It is about time.
The US Senate voted Wednesday in favor of stricter production and labeling standards so people have more information about what they are feeding their pets.
The 94-0 vote was on an amendment by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to broader legislation related to the Food and Drug Administration.
My dog Raven died of bone cancer, making her one of the 25 percent of all dogs over the age of two who lose their lives to some kind of cancer.
Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) has announced the launch of an unprecedented $30 million effort to cure canine cancer within a dog’s lifetime–the next 10 to 20 years. World-renowned scientists and cancer specialists agree that this MAF-led effort will not only save countless dogs from suffering and premature death, but should also help produce breakthroughs in the prevention, treatment and cures of human cancers–in particularchildhood cancers.
MAF has taken the lead to secure financial contributions and manage/administer research grants to many of the world’s most prestigious colleges of veterinary medicine, universities, organizations and scientists. As an example, 14 leading veterinary/academic institutions–each members of the National Cancer Institute’s Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium (COTC)– will receive funding for canine cancer research. Endorsement of this MAF canine cancer initiative has been received from: Children’s Oncology Group, Animal Cancer Foundation, and the MIT/Harvard (Broad Institute).
This global cancer cure initiative is attracting major corporate support, including a $1.1 million donation from Pfizer Inc.–Pfizer Animal Health.
In addition to corporate sponsorships, MAF’s goal is to get 1 percent of the 44 million dog-owning households in the United States to make a donation of at least $50 in the name of their present dog(s), pet dogs of the past, and/or on behalf a puppy of the future–for a total of $22 million.
“Each of our own pet dogs is at risk of suffering the devastating effects of cancer,” states Dr. Patricia N. Olson, CEO and president of MAF. “One in four dogs will die of cancer, and cancer is the number–one cause of disease-related death in dogs over the age of two. Sadly, many of the most popular dog breeds are especially susceptible to developing cancer. Your donation of $50 or more may very well save your own beloved pet dog from suffering cancer’s effects. Here’s a chance to directly help the dogs we love.”
Dr. Olson also explains that while MAF’s mission focuses on animal health, the dog has proven to be a crucial player in solving the human-cancer cure puzzle. “This is the ultimate win-win situation,” says Dr. Olson. “As we treat and cure cancer in our pet dogs, we may help alleviate the ravages of cancer among humans. This animal-human bond is simply inspirational.”
Donations can be made by calling toll-free 1-877-DOG CURE (364-2873), or by donating
on the web at:
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
More Background/Details on MAF’s Canine Cancer Cure Effort:
MAF hopes to raise the $30 million from April 2007 through April 2012. This will include funding for:
A clinical trial is already under way involving the evaluation of a new treatment for bone cancer in dogs. This clinical trial includes five of the 14 members of the COTC: Colorado State University, Animal Medical Center (New York City), University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Illinois and The Ohio State University.
The Pfizer Animal Health donation has been specifically restricted to the Canine Comparative Oncology and Genetics Consortium (CCOGC), a group of veterinary and medical researchers who have determined that a repository of canine tumor tissues is an essential resource to progress new cancer therapies. This new resource to fight cancer has been named the Pfizer – CCOGC Biospecimen Repository. MAF and the AKC Canine Health Foundation provided the initial funding ($500,000) to launch this national biospecimen bank.
ABOUT MAF:
Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948, is dedicated to funding research that protects, treats and cures companion animals and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals in some 100 countries, spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF has its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The Foundation has funded more than 1,300 humane animal health studies with funds approaching $50 million.
One hundred percent of all annual, unrestricted contributions support animal health studies, not administration or the cost of fundraising. For more information, call (800) 243-2345, or visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
Content by: http://vettechs.blogspot.com/
I keep thinking that everybody who even thinks that they might have a problem will have quit stone-walling by now and recalled their food. Yet, today we have another report from Natural Balance. Of course, it’s possible that their food problems have nothing to do with the previous reports. Maybe they’re the victim of mass hysteria. Maybe it’s a hoax perpetrated in hopes of a lucrative lawsuit, like the gal who put the finger in her chili at Wendy’s (what a sick-o). I don’t know, and probably neither does anybody else. The summary is on the KVC webpage.
Christie Keith and Gina Spadafori have been working tirelessly to get the news out to everyone regarding the pet food recall since the news broke. They have lost sleep and time. While those in power attempt to shift our attention to possibilities of human food contamination and whatever else they think they can wave in front of us like a hotdog in front of a golden retriever they have kept us on track.
There are VOLUMES of information over there and they deserve your time and voice. Go give them some love. 
There’s little difference between e.coli in the spinach and someone PURPOSELY and without any regard to our pets safely putting POISON in our pets food. POISON. Actual, unadulterated POISON.
As Christie quotes daily from the FDA’s own website :
The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 (U.S.C. Title 21, Chapter 9): “The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.”
Clearly the FDA is NOT doing their job.
Someone ALWAYS knows when their product is questionable. The spinach producers KNEW what they were doing. The meat processing plant KNEW what they were doing when they killed people with their tainted ground beef in the ’90s. Someone KNEW that the apple juice was NOT safe. SOMEONE ALWAYS KNEW. Someone KNEW. But they put it out there for us AND OUR PETS to consume ANYWAY.
From the Dolittler’s Blog
“Who sold this “surplus” food to pigs meant for human consumption? Was it appropriately labeled, “pet food recall last call”? Who bought it? Does anyone even know the withdrawal time for melamine in pigs? Its effect on pig physiology? Or did they swallow the “16-death” pet food company party-line and consider any potential porcine casualties acceptable losses?”
From ConsumerAffairs.com
“Elder said pigs that ate this contaminated feed will not be allowed to enter the human food supply.
He emphasized, however, that “based on information currently available, the FDA and the USDA believe the likelihood of illness after eating such pork is extremely low. However, the agencies also believe it is prudent to take this measure.”
The pork from these animals will also be destroyed, officials said. And the USDA will compensate hog farmers affected by the tainted pet food. Owners of pets killed by the tainted pet food, on the other hand, get nothing.”
Do we believe them when they say it won’t enter the food supply? I DON’T. How is it that their way of getting rid of the tainted food garnered the seller and hog farmer income? Did it at least recoup their losses? I’m sure it does.
also from ConsumerAffairs.com
““What this appears to be is a case of deliberate contamination of wheat gluten in order to pass off substandard product,” Henderson told a U.S. House committee. “For a seller who knows how industry testing methods work, this would allow them to cheat the buyers.””
As if they’re the only ones who have ever done something underhanded and evil. They just happened to get caught.
Content from: http://vettechs.blogspot.com/
On a much smaller scale, thankfully. Two of the four new ones are in Canada and South Africa. One is an expansion of the original Menu Foods list. Only one seems to be a new player, and I must admit I’d never heard of them before: Blue Buffalo. As usual, I’ve added the new links to the old KVC webpages.
I’d hoped to write about my trip tonight, but that may have to wait a day or so. I’ve shoveled my desk down some, but still lots of backlog to take care of. Stay tuned.