The Minnesota bill that would have required petfood companies to register their product recipes with the Department of Agriculture has died in committee, according to a press release from the Pet Food Institute.
Under Minnesota legislative rules, bills not voted out of policy committee by March 27 are dead for the 2009 session. PFI was opposed to the bill.
In other legislative news for the industry, a West Virginia bill that would impose at minimum a $5 surcharge on the Commercial Feed Distributor Permit application fee to fund a spay/neuter program is not expected to pass. According to the institute, the bill will not receive support from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Monday, April 6, 2009
PetSmart sends relief to flood victims
In response to the flooding in Fargo, North Dakota, PetSmart Charities is sending an Emergency Relief Waggin' trailer stocked with at least 16 tons of much-needed petfood and supplies, as well as a back-up trailer loaded with essential care items.
"Initial reports are that at least 1,000 pets could be affected by this disaster, so we have doubled the amount of supplies we typically send,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities.
Both the Emergency Relief Waggin' trailer and back-up trailer departed from the PetSmart Distribution Center in Ottawa, Ill., March 27 and are scheduled to arrive April 4 in Bismarck, North Dakota.
"Initial reports are that at least 1,000 pets could be affected by this disaster, so we have doubled the amount of supplies we typically send,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities.
Both the Emergency Relief Waggin' trailer and back-up trailer departed from the PetSmart Distribution Center in Ottawa, Ill., March 27 and are scheduled to arrive April 4 in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Vegans say cats need some meat
Even vegans say that cats need at least some meat in their diets, despite the recent article in The New York Times suggesting cats should stick to a vegan diet to protect fish, according to a recent article on www.examiner.com,
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals takes the position that felines require a meat-based diet, and Web sites such as www.vegancats.com and www.essentialvegetarian.com agree that cats need some meat.
Of particular concern is that cats are unable to synthesize the essential amino acid taurine, and so must get it through their diets. Taurine occurs naturally only in meat, and a deficiency can result in blindness and even death for a cat, according to the article.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals takes the position that felines require a meat-based diet, and Web sites such as www.vegancats.com and www.essentialvegetarian.com agree that cats need some meat.
Of particular concern is that cats are unable to synthesize the essential amino acid taurine, and so must get it through their diets. Taurine occurs naturally only in meat, and a deficiency can result in blindness and even death for a cat, according to the article.
Cesar launches petfood with dog newspaper
To celebrate the release of its newest product line Cesar Sunrise, a breakfast-flavored petfood line for small dogs, Cesar Canine Cuisine developed The West Highland Herald newspaper to go along with the new pet breakfast line, according to a press release from the company. Created to portray the world from a small dog’s point of view, the first edition of The West Highland Herald pertains to dogs.
“Our research indicates that breakfast time can be a bonding experience for small dogs and their owners,” said Anne Herrington, director of marketing for Cesar. “What better way to show your small dog you love them, then to offer a special breakfast meal prepared exclusively for them?”
The three flavors of Cesar Sunrise are Grilled Steak & Eggs, Smoked Bacon & Egg, and Chicken & Cheddar Cheese Soufflé.
Free copies of The West Highland Herald will be available in morning commuter areas, pet stores and breakfast-related establishments in eight cities in the USA from March 30 through April 5, 2009.
“Our research indicates that breakfast time can be a bonding experience for small dogs and their owners,” said Anne Herrington, director of marketing for Cesar. “What better way to show your small dog you love them, then to offer a special breakfast meal prepared exclusively for them?”
The three flavors of Cesar Sunrise are Grilled Steak & Eggs, Smoked Bacon & Egg, and Chicken & Cheddar Cheese Soufflé.
Free copies of The West Highland Herald will be available in morning commuter areas, pet stores and breakfast-related establishments in eight cities in the USA from March 30 through April 5, 2009.
Durbin: Humane Senator of the Year
Illinois Democrat Sen. Richard J. Durbin's efforts to crack down on puppy mills and improve petfood safety earned him the title of 2008 Humane Senator of the Year, according to an article by The Washington Times.
The Humane Society of the United States announced March 25 the recognition of Durbin as part of its annual Humane Legislator Awards.
The Humane Society of the United States announced March 25 the recognition of Durbin as part of its annual Humane Legislator Awards.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Banfield: Don’t skimp on petfood
Although many pet owners struggle to find ways to save on pet care, petfood should not be skimped on, suggests an article on www.dogchannel.com.
While it may be tempting to switch to lower-cost petfood, Banfield, The Pet Hospital said it’s important for pet owners to be aware of the long-term cost-efficiency of feeding their pets a higher-quality diet.
“Nutrition is the foundation of good health, and a quality diet can actually decrease your pet’s chance of developing costly health problems in the future,” said Karen Johnson, DVM, of Banfield.
High-quality food tends to include less filler and as a result, more nutrients are directly absorbed and used by the pet’s body, according to the article.
In addition, feeding pets a high-quality diet decreases the amount they need to be fed, according to Banfield.
While it may be tempting to switch to lower-cost petfood, Banfield, The Pet Hospital said it’s important for pet owners to be aware of the long-term cost-efficiency of feeding their pets a higher-quality diet.
“Nutrition is the foundation of good health, and a quality diet can actually decrease your pet’s chance of developing costly health problems in the future,” said Karen Johnson, DVM, of Banfield.
High-quality food tends to include less filler and as a result, more nutrients are directly absorbed and used by the pet’s body, according to the article.
In addition, feeding pets a high-quality diet decreases the amount they need to be fed, according to Banfield.
Evidence destruction claim rejected in Menu Foods case
Allegations that Menu Foods destroyed evidence are the basis of motions in several court cases, according to an article on www.consumeraffairs.com.
Menu Foods settled a $24 million lawsuit last year that grew from the largest petfood recall in US history. The case was heard in New Jersey, and parties are still wrapping up various items on the docket, but now a Washington state litigant is charging that the company illegally destroyed thousands of samples of food, potentially leaving him without evidence to pursue his claim.
During discovery for the New Jersey suit, the defendants collected thousands of cases of petfood — both recalled and non-recalled — in their warehouse. In December 2007, the defendants claimed that preserving all of these samples was an unnecessary waste of time and money. The court agreed, and allowed the defendants to destroy all but 500 units of recalled petfood.
Donald Earl, a plaintiff in a Washington state suit, filed a motion objecting to the orders in January 2008. Earl’s suit involved “cake style” cat food, which does not contain gluten and was not implicated in the March 2007 recall.
Laboratory tests of Earl’s food showed that it was contaminated with acetaminophen and cyanuric acid, nitrogen-based chemicals often used to artificially boost a food’s apparent protein content. Neither chemical was discovered in the recalled food. Despite his allegations, the court dismissed Earl’s objection without comment in February 2008.
Earl also filed a motion in Washington state court, where his own suit was pending. That court rejected his claim in February 2008.
Undeterred, Earl filed a second objection and motion to intervene in January 2009.
In a two-page order issued in February, Judge Noel Hillman denied Earl’s motion to intervene, holding that Earl “has not demonstrated that he has an interest in the ‘unorganized inventory’ requiring that this Court vacate its prior orders regarding that inventory.”
Menu Foods settled a $24 million lawsuit last year that grew from the largest petfood recall in US history. The case was heard in New Jersey, and parties are still wrapping up various items on the docket, but now a Washington state litigant is charging that the company illegally destroyed thousands of samples of food, potentially leaving him without evidence to pursue his claim.
During discovery for the New Jersey suit, the defendants collected thousands of cases of petfood — both recalled and non-recalled — in their warehouse. In December 2007, the defendants claimed that preserving all of these samples was an unnecessary waste of time and money. The court agreed, and allowed the defendants to destroy all but 500 units of recalled petfood.
Donald Earl, a plaintiff in a Washington state suit, filed a motion objecting to the orders in January 2008. Earl’s suit involved “cake style” cat food, which does not contain gluten and was not implicated in the March 2007 recall.
Laboratory tests of Earl’s food showed that it was contaminated with acetaminophen and cyanuric acid, nitrogen-based chemicals often used to artificially boost a food’s apparent protein content. Neither chemical was discovered in the recalled food. Despite his allegations, the court dismissed Earl’s objection without comment in February 2008.
Earl also filed a motion in Washington state court, where his own suit was pending. That court rejected his claim in February 2008.
Undeterred, Earl filed a second objection and motion to intervene in January 2009.
In a two-page order issued in February, Judge Noel Hillman denied Earl’s motion to intervene, holding that Earl “has not demonstrated that he has an interest in the ‘unorganized inventory’ requiring that this Court vacate its prior orders regarding that inventory.”
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