Massive Recall of Foster Smith Products
United Pet has voluntarily recalled nutritional supplements for dogs, as well as additional tablet and powdered form products for dogs and cats, due to a possible Salmonella health risk. Products include some Excel and Petco branded products dated 01/2013 and 06/2013. Expiration dates can be found printed vertically on the right side of the containers. People handling these products as well as pets may become infected.
DOG DATES. On July 14, Animal-Vues is hosting a senior pet discussion. It will be interesting to hear the concerns and questions of these very lucky pet owners. I also hope to have an occupational therapist from Geisinger attend to explain how they can help pet owners recovering from illnesses take slow walks with their pets at home. July 15 is Fire Safety Day. Our new dog law mandates fire exits and fire equipment in all shelters. July 25th is the Nita Nee Kennel Club show. Last year they had a special hospitality committee headed by their president. The committee hosted question-and-answer sessions and were ringside to help newcomers understand the workings of the ring. On the last weekend in July there will be a three-day dog show on the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. This is the first opportunity many of us will have to see the first of the new breeds, the Cane Corso, Icelandic Sheepdog and the Leonberger.
RENDELL REJECTS REGULATIONS. Last week the Dog Law Bureau allowed the new dog regulations to include the use of wire flooring in kennels, including with pregnant dogs and puppies, for, it was written, sanitation reasons. (Rep. Millard is pro-wire flooring in the Bloomsburg Fair dog show building along with stacked cages.)
In response, Gov. Rendell sent a stern message to his own Agriculture Department, asking the agency’s top official to pull the regulations and start over!! Rendell wrote, “the regulations that were submitted do not address the issue of flooring provided to nursing mothers while they are nursing and moveover we need to do more to ensure safe and sanitary flooring to puppies as they mature to 12 weeks. Act 119 was intended to improve the life of all dogs in commercial breeding kennels.”
Perhaps instead of raising so many dogs in one facility it would be better to avoid this kind of intensive breeding and have smaller kennels. Puppies are not livestock but companion animals. Regulations must be re-submitted by August 19th.
TIOGA COUNTY CATTLE. A herd of beef cattle in Tioga County is under quarantine for drinking from a pond contaminated by chemicals from Marcellus Shale drilling. So much for locally grown beef and Pennsylvania pride in products from the farm if the ground and water are contaminated.
K9 LANDMINE REMOVAL. A new ad in our local paper is headlined “K9 Landmine Removal.” A year-round, seasonal or one-time service pet waste disposal for pet owners at $11 a week. Wonder if they would clean puppy mills?
MORE ON CARING FOR PETS IN HOT WEATHER. My daughters reported that there were altogether too many unhappy dogs, suffering both from hot asphalt and generally hot and humid conditions, often visibly so, at the People’s Choice and Arts Festival events this year in State College. Owners seemed generally oblivious. No idea why these pets were not left home in more comfortable conditions. At one event there was very little available shade and many had not brought water. Under crowded conditions, a heat-stressed dog can respond in unfortunate ways. I have always felt that after a dog received his/her CGC the owner should receive a laminated CGC wallet card like the TDI identification. This would be necessary for events where dogs can become a negative presence, even if they are normally well behaved.
Jul 12, 2010 | | Uncategorized