Pet Owning Celebrity Challenge

PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 07, 2008 – Celebrities have the power to demand media attention to public issues.  Many have helped bring awareness to the needs of helpless animals.  We thank you for your voice and your support.  However there is one very conspicuous pet issue that has been denied celebrity support – the safety of pet food.  Pets all over the world need Celebrity support!  Pet Owners all over the world need someone with Celebrity clout to bring media attention to pet food issues that have been ignored for years.  Is any Celebrity willing to take up the fight for pet food safety?

Some reports say the 2007 pet food recall was responsible for the illness and death of over 50,000 pets.  Almost a year has passed since that recall began, yet no rules regarding the future safety of pet food have been established.  Mad Cow Disease has crossed species into cats and minks – yet the FDA allows Specified Risk Materials to be used in pet food and sold as premium or 100% complete nutrition.  Pet food quality control is not mandated by the American Association of Feed Control Officials or the FDA.  It is only recommended and left up to the discretion of each individual manufacturer.  

There are a few pet loving individuals around the world that have tried to bring public awareness to the condition of the pet food industry.  Shocking books have told the story of some pet food manufacturing – ‘Foods Pet’s Die For’ by Ann Martin – is just one example that is based on solid research not speculation.  Harvard Law Student Justine Patrick wrote a compelling paper titled ‘Incestuous Pet Food Regulation Allows Consumers to Feed their Pets Ring Dings and Krispy Kremes’ in 2006.  His paper cites over 300 documents and scientific research.  In 2002 St. Louis television station released a story titled ‘What’s getting into your pets?’ showing footage of a rendering plant that boils down euthanized dogs and cats and suggested the end ingredients are sold to the pet food industry.  Their film provided proof by showing footage of a tanker truck entering the rendering facility with the words ‘Proudly Serving the Pet Food Industry’ blazoned on the side of the truck.  And back in 1995 journalist Van Smith of Baltimore City Paper published an article complete with pictures of a local rendering plant cooking euthanized pets into materials reportedly later used in pet foods.  

Pet food expert and educator Susan Thixton is another individual that is campaigning for pet food safety.  “This started for me over 15 years ago when an eight year old dog died from cancer my vet told me was caused from the chemical preservatives in her food” says Thixton.  “Pet owners just don’t know the differences in pet foods – what’s safe and what’s basically recycled waste.”  Thixton is posing a challenge to Celebrities worldwide, hoping some pet loving celebrities will step forward and take up the cause for pet food safety.  “Celebrities feed their own pets the same foods that all of us do, I’m sure the concern is there – no one wants another recall or to be feeding their pet euthanized animals.  But as history has shown us, without media attention and the on-going public awareness to demand changes – the pet food industry will continue on as it has for years and pets will still be at risk.”  

Celebrity attention to the issues of pet food safety can bring changes that every pet owner will benefit from – including the Celebrity pet owner.  Thixton encourages any and all Celebrity pet owners to learn more about what their pet is consuming.  Her website www.TruthAboutPetFood.com provides a library of pet food safety articles and resources.  Thixton as well promises to provide any celebrity wishing to take up the challenge to make changes in pet food with additional resources if needed.  For more information, contact Susan Thixton at (813) 871-5237 or email at Susan@TruthAboutPetFood.com.  Confidentiality will be respected.