Carol Crocker's Rescue

We would like to introduce you to a wonderful woman in Alabama. She has vetted and cared for animals brought to her by folks in a rural area without a local shelter. The number of dogs is currently 101, including some with special needs.

The area is being developed, neighbors complained and the very county responsible for bringing many of these animals to her has taken her to court and she has to get rid of all but 3 dogs or they will be confiscated and killed.

She lost a number of dogs and cats when her home burned to the ground last year and she can't afford to rebuild, so she has lived in her garage and taken showers with a hose. But the animals have not suffered neglect.

She has not requested anything for herself, only homes for the dogs before they are confiscated. Help is arriving.

Drop by and read some of Carol Crocker's story.

We googled Carol and found the fire that destroyed the Alabama shelter was arson.


***** Important Mars pet food update*****

Mars Pet Food Recall Announced 9/12/08

Mars Pet Food announced a voluntary recall of many brands of dog food and cat food on 9/12/08 due to "potential contamination with Salmonella". The recall only affects products sold in the United States.

Products affected include Old Roy Dog Food, Pedigree Dog Food, Special Kitty Cat Food and several lesser known brands including Members Mark Pet Foods and Wegman's Pet Foods. The press release states: "Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, es pecially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems."

For the full list of products and UPC code and further information visit here.

Quoting the Mars Pet Care website: "The company stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29, 2008 when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund." Let me repeat - ‘the company stopped production on July 29, 2008'.

From Mars Pet Care's action of ‘stopping production' on July 29, 2008 - ten days later an initial limited recall was announced (Pedigree Dog Food only sold in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada); 34 days after this, the recall was updated, now including many products sold all across the United States. A total of 44 days passed from when Mars Pet Care states they stopped production, to the recent recall announcement covering 105 different brands, sizes, and varieties of dog food and cat food.

Remember, at the Pet Food Safety meeting the FDA held this past spring, the director of the FDA proudly announced that the action response time for the pet food industry is better than that of the human food side. Hmmmm.

Mars states they are "continuing to work collaboratively with the FDA to determine the nature and source" of the salmonella. The release does not state when Mars contacted the FDA regarding the possible contamination.

If you are anyone you know is feeding their pet a dog food or cat food made by Mars Pet Care, please take notice of this recall and take the necessary precautions.

Wishing you and your pet the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth About Pet Food
Petsumer Report
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/