Cat Product Recall

3,600 bottles of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats has been recalled due to a possible contamination of salmonella. These pills aren't only dangerous for your cats, but for any person who handles the vitamins as well.

Come join us in the web's most dynamic and fun online pet community at www.planet-pets.com and keep your finger on the pulse by signing up free to our monthly online newsletter, The Scoop today!

PLANET PETS TV - Episode 2 - Now On Stands Everywhere!

We at Planet-Pets.com are proud to present our second installment of our brand new show, Planet-Pets TV, hosted by none other than Me :), Brandon James and Amanda Fruta. This episode continues on the topics we discussed with dog owners at the Huntington Dog Beach, a beautiful 3/4 mile stretch of Ocean front dedicated to dogs. We found out some interesting things about personal experiences with the pet food recall, how to get your dog trained to become a therapy dog, and about how rescues work. Check it out!



Video: Planet-Pets TV Episode 2

It's Official! We Love Pets More Than....

OURSELVES????
Yep you got it! With all of the current news out surrounding animals, and our love for them, it's just blatantly obvious that while we can stomach the images of war, starvation and death on the newscast every night, it's a heart wrenching affair to hear about the mistreatment of animals. In fact it's just gone TOO FAR!
Almost two thirds of homes in America own a pet. This year's estimated money spent in the pet industry is a whopping 41 billion dollars, up from a measly 38.5 billion last year! According to Bob Vetere, the president of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 42 percent of pets sleep in the same bed as their owners - up from 34 percent in 1998.
I'm pretty sure I can guess where Leona Helmsley's 12 million dollar pup Trouble slept......



Come join us in the web's most dynamic and fun online pet community at www.planet-pets.com and keep your finger on the pulse by signing up free to The Scoop!

PLANET-PETS.COM TV IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!

An Increase in Vigilance On Their Produced Food Says China...

Well I suppose we all knew this was coming. The Chinese premier has passed a new law that dictates stronger supervision and more severe penalties for negligence of Chinese companies producing dangerous products.
This of course comes on the heels of a massive world wide rejection of many Chinese produced products, from toothpaste to seafood.
I really do hope that something happens, as unfortunately, we Americans rely heavily on products "Made In China." Try going to the grocery store or any store for that matter and not buying anything made in China. It's harder than you might think. Outside of the obvious issues I have with their political views and the tragic pet food poisoning of earlier this year, I'll be wary of any Chinese products for a while now.
Take a few seconds and choose to remember the helpless victims of that tragedy, and stay alert.

Read more from Brandon James in Planet-Pets.com's free monthly pet newsletter, The Scoop or check out the website at www.planet-pets.com.

A New Puppy In The House: Welcome Home!

On your new puppy's first day home, one of the best things you can do for him is give him a complete tour around the house on a loose leash. This is the pup's first introduction to whatever limitations you want to put on his future access to your possessions - your furniture, golf clubs, books, the kids' toy shelves, etc.

This is not the right time for disciplining him or saying "no." (The puppy might begin to think that "no" is his name!) Instead, use a guttural "Yack!" combined with a very slight tug-and-release of the leash as he sniffs to warn him away from untouchables. He's new at this, but just saying, "Puppy!" in a happy voice may be enough to get him to look at you - "Good dog." Back to happy chatter as you move on.

All you are doing is letting him know by means of prevention what things he will have to avoid in the future. Be sure to use growling sounds that he’ll recognize and understand. Let him sniff first because he'll remember the objects more by scent than by sight. He looks up at you and he is praised. Think of it this way: "No!" means "Don't do that!" whereas "Yack!" means "Don't even think of doing it!" Chit-chat is natural and pleasurable to both of you; but in the beginning, the puppy will only pick up on his name because everyone uses it in connection with things he finds pleasurable - play, food or praise. If you use the word "din-din" many times while fixing his meals, that word will stand out in the midst of a five minute speech on nutrition as a clue to the observant pup that he is about to eat. The human-canine teaching language is based on short, simple words that are consistently applied to specific actions.What this first guided tour also teaches your puppy is the layout of his new home, what it looks like, smells like, even feels like (rugs, carpets, tile, or wood), most importantly, that some things are off limits, even to adorable puppies.

There is one more important lesson he is learning from this adventure: that you are his new Leader, the He or She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed. If you do not take on this role, your new fuzzy puppy will. Somebody's got to do it, and he'll fill the vacancy immediately! You may be familiar with the saying, "Lead, follow or get out of my way." Every dog is born knowing it and continues to live by it!

Once the house tour is over, now it's down to specifics. Show your puppy where his water bowl will always be. Let him investigate his crate. Then take him outside (still on leash) to the exact area where you want him to eliminate. Stand there until he does. (Have patience! He's new at this.) Praise quietly as he goes, after which you can make the same kind of tour outside, with warnings about flower or vegetable beds, bushes or plants. Or you may live in a city and by law must curb your new dog. Be sure to go to the quietest no-parking spot you can find. If you remain on the sidewalk, he will naturally want to join you, so stand down in the street with him. It will take time, plus your casual, confident attitude, to get him used to the noise, the confusion and the speed and size of trucks and taxis. No outside walking tour at this time. Wait until his immunizations are complete, by which time he will also be more accepting of city life.

Note: If the original trip home from where you picked up your puppy took more than an hour, reverse the two "tours" to let the pup eliminate first.

Thought For The Day

Here's something I was sent by my grandparents from Canada. Couldn't help but laugh when I read it...

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have prejudice against creed, colour, religion, or politics,

Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.

Have a great weekend! :D

Have Lawmakers Finally Seen the Light On the Lack of Security On America's Foods?

Due to the seeming increase in such events as E. coli, Salmonella and even the most recent melamine contamination inside America's shores, US lawmakers are pushing a bill that will take all food safety responsibilities and place it under one common federal agency.
After a little bit of my own research, it was quite evident how convoluted and "mismashed" the system really is (I apologize for the technical jargon, but I couldn't quite express it any better way.... hahahaha..) There are currently 12 federal agencies, enforcing 35 laws in keeping our food safe. The two major agencies are the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As described by the article on CNN's website, simply put the USDA is in charge of meats and poultry, and the FDA is in charge of dairy and vegetables.
With over 22 different E. coli breakouts since 1995, and consistent cuts to the agencies budget's, the overall picture is not heartening.
The goal of these lawmakers is embodied in the the Food Safety Act of 2007, the bill that they have introduced, which would create a Food Safety Administration responsible for ensuring the security of the food supply from all forms of contamination.
I agree that something must be done, and while further government awareness is crucial, I don't always believe that new legislation, a brand new behemoth centralized agency, and a pack of concerned lawmakers will cause greater action. I want to believe it will, but you might as well toss a penny in a fountain on Capitol Hill. You might find you get the same results.
Whereas the original design of the Government of the United States of America is to first and foremost protect it's citizens, once again I believe it will be the triumph of the individualistic spirit of each and every American that will ultimately beat this. That is the spirit upon which this great country was founded and grown, and I don't believe that kind of attitude becomes old.
So stay educated. Read about what's going on and protect yourself with a proactive mentality. Don't let yourself become victim to the standards of others. Set your own HIGH standards and hold the rest accountable.

Related News Stories
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/05/17/food.safety.law/index.html

For more information from Brandon James and the Planet-Pets.com team, visit www.planet-pets.com and subscribe to the Internet's most entertaining, comprehensive newsletter, The Scoop.

Menu Foods, Inc. thinks it'll survive, while other US Stock Feed go under the scope...

The legend continues....
Late in May, Menu Foods, Inc. confidently pronounced that they, as a company, will survive this fallout from the recall. Due to company assets and increased lines of credit of over 20 million US dollars, Chief Executive Paul Henderson said on a conference call that they are sure that Menu Foods, Inc. will weather this storm.
You know... He's probably right. But I'm not happy about it. Once again, just to bring in the REAL focus in this story, even though Menu Foods was the company that manufactured the foods, they weren't actually at fault for the tainting of the wheat gluten additive. That responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of our beloved cheap labor, Capitalist-Communist partners, China. The fault for not properly testing the gluten before using it to manufacture the food is where Menu Foods screwed the whole thing up. I, for one, am hoping that this will begin to revolutionize the industry as a whole and make even the "big guys" sit up and realize that it's in their best interest to provide high quality, healthy, REAL food for their clients, America's pets. Because if there's one thing I know about the American market after having watched millions of American's buy a $5 cup of coffee everyday at Starbucks, it's that we are willing to pay whatever price is brought to bare, so long as the value is there. So go ahead "Big guys!" Raise the bar on pet foods, rather than constantly trying to cut corners and offer the lowest possible CRAP.
Another noteworthy story that's surfaced recently is how melamine is being used as a binding agent inside of feed fed to our livestock. Now granted, the industry and US Officials alike insist that it is used in such small quantities that it could not harm the fish or livestock it is being fed to, but you have to think about how all these things are being introduced into the food chain. After all, this is the very food we are feeding ourselves and our children.
I'm just growing tired of all this spinning of stories and heavy handed media "calming." I'm just not convinced that it's all so easy to take when it seems that while the lifespan of the population may be getting longer, I'm not seeing more people living longer, healthier lives. It's just not clicking with me....

Stories
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276835,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May30/0,4670,FDAMelamine,00.html

For more articles and comments from Brandon James, subscribe to Planet-Pets.com's monthly newsletter - The Scoop - click here
http://www.planet-pets.com/

Pet Food Recall Waves Continue...

On March 16th, 2007, Menu Foods Inc., a company out of Ontario, Canada, was forced to issue a nationwide recall on all it's "cuts and gravy" styled foods, manufactured for most of the top brand names on our shelves. The initial echos are still reverberating, now across the globe. In a country where, for all intents and purposes, the pet food industry is allowed to regulate itself, Canadian organizations and citizens alike are angry that there has been no investigatory actions taken. This even 2 months after the recall was announced. Federal Minister of Agriculture Chuck Stahl said four weeks after the initial recall that while the Canadian Government is willing to review whether pet food should be regulated that it doesn't mean that it necessarily will or should be regulated saying that "regulation in the United States didn't prevent the recent deaths of pets from tainted food." Now this being my own opinion, and as flippant as his comment initally appears to be, he's got a point. I always find issue with people out there who automatically think that because a governmental body said they're going to "regulate" an industry, it means that said industry is now squeaky clean. My viewpoint is, for the most part, grandeous bureaucracies are often so large and cumbersome that when and if an event occurs like this recall, they are so slow to action that it's almost farcical. It's often like watching the Titanic turn on a dime. With quite a few class action law suits floating out there on the horizon, the subject of this recall becomes real quite quickly. No matter how much blame or legal action is thrown around, nothing will mend the damage already done. I am truely sorry for anyone who reads this post and has been directly or indirectly affected by this awful event. Unfortunately sometimes it takes a disaster of large proportion like this to wake us out of our day to day monotany, make us sit up and really take an active role in shaping our lives. Not just being victim of circumstance. Most recent list of recalled foods: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/PressRelease05222007.htm Canadian Government Ignores Calls to Investigate Food Industry: http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=653692 Pet Food Recall Widens: http://www.planet-pets.com/petfoodalert.htm www.fda.com

This is far from over...

Does anyone else feel the same way as I do?
When you look at the news and see how this food recall becomes more and more in depth, and how widespread an issue it really is, there's a feeling in your gut that it is FAR from over. As the details are revealed about the careless practice of using gluten and rice protein concentrates in pet foods to boost the protein content, I can't help but wonder. And if you are foolish to think that it is only used in pet foods, you're sadly mistaken.
I have absolutely no doubt that using these types of empty protein % "boosters" in human foods does occur, and although they may not be as detrimental to our health, they don't exactly do us any favours either.
I have been eating a much more organic, holistic diet for the past year and a half. I even worked with a naturopath just a year ago to redesign my diet and get rid of my allergies successfully. I've definitely felt the benefits of it personally.
This is far from over and I know that this recall isn't going away any time soon....

For helpful information to keep your pet happy and healthy, visit our bookstore at http://www.planet-pets.com/ebookstore1.htm

For more articles and comments from Brandon James, subscribe to Planet-Pets.com's monthly newsletter - The Scoop - click here
www.planet-pets.com

Let's just take a second to think about this....

This afternoon, I read a VERY interesting story on Foxnews.com, regarding the percentage of imported food goods that is inspected upon entry to North America. Can you guess what it is? 30%?... nope. 20%?... not even close. 10%? 5%?... not even. 1.3%!!
Let's use a loose comparison to illustrate that.
Out of 100 fish from China, 1 fish and maybe a tail is inspected. Out of 100 eggs, just one plus a yoke is looked over and tested. OR even more absurd would be to think that if you went to a restaurant and only looked at your entree once out of a hundred times, eating whatever it was in front of you, regardless of what it was.
Does that seem ok? Are you kidding me?
With the contaminated wheat gluten coming from China, and increasing demand for imports from China grow, I start to wonder how vulnerable are we?
I like to keep this forum focused on our fuzzy friends, but what more do we owe to our pets than a happy, healthy owner? I think that's the best gift you could give anyone.
I've definitely moved more towards eating greater amounts of organic, locally grown foods in recent years, and I can honestly say that I feel better for it. Whether it's placebo, or just a greater confidence in the quality of the food I'm eating, I'm not sure. Either way, it doesn't really matter to me. I like it. It's not hard to recognize the tell-tale signs that America is growing more and more aware of the growing concerns with our mass produced food systems. Every time you walk past another health food store, Whole Foods, Erewohn, or organic section in your grocery store, you can rest assured that the tides are changing. And it'll never completely go organic, just like Honda will never stop making the Civic model, even though the Accord is clearly a better product. But I digress...

Visit Planet-Pets.com's message forum to discuss this topic further...
http://p075.ezboard.com/bplanetpetspetadvicecommunity

Related Websites:
Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov/
Agriculture Department: http://www.usda.gov/

For more articles and comments from Brandon James, subscribe to Planet-Pets.com's monthly newsletter - The Scoop - click here
www.planet-pets.com

Welcome to Planet-Pets.com Inside Scoop!

Welcome!
I'm so glad you could join me here at Today's Inside Scoop, Planet-Pets.com's official blog, where I, Brandon James, explore the most up-to-date, influential information regarding animals and pets. Together we'll talk about the commmon issues that pet owners have, tips to solve those problems, breaking news, and controversial issues from pet ID chipping to the recent pet food recall and the long term effects on the industry. I want to deliver and discuss the best information I can find to help make your life that much easier with your pet. I like to keep my fingers on the pulse of what's new and what's hot. Enjoy!
Bit about me...
I'm a 27 year old guy living in Los Angeles, California, enjoying the weather, the people and the beautiful things that this state has to offer. Originally from Toronto, Canada, I'm upset by how little ice hockey coverage there is here, but I suppose that goes with the territory.

For more articles and comments from Brandon James, subscribe to Planet-Pets.com's monthly newsletter - The Scoop - click here
www.planet-pets.com