News

• Recalls continue to plague the pet industry as Merrick has had to recall a small number of their Beef Filet Square Dog Treats due to Salmonella and Feline's Pride recalled their raw diet, Natural Chicken Formula for, you guessed it, Salmonella. Finally United Pet Group had to expand their recall of dog vitamins to include joint supplements, brewer's yeast and garlic tablets, and many other powders as well. These products are sold in many large "box store" retailers as well as by pet related Internet sites.
  
  
• The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) has established this database of people who would like to volunteer their services for the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster. The database contains additional information about each registrant that enables agencies involved in the cleanup to recruit people based on their expertise, availability, etc. You are encouraged to provide as much information as possible to make the database useful to many agencies. You do not need to be a veterinarian or a member of AAZV to register on the list, and there is no fee for registering.
  
  The information contained in this database is made available only to agencies that are involved in the cleanup, and only when requested by them. There is no guarantee that you will be called upon for service.
  If you wish to register, please do so only once. If you would like to be removed from the list or change anything in your registration, please contact the AAZV at aazvorg@aol.com with your request. If you have questions about this registration database, please contact us at the above-mentioned email address or (904) 225-3275.
  
  Thank you for registering. (posted 5/28/10)
  
  
• An online survey is giving seven worthy charities, including the American Veterinary medical Foundation, a chance to win $25,000 to benefit pets.
  
  Novartis Animal Health is sponsoring the Million Dog Search campaign to raise awareness of canine osteoarthritis.
  
  At the campaign's Web site, www.milliondogsearch.com, participants complete a five-question checklist to learn some of the signs of arthritis and find out whether their dogs are at risk. An e-mail address is requested at the end.
  
  Every person who fills out the survey has a chance to choose one of seven charities, among them the AVMF, to receive a $1 donation from Novartis.
  
  The campaign began April 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
  
  Each charity that reaches 5,000 checklists/supporters will receive $5,000.
  
  The Organization with the most checklists completed at the end will receive an additional $20,000.
  
  Canine osteoarthritis affects 14 million dogs every year, but only 1.4 million dogs are currently receiving treatment, according to the site. (posted 5/20/10)
  
  
• The U.S. departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services have launched a consumer website--FoodSafety.gov--that will offer pet food recall information.
  
  The website will post information about food safety, food recalls (human and pet), tips on how to handle food safely and news from the key agencies. Visitors can sign up to receive e-mail and RSS alerts on recalled or potentially unsafe food. (posted 11/14/09)
  
  
• Lists of sources for assistance with veterinary bills and other animal care:
  • United Animal Nations, www.uan.org/lifeline/resources.html.
    
  • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.aspca.org/about-us/faq, "Financial help with my vet bills" under "Pet Care"
    
  • Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care, under "What you can do if you are having trouble affording veterinary care" and "Having trouble affording your pet?" (posted 10/6/09)
    
    
• Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit conservation organization, launched it Trees for Pets program. One tree will be planted and cared for in an American forest for each $5 donation. By planting Trees in Celebration or Trees in Memory of your pet, you honor your pet with a lasting symbol of your devotion while sharing a healthier world with everyone. (posted 8/28/09)
  
  
• Beginning in July, Pet Airways will begin service as the first airline catering exclusively to "pawsengers"--no humans please--flying in specially outfittedmain cabins rather than cargo. Inaugural cities include New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver, and Los angeles, with prices starting at $149. (posted 7/09)