Mitt Romney - Shame On You...

Presidential Material?

...we think not!

Mitt Romney...

Shame
On
You!

As viewed on Pet Connection: ...please go to: http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/29/thats-pronounced-shame-us-isnt-it/

For The Boston Globe article on Mitt Romney: "Journeys of a shared life" ...please go to: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/romney/articles/part4_main/

"Before beginning the drive, Mitt Romney put Seamus, the family's hulking Irish setter, in a dog carrier and attached it to the station wagon's roof rack. He'd built a windshield for the carrier, to make the ride more comfortable for the dog."

"As the oldest son, Tagg Romney commandeered the way-back of the wagon, keeping his eyes fixed out the rear window, where he glimpsed the first sign of trouble. ''Dad!'' he yelled. ''Gross!'' A brown liquid was dripping down the back window, payback from an Irish setter who'd been riding on the roof in the wind for hours."

August 2: Animal Sense Speaker Series...

PLANNING AHEAD
AND WAY AHEAD, TOO!

Companions For Life has created the Animal Sense Speaker Series and coming up on Aug. 2 the topic is "Feral Cats A to Z" with guest speaker Pam Asturias of Feral Friends Animal Rescue & Assistance.

The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway in Dallas.

You can get in with a $5 donation by registering early at http://www.companionsforlife.org/, or donate $10 at the door.

Refreshments and door prizes will be provided!

Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center...

Dallas: new shelter nearing reality!

The grand opening has been set for Aug. 18 for the long-awaited new Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center.

Grand opening festivities will include educational activities for kids and their families courtesy of Companions For Life. We've lined up a dog trainer, cat behaviorist, the Red Cross, and many more.

Ribbon cutting and speeches by politicians are at 10 a.m. and the celebration will follow at the new building, 1818 N. Westmoreland -- right on the southeastern corner of Westmoreland and Tom Landry Freeway, known to most of the world as I-30. It's on the west side of Dallas, not far from the new SPCA of Texas headquarters.

We'll have more information as we receive it!

ASPCA: Worldwide Animal Welfare...

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT VETS BACK MOVE AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY

At their annual meeting in Paris on May 25, members of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) gave overwhelming support to the new Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. The declaration is proposed by the UK-based World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which hopes to collect 10 million signatures worldwide and have the declaration adopted by the United Nations.

OIE members, including chief veterinary officers from around the world, voted for the resolution in order to achieve worldwide acceptance of animal welfare as an important issue, and called on governments to support the goal. To find out more about the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, please visit Animals Matter online.

WSPA is the world's largest federation of animal welfare organizations, representing over 800 member societies in more than 147 countries, and is the only animal welfare organization to have consultative status at the United Nations and the Council of Europe. ASPCA President Ed Sayres serves on the WSPA Board of Directors.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert061507&JServSessionIdr010=u0qsmzi821.app23b#4

HBH Recalling Fish Food...

HBH Pet Products is recalling certain fish food for pets that were found to contain melamine. We spoke to a representative at HBH Pet Products today and he said that the recall went up on Monday. Aquabond, which was found to have contained melamine and related compounds, was used in these products. A contracted manufacturer for HBH Pet Products alerted them of the contamination. The representative said Aquabond was added without their knowledge or approval. HBH Pet Products is currently doing their own testing of their other pet food.

Here is the list of recalled fish food:

20002 Crab and Lobster Bites 1.3oz
11012 Goldfish Bites 1.5oz
11013 Goldfish Nibblets 4.3oz
11024 Goldfish Nibblets 8.0oz
11015 Goldfish Nibblets 32oz
11016 Goldfish Nuggets 32oz
25000 Shrimp Pellets 1.6oz
25001 Shrimp Pellets 4.6oz
25002 Shrimp Pellets 9.1oz
22001 African Cichlid Attack 3.8oz
22008 African Cichlid Attack 8.0oz
22009 African Cichlid Attack 28oz
11017 Oscar Bites 1oz
11018 Oscar Grow 3.8oz
11019 Oscar Show 8oz
22012 Super Cichlid Sinkers 29oz
20007 Baby Bites 1.2oz

For more information see the FDA Web site at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01643.html

CFL and Operation Kindness...

...north Texas' largest and oldest no-kill shelter, teamed up Saturday 6/9 to bring humane education to the 2007 Dog Day Afternoon at Bob Woodruff Park in Plano. New to DDA this year - the Canine Compassion Tent, where volunteers from CFL, Operation Kindness, and the Red Cross teamed up to provide DDA guests with information on peparing pets for disaster, spay/neuter, and animal cruelty.

Sadly, just this past week, another victim of animal cruelty was brought in to Operation Kindness - a tiny blonde Chihuahua whose owner had thrown him to the ground in a fit of rage, breaking both his front legs. The owner used popsicle sticks and electric tape to fashion home-made splints, but the splints were too tight and they cut off the circulation to the already-broken legs. When Don Pablo was found it was too late - one leg had to be amputated. The other is still in jeopardy and may also have to be amputated. But Don Pablo remains a sweet, loving, creature who loves everyone he meets - humans and dogs.

Don Pablo was a big hit at the Canine Compassion Tent at DDA and helped make everyone aware not just that animal cruelty exists, but how to spot cruelty and what to do about it.

For more information on preventing animal cruelty, or to donate to our educational programs, visit http://www.companionsforlife.org/library_cruelty.html.

California Spay/Neuter AB 1634...

Assembly passes mandatory spay/neuter in CA, sends to Senate

June 6, 2007

In a last-minute late night vote, California’s State Assembly approved AB 1634, a bill that would require mandatory spay/neuter of all dogs and cats over the age of 4 months in the state of California.
The bill, which was stalled earlier today, passed at 10:18 PM PT by a vote of 41 to 38 — 41 being the bare minimum number of votes needed to pass. The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.

Wal-Mart Ol' Roy Recall...

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition For Dogs Recalled Due To Salmonella


This product was distributed in 69 Wal-Mart stores in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.


Product: Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition dry dog food
Size: 55 pound bonus bag
UPC Code: 6 05388 72076 4
Lot Number: 04 0735 1
Best Buy Date: Apr 13 ‘08
Best Buy Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: Only 69 Wal-Mart Stores potentially received this product from 2 distribution warehouses in Virginia.

The 69 stores are located in Maryland (4 stores), North Carolina (10), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (3), Virginia (40) and West Virginia (11).

Acetaminophen in Dog and Cat Food...

Texas lab finds pain medicine in pet food

Go to: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_510984.html

By Karen Roebuck TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 5, 2007

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating a Texas laboratory's finding of acetaminophen in dog and cat food, an agency spokesman said Monday.

"We're very interested in being able to test these samples ourselves to determine the levels of those contaminants," said FDA spokesman Doug Arbesfeld. "What's significant is these things are there. They don't belong there."

The pain medication is the fifth contaminant found in pet foods during the past 2 1/2 months and can be toxic or lethal to pets, especially cats. It is not known if any animals became sick with acetaminophen poisoning, or died from it.

Also: http://www.itchmo.com/read/texas-lab-finds-acetaminophen-in-pet-food_20070605

Spotlight on Helping Animals: eBay...

There are more ways than ever to show your support for Companions For Life!

This June and July, eBay Giving Works (eBay's dedicated program for charity listings), will be shining a Spotlight on Helping Animals. eBay is encouraging everyone to raise money for organizations dedicated to protecting and helping creatures, including Companions For Life!

Of course you can always use eBay Giving Works to list items and donate part or all of the final sale prices to us, but during the months of June and July, eBay will focus special attention on organizations that are improving the lives of animals and the listings that benefit us. It's a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and funds for our mission! For more information on listing items to benefit CFL, http://www.companionsforlife.org/Help%20Us%20Raise%20Funds%20in%20June%20and%20July.doc

You can also support us by shopping on eBay! Be sure to visit our MissionFish page: http://www.missionfish.org/NPMMF/nphomepage.jsp?NP_ID=12755 on a regular basis – you'll find a list of all items currently live on eBay, with part or all of their final sale price going to COMPANIONS FOR LIFE!

Thank You for your support...

ASPCA: National Dog Bite Prevention Week...

ASPCA News Alert:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert052507&JServSessionIdr009=mqz2vh3041.app25b#1

RAISE YOUR AWARENESS DURING NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK—MAY 20-26

According to a survey conducted by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs annually, with 800,000 individuals—half of them children—requiring medical treatment. To help raise awareness of the issue, a resolution was introduced in Congress on Monday that recognizes National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 20-26, 2007, and calls on communities to find local solutions to address the problem.
-Children should not approach, touch or play with any dog who is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.-Children should not pet unfamiliar dogs without asking permission from the dog’s guardian first. If the guardian says it is okay, the child should first let the dog sniff his closed hand.-If a child sees a dog off-leash outside, he should tell an adult immediately.-If a loose dog comes near a child, she should not run or scream. Instead, she should avoid eye contact with the animal and stand very still, like a tree, until the animal moves away.
For more information, please visit ASPCA.org, where you can download our Dog Bite Prevention activity worksheet.

Menu Foods Court Order...

UPDATE: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/US%20Residents.htm

May 24, 2007

Dear Pet Owner:

Thank you for your interest in Menu Foods. Menu Foods wants to express sympathy to those pet owners whose pets have become sick or died, and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to address your concerns. It has always been our desire to compensate pet owners for reasonable expenses that we can identify as being caused by contamination of Menu Foods’ products.

On May 24, 2007, a United States federal court issued an order that, for the time being, prevents Menu Foods from having direct contact with individual U.S. pet owners. In light of the order, we regret that we cannot communicate with you at this time. As soon as the court permits, we intend to resume efforts to resolve claims directly with pet owners. We will post additional information when we are able.

Menu Foods Recalls 2 Canned Products...

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/PressRelease05222007.htm

Menu Foods has added two more items to their Canadian recall list:

Western Family Canada Chicken Cuts/Gravy canned dog food dated December 11, 2009 to March 7, 2010 (624g)

Western Family Canada Chunks of Chicken/Gravy canned cat food dated December 11, 2009 to March 7, 2010 (374g)

Menu Foods said that these two items should have been added to their recall expansion on May 2 and just recently noticed that they were omitted.

Confirmed Costco Recall...

UPDATE: May 22, 2007

The product in question is:
Nutra Nuggets 40 lb. Lamb & Rice
Product code: NLR0404
with a best by Oct 9 & 10, 2008

The Nutra Nuggets product in question was sold at:
Costco in CA, WA, OR, AZ, NV.

Costco Nutra Nuggets Warning...

Dry Dog Food: Nutra Nuggets


Go to: http://www.ksee24.com/Story.aspx?preview=&type=ln&NStoryID=6812

Path of Tainted Gluten...

Washington Post:
May 20, 2007
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/05/20/GR2007052000047.html?referrer=emaillink

Be Aware!

Latest News Articles:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/4818117.html

http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/art/aV93_62.htm

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-ed-fda19may19,1,4302650.story?coll=la-news-a_section

CFL Summer Safety Tips...

Pet Summer Safety Tips:

Pets should not be left in parked cars! hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.

Pets should not ride untethered in back of trucks standing on hot metal. If they need to be transported, they should be in carriers or kennels.

Pets should not ride in your lap in the front seat. Special leashes can keep pets safe in the passenger or back seat, check with your local pet store.

Don’t leave your dog standing on hot asphalt, sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during hot times to a minimum. AND, steer clear of any areas you think may have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals.

Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

Heavy metal chains are not good for securing your dog, which can conduct heat and severely injure your pet.


Watch pets around bodies of water, not all pets are great swimmers.


Pets should have access to fresh water, food and shelter at all times. This is a must! Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

Identification tags are critical – make sure your pet has one! Especially with the summer holidays ahead. Should your pet be spooked by fireworks or firecrackers, you’ll stand a better chance of your pet being returned because you loved them enough to provide an I.D. tag.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.companionsforlife.org/.

Have a Safe Happy Summer!

FDA Issues New Recalls...

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/chenango05_07.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- May 17, 2007 --
Chenango Valley Pet Foods previously recalled dry pet foods manufactured with a shipment of rice protein concentrate supplied by Wilbur-Ellis that possibly contained melamine contamination. Chenango Valley Pet Foods is now expanding the recall action to include those pet foods that do not contain rice protein concentrate but were manufactured during periods when rice protein concentrate formulas were processed. The recall of these products is precautionary due to the possibility of cross-contamination.

The following dry pet foods are involved in this recall action:

DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH LAMB & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT DOG FOOD
NET WT. 6 LBS. (UPC 25141 28244), 15 LBS. (25141 30074), and 30 LBS. (UPC 25141 06043)
Date Codes: Best By Feb 09 09 and Best By Feb 26 09

SHOP RITE REDI-MIXT DOG FOOD FOR DOGS
NET WT. 25 LB. (UPC 41190 00555)
Code C7107

LICK YOUR CHOPS KITTEN & CAT FOOD
NET WEIGHT 4 LBS. (UPC 32976 25915), and 18 LBS. (UPC 32976 25925)
Date Code: Best Used By April 29 08

SHEP chunk style dog food
NET WT. 20 LBS. (UPC 41498 14142)
Date Code: Best By March 14 08

8 in 1 Ferret ULTRA-BLEND ADVANCED NUTRITION DIET
NET WT. 20 LBS, UPC 26851 00413
Code: C7072

Bulk Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food
Date Code: Feb 09, 08
-- sold to one consignee SmartPak.

Health Diet Cat Food Chicken & Rice Dinner
NET WT. 1.81 kg/4 LB (UPC 78198 01594), 4 kg/8.8 LB (UPC 78198 01599), and 8 kg/17.6 LB (UPC 78198 01585)
Code C7072

EVOLVE KITTEN FORMULA
NET WT. 3 LBS. (UPC 73657 00250) and 7 LBS. (UPC 73657 00251)
Date Code: Best Used By Sept 13 08.
Evolve has recovered 99.5% of the product from its distributors and is working with dealers to recover the remaining inventory.

No illnesses or injuries related to these products have been reported to date.

Pet owners who have purchased the pet foods listed above should immediately discontinue using the products and return them to the place of purchase for full refund. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-610-821-0608.

Be Aware!

Royal Canin 051107 Correction...

Royal Canin has issued a correction to their previously posted recall product dates.

They are as follows:

“products with Best By date codes between July 28, 2007 to April 30, 2008 are being voluntarily recalled.”

Royal Canin Recall UPDATE 051107

http://www.royalcanin.us/

These eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products with date codes between July 28, 2006 to April 30, 2007 are being voluntarily recalled:

SENSIBLE CHOICE® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

KASCO® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
- KASCO® Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

- KASCO® Cat (Dry Cat Food)

Based on today’s announcement, pet owners should stop feeding their pets the eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and dry cat food products listed. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian if they are concerned about the health of their pet.