Diamond Pet Foods Announces Recall of Premium Edge Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat Food

Yet another pet food recall, this time over improper levels of thiamine.

Diamond Pet Foods Announces Recall of Premium Edge Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat Food

Supervisor Maben secures additional spay/neuter funding

Supervisor Don Maben has secured an additional $50,000 in spay/neuter voucher funds for Kern County. Kern County Animal Control will once again take applications for vouchers for low-income residents of Kern County.

This is simply wonderful news. We need all the help we can get in Kern County to reduce the number of animals being born, and I believe that there are folks here who would love to have their animals altered, but simply don't have the funds to do so.

Also, the County now has fliers in both English and Spanish to assist in educating people about their spay/neuter options (might I add --- "Finally").

Anyone wishing to thank Supervisor Maben may do so at mabend@co.kern.ca.us or by mail at 1115 Truxtun Ave., 5th Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Imperfect pet owner seeks perfect adopter

Following is a recent post that appeared on Craigslist, clearly written by someone frustrated by all of the ads for rehoming found on the site. I thought it was worth repeating.

I wanted a pet, so I got one. But I am tired of taking care of it, and paying for it. I might even be moving, in which case I would have to pay a pet deposit or spend an extra 30 seconds planning how to take along my pet. Maybe I decided to have a baby or get a boyfriend (or girlfriend). Anyhow, I don't want my pet anymore. Oh wait, that sounds every bit as selfish as I am. I mean, I can't keep my pet. Yeah, that's it. Oh allergies- YES, I suddenly got allergies. No one will question that.

Now about my pet. I've had it since it was a kitten (or pup, or egg if reptilian) and now it's middle aged, the age NO ONE wants to adopt, but didn't you see- I need someone to take care of it.

Anyhow, since this process will be very upsetting for my formerly precious pet (and because I may feel an inkling of guilt) I want the adopter to give it a home where there are no other pets, so it doesn't have to share your affections (even though I've been ignoring it for months). Now let me tell you how sweet, lovable, and darling he/she is. Also, allow me to fail to mention that he/she has a urination issue when scared, or he/she eat sofas, etc.

Oh, and I think you should pay a fee to show you're capable of buying cat food. And plus I spent money on it 8 years ago and heck I can get a few boxes of diapers for the baby with that cash.

Besides, everyone knows that you can tell a person who's taking your pet to be a test lab subject by whether or not they'll shell out $50. If my pet is purebred, I will likely try to charge you hundreds. Because I spend hundreds and this is a very valuable pet. I just don't want it anymore. But YOU should want it enough to help me recoup my original purchase price.

Now, I hope you'll take it right to the vet, because he/she is behind on shots. And was never spayed/neutered. And make sure it gets premium food and all the things it deserves, but I am too selfish to even continue to care for it. And remember, this is a commitment- you better not take it and then change your mind ever because only I can do that. Now that I dumped him/her on you, he/she is too traumatized to ever face that again.

Last of all, I will now close by telling you that I need this person who takes over my responsibility to come along quickly, because otherwise I *may* have to take him/her to the pound. I probably won't, but that threat is sure to scare someone into hurrying up and taking over my responsibility.

Adorable adoption commercial

One of the cutest adoption commercials I've seen in ages! This ought to be a national campaign.

FDA expands warning on Pet Carousel products

The FDA has issued an updated advisory on Pet Carousel treats to include avoiding both beef hooves and pig ears processed by the facility, due to possible salmonella contamination.

The full release can be found here.

PetSmart Voluntarily Recalls Dentley's Beef Hooves

PetSmart is voluntarily recalling two Dentley's Beef Hoof products for potential salmonella contamination. The products were manufactured by Pet Carousel, Inc. in Sanger, Calif.

The recalled products include only the following types of Dentley's Beef Hooves purchased between Oct. 2, 2009 and Nov. 3, 2009:

Dentley's Bulk Cattle Hoof UPC# 73725703323
Dentley's 10 Pack Beef Hooves UPC# 73725736055

No other products are included in this recall.

For the full FDA release click here.

Swine flu confirmed in cat

From the Associated Press

The swine flu virus has been confirmed in a cat treated at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Officials said Wednesday it's the first known case of the virus to be diagnosed in a cat. Veterinarians say the virus has also been confirmed in two ferrets, one in Oregon and the other in Nebraska.

The 13-year-old cat was treated in Ames, Iowa, and is recovering.

The veterinarian who treated the cat, Dr. Brett Sponseller, says two of the three people in the same house had flu-like symptoms before the cat became ill.

The case was confirmed at both Iowa State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sponseller says the flu is known to spread from humans to pets, but this is the first case of swine flu to spread to a cat.