pet connection

“Pet Connection” is a pretty common name for retailers and rescues across the country.  I’ve been in two unrelated Pet Connections that were filthy, skanky retail outlets for the “products” of puppy-milling scum, and that sell sick herps and dead and dying small pets as well. How do these  places stay in business? Why don’t people take one look and walk out?

And then there’s the Pet Connection of Mission, Kan., a shelter that is  going through a rough time and may be closing for good. We get phone calls and e-mail meant for this operation all the time, probably because our syndicate is based in Kansas City, so people figure we’re the same organization.

It’s not a big deal, I just redirect people to the right place.

The shelter Pet Connection has now pretty much ceased operations. Funding is tight, and they’ve had to hire lawyers to defend themselves from some claims of problems.

I don’t know what’s going on, or who’s right, and it’s a local matter to the Kansas City area so I’m not going to be taking the time to sort is all out.

Just know this: We’re not the Pet Connection of Mission, Kan., nor do we run any skanky retail operation for the marketing of sick pets from millers, nor do we run any operation of any kind except for the dissemination of pet-related information through our media channels.

So if you’re looking for a store or a shelter, you’re in the wrong place. If you’re making a donation, ditto. Just letting you know.

Update on a previous story: The FDA is coming down hard on the compounding pharmacy whose mistake led to the horrible deaths of 21 polo ponies a year ago today:

The Food and Drug Administration is seeking an injunction in federal court against Franck’s Compounding Lab of Ocala, Fla., to prevent the company from introducing adulterated, misbranded, and unsafe animal drugs into interstate commerce.

The FDA is concerned that the company’s continued compounding practices pose a significant public health risk, as evidenced by the deaths of 21 polo ponies April 19, 2009, before a match in the U.S. Open Polo Championships, after having been given a drug compounded by Franck’s.

The complaint for the injunction was filed April 16 by the Department of Justice on behalf of FDA in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and would permanently bar the company, officially known as Franck’s Lab Inc., and its chief executive officer, Paul W. Franck, from compounding animal drugs from bulk ingredients without FDA approval.

The compounding pharmacy makes animal drugs, in most instances from active pharmaceutical ingredients (“bulk ingredients”), and distributes them throughout the country. Compounding is the term used for combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient.

Here’s the rest. Last week the governing body for polo announced that it would introduce a drug-testing program for the horses, also triggered by the tragedy.

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