PAWPRINTS

Archive for September, 2008

NEW YORK, September  2008 – The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has advised pet owners to discontinue using certain dog and cat foods manufactured by Mars Petcare US, which has voluntarily issued a nationwide recall because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects several brands of dry pet foods in the United States including Pedigree, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Natural Dog Food, Red Flannel, Country Acres, Buju & Ziggie, Member’s Mark, Natural Cat Food, Retriever, Bruiser, Doggy Bag, PMI Nutrition, and Pet Pride. For a complete list of affected brands and more information on the recall, please visit http://www.petcare.mars.com/.

“The ASPCA recommends that pet parents discontinue the use of all affected products immediately until further information has been received,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. “Pet parents should wash their hands after handling any potentially contaminated pet food and immediately consult with a veterinarian if any signs or symptoms are noticed in their pets.”

The recall may affect several brands that are widely distributed at pet specialty stores, supermarkets, mass retailers, as well as other retail and wholesale outlets.

In an emergency situation, pet owners may also call the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

The ASPCA offers the following list of essential items to pack in advance for your animal companions, should you ever be faced with evacuation:

• Pet first-aid kit and guide book
• 3 to 7 days’ worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food
• Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
• Litter or paper toweling
• Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
• Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
• Dishes for food and water
• Extra harness and leash
• Photocopies of medical records
• Waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires
• Bottled water—at least seven days’ worth for each person and pet
• Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
• Flashlight
• Blanket
• Recent color photos of your pet(s)
• Pet Grab ‘N Go Bag (can be crucial to protecting your pet’s paperwork)
• Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter
• Especially for dogs: Long leash and yard stake, toys and chew toys, a week’s worth of cage liner

For a more complete list of emergency planning tips and the Ready Pets brochure on pet-friendly evacuation, visit the Disaster Preparedness section of the ASPCA website.