
And please, if you have a printer, run off a couple of Blitz announcements and put them where people who do not use the internet will see them.
We are all pet parents here, we know where pet people are likely to be.
Send the link to anyone we might have missed and email the Blitz announcement to anyone who will not call you a spammer.
By tomorrow night there should be a tidal wave of postcards on the way!
Thanks so much everyone, you too, Gina!
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 27, 2007 @ 9:03 am
The postage for post cards is 24 cents — I found a bunch of old 20 cent postcards in my drawer and the Post Office was happy to sell me 4 cent stamps for each one.
I don’t have a way to print out a photo of my cat, so I just filled out the postcards on the back, (telling how Lindsey got sick and to save his life, it cost me $700 — 2/3 of my Social Security Disability check), stuck an address sticker and the extra 4 cent stamp on the front and I’m ready to put them in the mail tomorrow.
Hopefully, this will have an impact — business and government folks belittle emotion, but economic impact, they understand — all those postcards with all those dollar amounts should speak in a language they understand!
Comment by Dorene — April 27, 2007 @ 9:07 am
Comment by Sandy Schrieber 8:39am
Sandy you say you got a tshirt at CafeExpress.
Explain. Did you design your own comment on it.
Looks like a great idea. Think I’d have mine say
“Pet Food Companies Killers of Innocent Pets.”
Sandy please provide more details on how to do this.
Comment by VJ — April 27, 2007 @ 9:09 am
Angelique it was Beneful that killed my dog. When I talked to my local FDA official, he was well aware of the issues with Beneful and Purina food in general. He had many complaints on this food and when I started reading him the product number, he finished it for me because he knew it from memory. They were only eating it for 2 weeks before my first dog died. I didn’t make the connection to the food then. I didn’t make the connection til my 2nd dog started having seizures. All 4 dogs had been vomiting up small amounts of bile occasionally but I guess I’m dense. I never thought about their food poisoning them. In fact, the vet didn’t either…he kept saying to check my yard, there must be something in it that was poisoning them such as a plant they were chewing on. Luckily the 3 dogs that survived were only eating small amounts of dogfood to supplement the homemade that I usually feed them. Soon as I made the connection that the issues had started when I put them on commercial dog food, I stopped giving it to them and all symptoms stopped. Now you tell me if it was the food or not?
Comment by Sandy C — April 27, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Address for Oprah Winfrey’s corporate office in case you want to add her to your postcard campaign:
Harpo Productions, Inc.
110 North Carpenter Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
U.S.A.
Comment by Sherrod — April 27, 2007 @ 9:12 am
comment by Sandy C. 9:11 am
But Beneful is not on recall. How can this product keep skirting around the recalls. (scarcasm)
Comment by VJ — April 27, 2007 @ 9:18 am
That’s my exact question, VJ! I would hazard a guess that deep pockets has something to do with it. The FDA guy told me it should’ve been recalled long ago but not to hold my breath waiting for a recall because it would be a long time coming.
Comment by Sandy C — April 27, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Sharrod, thanks for the info re: Oprah
We decided not to add her at this time since she has remained virtually silent about the recall (albeit a brief nod recently on her show). After discussing it on Itchmo’s forum it was agreed it was better to focus on what we have so far. I’m not trying to deter anyone’s ideas - all are most welcome! - just wanted to explain why she wasn’t included at this time. We can add her for the next round if it’s felt she *might* respond and help.
It’s unfortunate Oprah hasn’t been more vocal about this recall. She has a wide audience and it would have greatly helped. Perhaps we *can* get her to listen? I honestly don’t know. But with the deadline looming tomorrow I am more concerned we get to the ones we currently have on the list.
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 9:23 am
For those of you who want to do a postcard but may not have the time or be available on Saturday to do it:
Note from Howl 911: If you do not have a digital photo of your pet to print onto a card or supply to a print shop, you can use clear packing tape to afix your pet’s photo to the front of the postcard.
Also, Howl 911 has created customizable M.S. Word postcard templates, front and back, for you to use. This template can either be used with Avery postcards # 3263 or printed on any 8 1/2” x 11” cardstock paper which can be cut into fourths after printing the templates onto the front and back sides of the paper.
For a donation of $10.00 per pet, Howl 911 will also create and mail the postcards for you (five cards per pet will be created and mail—one to each of the five addressees below.) The donation fee covers the cost of postage, Avery postcards, printing ink and handling. A confirmation email will be sent to you to serve notice that your postcards were mailed. Any orders of postcards received after noon. PDT, Saturday, April 28th, will be mail on the following business day. The donation will also help to support the Howl 911 website.
To effect Howl 911’s service, send an email to postcard@howl911.com and be sure to include the following information:
Your name and address
Your pet’s name, age and date of death (if applicable)
A photo file of your pet (send us the largest you have, in dpi and/or file size, to ensure quality printing without pixelation. File formats can be jpeg, gif, tiff, or png, psp, or psd
Your paypal transaction ID number or forwarded copy of your paypal confirmation email as proof of payment. Paypal accepts direct transfers, echecks and major credit cards. Use the “donate” button below to make your payment by Paypal:
http://howl911.com/petfoodreca....._blitz.htm
Comment by mal — April 27, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Folks, please quit with the Oprah thing for now, please. Just stop.
We tried, OK? All of us who worked on this TRIED and we know why the Oprah show blew us off. This will be discussed on the itchmo forum next week. We will not discuss it until THIS blitz has been accomplished.
A few cards trickling in will not help and may hurt this cause but if you feel you must then you must.
This blitz right here is what we need to do today. This one thing, for one day.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 27, 2007 @ 9:39 am
a FDA can’t recall food video.
I put up a video from the House hearings. In in Lisa Shames, the GAO’s Acting Director of Natural Resources and Environment talks to Reps Stupak and Whitfield about how the FDA can’t issue mandatory recalls and there are no timeline deadlines for informing the FDA or the public when they find something wrong with the food.
It’s chilling to learn, check it out.
Comment by spocko — April 27, 2007 @ 9:44 am
IMO, the FDA is so busy testing human food now that pets have taken a back set. We haven’t heard anything about soy, and it is used as extensively, if not even more so, than wheat or rice. The “Esb protein” additive, which the Chinese export company touts (heavily) as an exclusive product, is *essential soy bean*. They claim it can be added to boost (spike) protein in any food. It can can be added to anything, like wheat, rice, pea protein powder, bone meal. From the information I’ve just read online another interesting fact is that the U.S. is the largest producer of soy. Wouldn’t be surprising if the actual source of the tainted raw materials is a U.S. company growing crops in China or some other location? U.S. companies have started up operations globally. This is quite a mystery.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 27, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Just had a thought. What if Gail, Oprah’s friend, were contacted. Isn’t she an editor on the Oprah Magazine. Maybe she would have some influence in getting Oprah to talk more about this.
Comment by VJ — April 27, 2007 @ 9:53 am
Nadine,
Consider this: Wilbur-Ellis makes fertilizer and exports it overseas. Let your imagination go wild.
Comment by Lynn — April 27, 2007 @ 9:54 am
In the New York Times Op-Ed piece on-line(4-27-07) today: “China Needs an Einstein, so do we,” Mr. Thomas Freidman is referring to creative thought and free expression, but I like this quote from his article - seems to fit doens’t it.
“So my sense…is that if Einstein were alive today, he would be telling both America and China that they have homework to do.”
Comment by Linda — April 27, 2007 @ 9:54 am
VJ -Let the Oprah issue go for now. Not only that, but her show will soon be all reruns anyway [spring/summer] so there may not be any time to include anything related to the recall.
I”m not excusing her - I think it’s really, really sad that she claims to love animals and won’t [at this time] make more than a scant mention of the problem. Could be pet foods are sponsors of the show….or advertisers in her magazine.
Comment by Lynn — April 27, 2007 @ 9:59 am
RE EINSTEIN:
The man was brilliant.
The message is: Stand back and take a good look at what you’re doing.
Comment by Lynn — April 27, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Pet food maker Menu Foods, ingredient supplier searched in U.S. investigation
April 27, 2007 - 12:26
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. federal agents searched facilities of pet food manufacturer Menu Foods Income Fund (TSX:MEW.UN) and one of its suppliers as part of an investigation into the widening recall of products made with ingredients contaminated by an industrial chemical, the firms disclosed Friday.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials searched an Emporia, Kan., pet food plant operated by Menu Foods and the Las Vegas offices of ChemNutra Inc., the supplier of one of two ingredients suspected in the contamination of millions of cans of recalled dog and cat food, according to the companies.
Menu Foods, based in Mississauga, Ont., recalled its products after 16 pets, mostly cats, died from eating contaminated food. Other manufacturers also recalled animal food.
Menu Foods also said the U.S. Attorney’s offices in Kansas and the western district of Missouri have targeted the company as part of misdemeanour investigations into whether it violated the federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. The sale of adulterated or contaminated food is a misdemeanour. A Justice Department spokeswoman had no immediate comment.
http://tinyurl.com/257fb4
Comment by Steve — April 27, 2007 @ 10:03 am
RE EINSTEIN
There is a new, excellent biography that just came out on this amazing man.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 27, 2007 @ 10:05 am
Don’t hesitate to include your pet if it became pet food poisoned before the Mar 07 recalls started…
The information I have is that the Menu Foods recall currently goes back to Nov 06. I would not be surprised to see this date pushed farther back.
The current recalls of American Nutrition products that were released yesterday go all the way back to Aug 06! These were Wilber-Ellis rice protein concentrate products which Wilber-Ellis claims to have imported in July 06.
American Nutrition is on record now of switching/adding this unlabeled gluten in yesterday’s recalls. This switching/adding of glutens has been an industry practice, but so far we only know of those foods recalled yesterday due to the practice. There may well be more. We are still at the tip of the iceberg on this scandal :(
Comment by Gracie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:06 am
American Nutrition date of beginning the switch of glutens? Some time ago, I’ll bet.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 27, 2007 @ 10:16 am
Comment by Lynn — April 27, 2007 @ 9:54 am
ADM is in Hong Kong.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 27, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Nadine, you betcha…
Comment by Gracie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Angelique, my guys were eating Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care (pouch) - sorry, it took so long - actually had work to do :)
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 27, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Comment by Gracie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:19 am
I think the dates may coincide with when the Chinese mfgr of that Esb Protein began selling it. I think they got patent approved in China in 2005? To me, the dates were suspect. Chinese govt also has them on their trade web site. I’ve read so much in the last six plus weeks that I’d have to go back and check to be sure. They are the only mfgr of the Esb.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 27, 2007 @ 10:24 am
VJ - if you go to howl911 they are selling the shirts and they have all kinds of merchandise with ” Menu Foods - poison” just a GREAT shirt to wear!!! By the way, I did print out the postcard blitz and took it to Petsmart - I am going to go by some grocery stores after work and put it in the same location they have the recall notices
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 27, 2007 @ 10:25 am
If my $5,000 vet bills are any indication, and in light of the dangers to our human food supply, our government would be remiss not to IMMEDIATELY put in place affordable health insurance for Americans.
Crank up dialysis machine production, folks. We’ll all be walking around with mini kidney pump units attached to our waists if this secrecy keeps up.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 27, 2007 @ 10:33 am
There will be a set of postcards sent in memory of each of the 16 test animals who died as a result of Menu Foods feeding them poisoned food. I think it’s important to remember them, too.
Comment by dottie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Please note that the post card blitz also applies to pets that got sick, are still sick and/or recovered, according to Howl911. My little 2 year old Tutone(cat) got very sick late november.Two days at vet on subcutaneous fluids. Suspected culprit Special Kitty pouches.
I just used the paypal route. So easy!!
Comment by Serijna — April 27, 2007 @ 11:02 am
On phase II — the stuffed toy animal campaign…You realize, of course, that it will be virtually impossible to buy stuffed animals that aren’t Chinese-made? So, better make sure that they aren’t REAL dog & cat fur passed off as “faux fur” on those stuffed toy animals.
Comment by Dee — April 27, 2007 @ 11:03 am
JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT I WILL BE BURNING A CANDLE TOMORROW FOR ALL THE CATS AND DOGS THAT LOST THIER LIVES IN THE RECALL AND I WILL BE PRAYING FOR EVERYONE THAT LOST THEIR PET AND ALSO THE ONES THAT ARE SICK. I FEEL FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS A SICK CAT OR DOG.
A VERY ANGRY PET OWNER.
Comment by Jill — April 27, 2007 @ 11:04 am
Jill - great idea!! Turn on the headlights too!!!
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 27, 2007 @ 11:07 am
I CRY EVERYDAY AND MISS MY BELOVED AIRDALE, HE WAS ONE IN A MILLION, JUST BECAUSE HE DIED BEFORE THE RECALL DOESN’T MEAN IT WASN’T THE FOOD. THEY JUST DIDN’T RECALL IT IN TIME. THINK ABOUT IT, THE DEATHS COME FIRST THEN THE RECALL? THERE ALWAYS IS A PRICE AND THAT PRICE IS US AS A CONSUMER. I’M SURE IT GOES BACK TO DEC 6TH THAT’S WHAT I HEARD OF PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED AROUND THAT TIME. THATS HOW FAR BACK IT GOES. WHO KNOWS MAYBE FURTHER? IM ANGRY AND HURT BY THESE COMPANIES, AND THEY HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CALL ME UP AND SAY THEIR SORRY ABOUT MY PET. THEN THEY WANT MY VET’S PHONE NUMBER AND INFORMATION AND VET BILLS. I HAVN’T HEARD ANYTHING YET. THEY WON’T ADMIT THEIR GUILTY AND I KNOW THEY THINK THERE GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. I WILL NEVER TRUST THEM OR ANY OTHER AFFILIATE OF PROCTOR AND GAMBLE.
Comment by Georgeann Heckman — April 27, 2007 @ 11:19 am
Has anyone’s cat died from eating Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d? I lost my little man, Legend, (11 1/2 year old tabby) to acute renal failure on 4/19/07. I spent $5,638.96 for his 24 hour care trying to nurse him back to health from 4/5 -4/19 and I still had to say goodbye to my baby. I’ve contacted them no less than 6 times with every time a promise to be called back and no one has called me. My heart is broken and I’m angry.
Comment by Rhonda — April 27, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Rhonda, I feel your pain - I have been there and my heart is still heavy - I still boo hoo every day and when I hear more and more it makes me sick. Menu and Nutro wanted information on both of my cats and I will be shocked if they will come through and pay vet bills. It will be interesting to see how Menu handles this. The company that is handling the claims for Menu is ” Crawford & Company” - our attorney said they are very WELL KNOWN for low-balling people……
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 27, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Rhonda,
My cat died from eating Hills’ Prescription c/d. Hills’ emailed me and asked me to call them. I have not done so yet because I keep waiting for them to issue a recall, but guess the time has come. So sorry about your pet.
Comment by Janice — April 27, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Sandi and Janice,
Thanks for your responses. I am so sorry for both your losses, I know how deeply you are hurt and saddened because I still cry every day from the loss of my baby. Sandi, has Hill’s contacted your vet? They seem to be calling my vet often and asking all kinds of questions about Legend’s records but will not call me back. Luckily, my vet is 100% behind me and believes that it was the food despite the fact that he was diabetic. His diabetes was well regulated and his full blood panel run in Feb. showed kidney functions to be normal. This is tragic. I hope these pet food companies will do the right thing.
Comment by Rhonda — April 27, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
Atleast you were contacted by Menu Foods. I have spoke to one of the “customer service” reps FIVE times now. I reported Rupert’s illness on day 2 of the recall. Still no contact, nothing. Maybe I should have an attorney draft a letter :>)
Comment by Joyce — April 27, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
Joyce,
Actually it was not Menu Foods for my cat, it was Hill’s. He was eating Prescription Diet m/d. Is Rupert o.k.?
Comment by Rhonda — April 27, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Joyce,
Actually it was not Menu Foods for my cat, it was Hill’s. He was eating Prescription Diet m/d. And I have not been contacted by Hill’s, so I’m in the same boat as you with repeated phone calls to them even AFTER I called and told them that he died! Sickening!
Comment by Rhonda — April 27, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Comment by Dee — April 27, 2007 @ 11:03 am
On phase II — the stuffed toy animal campaign…You realize, of course, that it will be virtually impossible to buy stuffed animals that aren’t Chinese-made?
This was also discussed and one commentor here did find an online company that sells only USA made stuffed animals: http://www.kathyskreations.com/
American made stuffed animals do exist and definitely would be preferred. Do some sleuthing. The site previously mentioned can’t be the only one. Or make your own animal to put even more heart into it?
Once Stage 2 begins, we can all share our research as to where to buy US made animals.
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Rhonda - sorry, my cats were on Nutro not Hills. Joyce, it might be the best to have your attorney draft a letter, we did that. The call center for Menu is ” worthless”
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — April 27, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Here’s another place that makes stuffed animals in Vermont:
http://huggaplanet.com/foundling.html
I’ll stop now because I don’t want to cloud this blog entry with Stage 2 related info. We aren’t done with yet Stage 1 (the Post Card Blitz) and right now - that is the priority!
I know it’s difficult right now but let’s try keeping positive. There’s enough negativity flying around without adding to it.
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Rhonda - yes.
My friend Carol had a kitty that became very ill and she believes (as i do) she subsequently died from eating Prescription Diet m/d.
I will be sending out her postcards tomorrow with mine.
Comment by starrvox — April 27, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Rhonda,
Email Hills’ every day until they respond. The squeaky wheel gets the oil!!!!!
Comment by Janice — April 27, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
I love the candle idea. Will do the same. My postcards for my sick dog are ready to mail. Thanks to everyone who keeps this site up and running; you have surely saved many lives. The information here is priceless. My heart and thoughts go out to all those who have lost their beloved friends to this disgrace, and to all the others who are still fighting for their furry family members. May we all succeed.
Comment by StraysWelcome — April 27, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
I’ve got 18 ready to mail tomorrow. One for each cat that has gotten sick. My 10-year old daughter is feeling helpless about all this and I had her draw a picture of her kitties and write a letter that we will be mailing to someone at a different time. I’m not sure who that someone should be so suggestions are really welcome. I don’t think it should be Senator Durbin because the picture will make someone cry.
Comment by Sharon — April 27, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
This is regarding the dates of the recall. I noticed symptoms last June. At the time, they were minor and not an everyday thing so I had no idea I had poison in their bowls.
I lost 5 from 12December06 to 22December06. A colony of 35 is now 30. I thought it was something contagious except the dog next door (that I feed) got sick. There were shelers shutting down in August due to distemper and a story on the news about a cat colony, some raccons and one dog. They called that distemper but dogs do not contract feline distemper. I think we all know now what it was so they need to back up their dates quite a bit. I guess this MIGHT happen when a number higher than 16 or 17 0r 18 is acknowledged.
Comment by PJ — April 27, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
So sorry….that should read that a colony of 30 is now 5!
Comment by PJ — April 27, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
My post cards are ready and in the mail!!! I hope everyone will do the
same. Great idea. Thinking about all those participating in the
nation wide march. Thanks Jen for all your wonderful work on this.
They put a lenghly article in our local paper on losing Allie to the
dog food. I have received numerous phone calls. Any little bit helps.
Prayers for all the furbabies who are still struggling to survive and
prayers for all of us who are still mourning the lost ones.
It has been 10 weeks today that Allie died. Saturday’s are hard. I
still catch myself looking at the clock at the exact time she died.
Julie
Destin, Florida
Comment by Julie — April 28, 2007 @ 8:55 am
THANK YOU to all those who posted reports of dogs becoming ill and dying from Purina. It was NOT on the recall list. I’ve been homecooking for my dog since the recall, but still feeding him some dry purina food. I’ve stopped and give him a handfull of whole grain cereal now instead of dry food. I’ll be burning candles too. That was a wonderful idea.
Comment by Falcon K — April 28, 2007 @ 10:18 am
Falcon- so glad your dog is safe. Very thankful to hear. Hugs and smiles to you.
Comment by shelly — April 28, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Regarding the lighting of Candles -
I’ve found holidays for me, especially Christmas, to be especially difficult time after the loss of a pet. I find that lighting a candle especially for them to be especially helpful. I use a scented one myself.
Comment by shelly — April 28, 2007 @ 10:45 am
When Allie died Feb. 17, we bought a lantern candle to hang beside her little grave in our back yard. We bought 100 votive candles and my 10 year old son lights one every night.
A few weeks ago I found a house we may be interested in. My son said he would never move. Finally, he said he wanted someone to buy our house that was very responsible, so they would light Allie’s candle every night. It broke my heart. I tried to reassure him that even if we moved, we could have a memorial at the new house and still light a candle for her.
I hope these petfood companies realize how this effects all our lives, especially to the children. This was Alex’s dog. He picked her out when he was 5 years old.
It still is so painful.
Comment by Julie — April 28, 2007 @ 11:17 am
Any word on how the Postcard Blitz campaign performed?
Comment by Shelli — April 30, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
I haven’t heard anything yet, but we probably have to give it a day or two for the cards to arrive.
Comment by Marilyn — April 30, 2007 @ 6:41 pm