How many have to die?

Costco and many other retailers don't seem to be getting the message despite the fact pet owners, veterinarians and pet nutritionists are shouting it from the roof tops. Pet jerky treats from China are bad. Just this morning CBC released yet another story about a dog death in Calgary that the attending veterinarian, Julie Schell from Bow Bottom Veterinary Hospital attributed to Vitalife Duck Tenders purchased at Costco. Both PetCo and PetSmart have made the smart decision (pun intended) to pull some China sourced treats from their shelves in recent weeks after a renewed interest in the topic.

2014 Jerky Stats (Source: Rodney Habib, Pet Nutrition Blogger)

• 1,000 deaths in dogs and more than 4,800 complaints about animal illness;

• Since last October the FDA has received about 1,800 new reports of illnesses and deaths; 

• Total : 5,600 dogs and 24 cats;

• Two toddlers and an adult who ingested became ill;

• One of the children was diagnosed with a salmonella infection. The other child developed G.I. illness and fever that mirrored the symptoms of dogs in the house that also ate the treats. The adult reported nausea and headache.

Effects of Jerky Consumption on Pets:

• About 60 percent of the cases involve symptoms of gastrointestinal trouble and liver disease;

• 30 percent involve kidney disease;

• 10 percent other problems, including neurological and skin conditions.

What should you do as a pet owner? 

Start by reading the labels of anything you buy your pet. If there is still a question, contact the manufacturer for Certificate of Origin to verify where their ingredients come from. 

PetSmart opens Pop-Up Dog Park in Downtown Detroit

Photo Credit

Earlier this month, PetSmart Inc. partnered with the City of Detroit and the non-profit community organization Detroit Dog Park to bring a portable, pop-up dog park to a vacant lot in Detroit. This is the first official dog park in Detroit, providing more than 10,000 square feet of space. 

PetSmart's P.U.P. (Pop-Up Park) is a shipping container that contains everything needed to create an interim dog park, including 340 feet of fencing, three Oops clean-up stations, three moveable, backless benches, lighting on and inside the container (powered by solar panels on the roof) and a storage closet. The shipping container serves as the park's point of entry and exit. Through the partnership, PetSmart supplied the P.U.P. and the City of Detroit will maintain the park. 

PetSmart has currently supplied P.U.P.'s to two other Phoenix, Ariz. communities and hopes to bring parks to four more communities throughout the country by the end of 2014. 

READ THE NEWS RELEASE

North America-Wide Animal Adoption Event

"Second Chance for Love"
Fall National Adoption Event
September 11-13 in all PetSmart Stores

PetSmart Charities(R) invites you to fall in love with a new pet this September 11-13 during the PetSmart Charities "Second Chance for Love" Fall National Adoption Event, sponsored by Hill's(TM) Science Diet(R) Brand and PetSmart(R).

The event will take place in all 1,137 PetSmart stores in the United States and Canada with a
goal of finding a lifelong, loving home for more than 18,800 companion animals.

More than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies in North America are expected to participate and will showcase adoptable pets at every PetSmart Charities in-store adoption center.

"Our vision is a lifelong, loving home for every pet," said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. "This event will give prospective Pet Parents the opportunity to find a great pet who will complete their families and bring them unconditional love."

In the U.S. alone, an estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year, but 3 to 4 million never find homes.

"PetSmart Charities is a strong advocate for adoption when choosing to bring a new pet into your home," Della Maddalena added. "We strive to bring the needs of homeless pets into focus and remind everyone about the benefits of choosing adoption during our national adoption events, and we also give our animal-welfare partners a chance to showcase the pets in their care who are waiting for a forever home."

Hill's Science Diet Brand has donated $100,000 for the event to help save the lives of homeless pets. Plus, not only will prospective Pet Parents get a new family member during this event, but they will also receive valuable offers from Hill's.

"We are extremely proud and excited to be a part of this event," said Neil Thompson, Hill's president and CEO. "Hill's is committed to helping homeless cats and dogs find a loving, caring home to enjoy for the rest of their lives. To that end, we will donate to PetSmart Charities $10 per pet for the first 10,000 adoptions."

To find the PetSmart Charities' Adoption Center nearest you, visit www.PetSmart.com or call 1-800-423-PETS.