Pet Soup - HSPCA launches Food Bank for Pets

No doubt these are troubling financial times for many Americans. Between Wall Street woes and job cuts, many families are having difficulty even putting food on their tables. Unfortunately, these difficult times are filtering down to our 4 legged friends as well. Many people are abandoning their pets and animal shelter intakes are reaching their maximum capacity across the country.
In order to address this problem in South Carolina, the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals teamed up with the Harvest Hope Food Bank to initiate a food bank for pets - called Pet Soup! As a result of this new program, clients seeking services and resources from Harvest Hope can also pick up food for their pets. We think this is a wonderful idea but they need our help! If you can donate pet food, either dry or canned or perhaps make a donation, we know they will put it to good use. To read more about the program and find out where to deliver your donation, see their site: http://tinyurl.com/4d8ngl
We hope to see more programs such as this initiated in every state.

74 Days to Christmas - shopping tips

If you or your friends are in the mindset that a raw diet is nutritionally superior for the canine, then perhaps the suggestion of a meat grinder and dog food cookbook from yesterday's post might well be at the top of your shopping list. After surveying several dog chefs that prepare daily raw diets for their dogs, Canine Element is here to report that the Northern Industrial Electric Meat Grinder comes highly recommended. While most dogs don't have a problem gnawing and swallowing raw meaty bones, others seem to do better when the bone is ground. The Northern Industrial can easily handle necks, thighs, knuckle and large pieces of bone without you having to chop or saw the bone into smaller pieces first. It is stainless steel, easy to clean and basically very low maintenance. You can even buy an attachment and make some boneless sausage for the human meat eaters in the family. What a deal!
If you don't know much about balanced raw food meals for canines or you want to expand your knowledge of a raw diet and canine nutrition, then we suggest you take a look at Real Dogs Don't Eat Kibble! (Naturally Healthy Dog) by Sandra Bailey. An easy to read book with tips on foods to use, foods to avoid, portion control, boosting the immune system and of course, recipes.
These two items get a 4 paw salute in our household!

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Alert: Another Pet Food Recall

Mars Petcare, a major manufacturer of dog food has announced a widespread recall of several of their brands of dog food, including PEDIGREE, Ol Roy and other national brands. The food is believed to be contaminated with Salmonella serotypeSchwarzengrund.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and in humans - especially children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea, fever, and vomiting while some pets will only experience decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your vet immediately.

Also note that animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans, according to the announcement from the FDA.

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit http://www.petcare.mars.com/.

Check out their website, monitor your pet's health and look for the following information on your food bags:

For PEDIGREE® brand:

Consumers should look for "PAE" on the bottom line - the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

For all other brands:

Consumers should look for "17" as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

Rachael Ray Fans

For all you Rachael Ray Fans, she's been cooking for her dog, Isaboo. As a result, she's come out with a line of dog food products, without the fillers, the chemicals and the junk. Proceeds are going to charities that help take care of abandoned and neglected animals. Check out her new line at: www.rachaelray.com/pets

News: Food Recall for Timberwolf Organics

Posted on June 3, 2008, Timberwolf Organics is recalling two of their products: Dakota Bison and Ocean Blue.

Customers have reported their dogs experiencing bouts of diarrhea and vomiting associated with these two products.

As stated on their website: http://timberwolforganics.com/News-and-Events
"Timberwolf Organics Customer,

Due to recent reports from some customers, we have ordered that two formulas from three specific dates be pulled from the shelves. These are:

Dakota Bison with 'best by date' of 12 Feb 2009
Ocean Blue with 'best by date' of 20 Feb 2009
Ocean Blue with best by date' of 8 March 2009"

For additional information on exchanging the food or getting a refund, please visit their website.

News: US Marshals seize petfood from Petco Distribution Center

The following information was published on the FDA website today:

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2008

FDA Requests Seizure of Animal Food Products at PETCO
Distribution Center

Today, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), U.S. Marshals seized various animal food products stored
under unsanitary conditions at the PETCO Animal Supplies
Distribution Center located in Joliet, Ill., pursuant to a
warrant issued by the United States District Court in Chicago.

U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated animal food susceptible
to rodent and pest contamination. The seized products violate
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because it was alleged
in a case filed by the United States Attorney that they were
being held under unsanitary conditions. (The Act uses the term
"insanitary" to describe such conditions).

During an FDA inspection of a PETCO distribution center in
April, widespread and active rodent and bird infestation was
found. The FDA inspected the facility again in May and found
continuing and widespread infestation.

"We simply will not allow a company to store foods under filthy
and unsanitary conditions that occur as a direct result of the
company's failure to adequately control and prevent pests in its
facility," said Margaret O'K. Glavin, associate commissioner for
regulatory affairs. "Consumers expect that such safeguards will
be in place not only for human food, but for pet food as well."

The distribution center in Joliet, Ill., provides pet food
products and supplies to PETCO retail stores in 16 states
including Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

FDA has no reports of pet illness or death associated with
consumption of animal food distributed by PETCO, and does not
have evidence that the food is unsafe for animals. However, the
seized products were in permeable packages and held under
conditions that could affect the food's integrity and quality.

As a precaution, consumers who have handled products originating
from the PETCO distribution center should thoroughly wash their
hands with hot water and soap. Any surfaces that came in contact
with the packages should be washed as well. Consumers are
further advised as a precaution to thoroughly wash products sold
in cans and glass containers from PETCO in the 16 affected states.

If a pet has become ill after eating these food products, pet
owners should contact their veterinarian and report illnesses to
FDA state consumer complaint coordinators.
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html

Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA"

Thanks to Bonnie Becker for bringing this information to my attention.
FDA posting: www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01854.html