We learned that at least two different representatives of the State Department of Agriculture – taking pet food samples from grieving pet owners whose pets had just died – told pet owners this (almost identical quotes):
“You have no chance of proving that there is a pet food problem”
“You have no chance of proving that it was Purina’s fault.”
Imagine…just after your beloved pet died, you firmly believe that their death was related to pet food. Do the right thing and report the death to the FDA. A state feed official contacts you (on behalf of the FDA), interviews you, and makes arrangements to collect a sample of the suspect pet food. Every word you say about it, every word you type about it – it breaks your heart even more. You relive the painful death your pet suffered over and over explaining the details to the regulatory authority. But you do it, because you want disease and death to stop. You do this because you don’t want anyone else to experience the pain you and your pet suffered.
You allow a stranger into your home to collect a valuable sample of your pet’s food. You don’t trust this person completely – but you have hope that they will do the right thing for all pets (not just yours). You are anxious, grieving, sad and hopeful for a moment. And then…the person you trusted…crushed you with their words.
“You have no chance…”
It’s almost as if their words are scripted, almost as if someone is assuring them that this pet’s death and illnesses are “rumors”.
We report these individuals to the FDA and their respective State Departments of Agriculture.
The states? Missouri and Pennsylvania. Both states just happen to be heavily involved in AAFCO – in other words they work side by side with Purina, Hill and Mars representatives.
Purina’s headquarters are in Missouri, and Purina has a large manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
Both states receive substantial funding from the FDA – tax dollar funding. According to the government’s funding tracking website:
Missouri:
Pennsylvania:
To be perfectly clear…under NO circumstances A government animal feed investigator must render an opinion on the guilt or innocence of a pet food during the investigation. Their official job is to collect pet food samples from documented adverse event reports. Their official job is NOT to express an opinion, not to dismiss pet owners’ belief that food is related to their pet’s death. Their official job is NOT to defend their pet food friends (apparently their friends at Purina).
To any pet owner who provides a sample of a suspect pet food during any investigation, you are helping the investigation – don’t allow an unscrupulous regulatory authority to stop you from doing the right thing. If the regulatory authority expresses an opinion similar to what occurred in this investigation, report them immediately to the FDA ([email protected] – Attention Dr. Timothy Schell CVM Director of Surveillance and Compliance). Report them immediately to their state employer (the State Department of Agriculture).
Although it may seem difficult at times, there is some regulation of pet food that follows a proper procedure and is not influenced much by the industry. They are few and far between, but they would have been there had the current issue been properly investigated.
Again – do not allow corrupt regulatory individuals to prevent you from reporting your pet’s illness or death. In this current issue and any future issue, your sick or dead pet is NOT a rumor – and their illness or death needs to be reported.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Buyer Beware of Author, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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