According to Pet Connection (once again - those people are amazing!), the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center has issued an advisory to pet owners that they should confirm with the manufacturer of their pet foods that all protein sources in that food are of American origin - that is, born, raised, etc. in this country. This means not only the meat, but rice proteins, glutens, etc.
Please go read the entire thing because there's also info for people with sick pets and a link to the complete release.
So there it is. I will be switching to homemade for a while, as the meat I eat is raised just 40-50 miles south of me, and grass fed supplemented by grains grown by the ranchers. And I will be using that meat as a base for a homemade food because I give up. Fortunately, Pet Connection is apparently working with some veterinary nutritionists on a homemade food, but I figure my guys can live for a few weeks on a somewhat unbalanced diet of local meat, beans, pumpkin, dairy and, of course, their beloved carrots."Given the fact that there is new evidence of cross-contamination in ingredients that may have been considered safe prior to this news, we need to be much more aware of where the ingredients in our pets' food are coming from," said Dr. Steven Hansen, a board-certified toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), located in its Midwest Office in Urbana, Ill.
"We are strongly recommending that pet parents immediately investigate, via their pet food manufacturer's Web site or by calling them directly, where the ingredients, specifically protein supplements, are sourced from."
Given the current situation and until this crisis is resolved, the ASPCA is recommending pets be fed products containing U. S.-sourced protein supplements only.
"The continued expansion of the recall is extremely worrying," said Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) in New York City, and a board-certified internist. "The magnitude of this crisis leaves us frustrated as to how to best protect pets and prevent any more illnesses or deaths."[/b]
Please go read the entire thing because there's also info for people with sick pets and a link to the complete release.