Thursday, March 28, 2013

Pender sheriff asks SBI to look into animal shelter allegations



Pender sheriff asks SBI to look into animal shelter allegations
By F.T. Norton
Fran.Norton@StarNewsOnline.com

Published: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 5:01 p.m.

State investigators are looking into allegations of criminal wrongdoing at the embattled Pender County Animal Shelter, a spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday.

According to the Jennifer Canada, assistant public information specialist for the N.C. Department of Justice, at the request of the Pender County sheriff, the State Bureau of Investigation is conducting “a preliminary inquiry to determine if a criminal investigation is warranted.”

The shelter in Burgaw has been under fire recently by animal rights activists who allege it is being mismanaged, animals are being mistreated and shelter staff are stealing food and items donated to the animals.

Since 2007, the shelter has received a number of unsatisfactory reports during state inspections, N.C. Department of Agriculture inspection records show.

Most recently, an inspection March 11 found among less egregious violations, there were seven cats in a pen with one litter box, holes in the kennels were large enough for animals to stick legs through and get injured, cats were being housed in traps-cages without litter pans and 18 cats had received no medical care for matted eyes and nasal mucus, resulting in them being euthanized, the report said.

A reinspection Monday found the shelter had corrected the majority of the errors, to include getting vet care for sick or injured animals and providing appropriate housing and litter boxes for cats.

“Cleaning was ongoing during this inspection. Grounds were cleaner and more organized today,” the report states.

The next inspection is April 25.

F.T. Norton: 343-2070 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Iams Withdraws Shakeables Brand Dog Treats

Iams Withdraws Shakeables Brand Dog Treats

March 2013 – According to a news bulletin just discovered by our staff and published by PetSmart on its website some time earlier this month…
Iams Shakeables Turkey Dog Treats
“Proctor and Gamble has issued a voluntary market withdrawal of Iams Shakeables Turkey and Lamb Dog Treats with certain ‘Impacted Lot Numbers’ listed below. These treats are being voluntarily withdrawn due to potential for mold growth.”
According to the retailer, no other products are affected. Proctor and Gamble claims it has not received any reports of human or pet illnesses.

What Products Are Being Withdrawn?

Iams Shakeables Dog Treats Recall Lot Codes
To identify the affected lots, consumers should refer to the first 4 numbers of the second line on the bottom of the can.
Iams Shakeables Can Bottom

What to Do?

The bulletin warns users to stop feeding the affected products and to return any remaining Iams Shakeables Turkey and Lamb Dog Treats affected by the voluntary withdrawal to their closest PetSmart store for a full refund.
Readers with questions about this event are invited to call Proctor and Gamble (Iams) at 877-894-4458.
You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Who do I contact about a County Animal Shelter Violation in North Carolina


Have you seen a violation towards the animals in a County Shelter and you didn’t know who to contact? In NC the Dept. of Agriculture overseas our County Animal Shelters. Here's a list by County, however you can call the main office in Raleigh to notify them of your complaint or what you are concerned about. If you don’t make the call, who will? These animals need your voice when abuse is thrust upon them, they can’t speak for themselves.  Email AGR.AWS@ncagr.gov or Call Phone: (919) 733-7601; FAX: (919) 733-2277

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Premium Edge, Diamond Naturals, 4 Health Cat Food Recall

Premium Edge, Diamond Naturals and 4health Dry Cat Food Formulas Voluntarily Recalled


Premium Edge, Diamond Naturals and 4health Dry Cat Food Formulas Voluntarily Recalled Due to Possibility of Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Consumer Contact: 888-965-6131
diamondnaturals_kittenpremiumedge4healthFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 10, 2013 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling limited production codes of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula dry cat food,Premium Edge Kitten Formula dry cat food, Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula dry cat food and 4health All Life Stages Cat Formula dry cat food. Tests conducted by the company indicated the products might have a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1). There have been no complaints regarding thiamine levels, or any other health issues, related to these products. In association with this voluntary recall, Diamond Pet Foods has tested all other Diamond brands for thiamine deficiency to ensure the safety of the cat food it manufactures. No other product manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods is involved in this voluntary recall.
Only product with the following Best By dates and Production Codes are included in the voluntary recall. Further distribution of these affected production codes has occurred through online sales. It is best to check the production code to determine if the product has been recalled or not.
DiamondRecall32013
“At Diamond Pet Foods, we have a process where we continuously test our products, and this process allowed us to find the undesired levels of thiamine in some of our cat formulas. Our food safety protocols are designed to provide safe food on a daily basis,” says Michele Evans, Ph.D., Diamond Pet Foods Executive Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance. “In the event an error occurs, we have the data to quickly alert pet owners, giving them the confidence they demand of a pet food manufacturer.”
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact the Pet Food Information Center at 1-888-965-6131, Sunday through Saturday, 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. EST. Consumers also may visit http://www.petfoodinformationcenter.com for additional information.
Cats fed product with the previously listed Production Codes and Best By dates exclusively for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats in maintaining normal nervous system function. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, Neurological signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, falling, circling and seizures. Pet owners should contact their veterinarians immediately if a cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency typically is reversible.
Click Here to view the Diamond Pet Food press release for the U.S.
Note for Canadian pet food consumers: Click Here to view the Diamond Press release for Canada (production codes are different).

Diggin' Your Dog Treat Recall

                     Yes another recall on dog treats. Diggin' Your Dog is now on the list:
                                 http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm342968.htm

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Diggin' Your Dog Recalls Strippin' Chicks Pet Treats Distributed in Colorado and Nevada Due to Possible Salmonella Hazard

Contact
Consumer:
1-775-742-7295

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 7, 2013 - Diggin' Your Dog™ announced today that they are voluntarily withdrawing one lot of its Strippin' Chicks™ Pet Treats produced on 8-30-12 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The sample was obtained in Colorado and the company has accounted for its distribution in Colorado of this lot.
No other Diggin' Your Dog™ products, lots, or production dates are affected.
The lot being voluntarily withdrawn is: Strippin' Chicks™ Pet Treats 5 oz Bag. Lot Code 250322 Use By Date: 2-23-14.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Animals with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some animals will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your animals have consumed the recalled product and have these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Diggin' Your Dog™ takes the matter of consumer protection and safety very seriously and strives to deliver only the safest products available.
Diggin' Your Dog™ is committed to providing the highest-quality pet treats possible to their customers. As a precautionary measure, Diggin' Your Dog™ will continue to produce all products in very small, handmade lot batches.
No Other Diggin' Your Dog™ products are affected by this voluntary withdrawal. Customers who have purchased this lot code are urged to stop feeding the product to their pet, remove the lot code from the packaging, and discard the contents.
A full refund, plus $1.00 to cover postage will be received by mailing the UPC and lot code to:
Diggin Your Dog, LLC, PO Box 17306 Reno, NV 89511.
All refunds will be processed within ten business days (plus postage time).
Diggin' Your Dog™ values the efforts of all agencies dedicated to the safety of the industry and is committed to consumer safety at all levels.
For questions or more information, contact Diggin' Your Dog™.
By phone at 775-742-7295 Mon-Fri 8:30AM - 4:00PM Pacific Standard Time
Email us at info@dydusa.com.
###
Recalled Product Photos Are Also Available on FDA's Flickr Photostream.4

Monday, March 4, 2013

Euthanasia Guidelines: The Gas Chamber Debate


It took way to long but FINALLY it's here. The new AVMA's statement on gas chambers, they are no longer being listed as acceptable ( due to conditions) to kill our companion animals. So NC remove your 13 Gas Chambers that still are in operation in 2013.
 
http://atwork.avma.org/2013/02/26/euthanasia-guidelines-the-gas-chamber-debate/

Euthanasia Guidelines: The Gas Chamber Debate
 
February 26, 2013 | Dr. Gail Golab

Now that the 2013 edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals has been issued, the debate over the use of gas chambers for euthanasia of unwanted dogs and cats in animal shelters is likely to take center stage once again.

 

In previous editions of the guidelines, the use of carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide (CO2) gas was considered ‘acceptable’ for euthanasia of dogs and cats. In the 2013 Guidelines, the classification for use of these gases has been changed to ‘acceptable with conditions’.  Techniques that are ‘acceptable with conditions’ may have greater potential for operator error or safety hazard, are not well documented in the scientific literature, or may require a secondary method to ensure death.  The use of these techniques requires that specific conditions be met to ensure that death is achieved in a humane way. When ALL of the conditions are met, ‘acceptable with conditions’ methods are equivalent to ‘acceptable’ methods. And, if all conditions are not met, they are not considered ‘acceptable.’

This means that the use of CO or CO2 for euthanasia of dogs and cats is ONLY considered acceptable when ALL of the following criteria are met. For more details, consult the full Guidelines.

 1.Personnel must be instructed thoroughly in the gas’s use and must understand its hazards and limitations;

 2.The gas source and chamber must be located in a well-ventilated environment, preferably out-of-doors;

 3.The gas must be supplied in a precisely regulated and purified form without contaminants or adulterants, typically from a commercially supplied cylinder or tank;

 4.The gas flow rate must allow operators to achieve known and appropriate gas concentrations within the recommended time;

 5.The chamber must be of the highest-quality construction and should allow for separation of individual animals. If animals need to be combined, they should be of the same species, and, if needed, restrained or separated so that they will not hurt themselves or others. Chambers should not be overloaded and need to be kept clean to minimize odors that might distress animals that are subsequently euthanized;

 6.The chamber must be well lighted and must allow personnel to directly observe the animals;

 7.If the chamber is inside a room, monitors must be placed in the room to warn personnel of hazardous concentrations of gas; and

 8.It is essential that the gas and the chamber be used in compliance with state and federal occupational health and safety regulations.

In the 2013 Guidelines, euthanasia by intravenous injection of an approved euthanasia agent remains the preferred method for euthanasia of dogs, cats, and other small companion animals. Gas chambers are not recommended for routine euthanasia of cats and dogs in shelters and animal control operations. The guidelines state that “alternate methods with fewer conditions and disadvantages are recommended for companion animals where feasible.”

We understand that some people believe these chambers should be banned for use for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, there are still shelters and animal control operations that do not have access to controlled substances and/or the personnel authorized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to administer them.  This limits these facilities’ options for euthanizing animals. If your local shelter or animal control operation uses a gas chamber to euthanize dogs and cats and you strongly believe its use should be discontinued, we recommend you work with the facility to develop a realistic plan to phase out the use of the chamber. Reducing the population of unwanted animals reduces the number of animals that may need to be euthanized, so efforts to reduce pet relinquishments and increase adoptions are the best long-term solutions.