FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 15, 2010 – Buffalo, NY – Feline’s Pride is expanding its July 1, 2010 voluntary recall of Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced on 6/10/10 to include the product produced on 6/21/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product.

When consumed by humans, Salmonella can cause an infection, salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, minimal diarrhea, fever, and headache. Certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to acquiring salmonellosis from such pet food products and may experience more severe symptoms.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about 1 week. The firm manufactures the pet food by an as-ordered basis. This expansion of the recall affects those orders placed and shipped from June 21 through June 26, 2010 (produced on 6/21/10).

The firm and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health.

To date, both the firm and the FDA have received no reports of Salmonella infection relating to this product.

People who are experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.

People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the pet food – especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish — to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling pet foods, but by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.

Since certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly at risk from exposure they should avoid handling this product.

Consumers with questions should contact the company at (716) 580-3096, Monday -Friday from 10 am – 4 pm EDT.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2010 – Buffalo, NY – Feline’s Pride is announcing a voluntary recall of Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced on 6/10/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product.

When consumed by humans, Salmonella can cause an infection, salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, minimal diarrhea, fever, and headache. Certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to acquiring salmonellosis from such pet food products and may experience more severe symptoms.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about 1 week. The firm manufactures the pet food by an as-ordered basis. This recall affects only those orders placed and shipped from June 10 through June 17, 2010.

The firm and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health.

To date, both the firm and the FDA have received no reports of Salmonella infection relating to this product.

This product should not be fed to pets but should instead be disposed of in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). People who are experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.

People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the pet food – especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish — to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling pet foods, but by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.

Since certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly at risk from exposure they should avoid handling this product.

Consumers with questions should contact the company at (716) 580-3096, Monday –Friday from 10 am – 4 pm EDT.

In a world revolving around technology and social media, it should come as no surprise that our pets are soon to follow suit. With social media networking sites for pets already in place, what’s next?

Here’s a look at some pets in social media updates.

Twitter Technology for Cats

Scientists at Sony Computer Science laboratories have developed a “lifelogging” device that will allow cats to create tweets based on their activities.

This device was created by Sony Computer Science laboratories along with the University of Tokyo. Weighing a maximum of five percent of the cat’s weight, the device is worn like a collar so it will not make the cat uncomfortable.

The life-logging device is made up of a camera, an acceleration sensor, a GPS and other various types of equipment used to track activities. The data that is collected is then transmitted to a computer through a Bluetooth connection in the device. Once the data is transmitted, the data is turned into posts on Twitter such as “Yum!” when the cat is eating. The software currently has 11 fixed phrases.

Guess what it’s called?
A Cat@Log!

BarkWorld Expo: Social Media Conference for the Online Pet Community

Regardless of when this new technology comes out, many people have just been tweeting for their pets. There is even a convention for social-media-savvy pet owners called BarkWorld Expo. This year, the expo and Anipal Tweetup will take place August 20-22 in Atlanta, Georgia.  For one weekend, the online pet community will hear from social media and pet experts.

“I created BarkWorld because as a new pet owner I was struggling on how to be part of the online conversation and how to find useful information about pet products and services,” says BarkWorld Expo founder Denise Quashie.  “Once my dog, Frankie Beans, started tweeting I was thrown into a virtual world of charity fundraisers, doggy birthday parties, dog vs. cat banters and a lot of really funny, creative tweets.  My goal was to find a way to take this online concept to the next level, engage the local community, animal enthusiasts and pet-care businesses to create a truly focused pet conference and expo.”

If your pet doesn’t yet blog or have social media profiles, what are waiting for? Personally, I’d love to see the world from my pets’ point of views, though I’m not sure they need to tweet when they’re eating. And maybe we’ll run into you at the BarkWorld Expo next month in Atlanta, Georgia!

Merrick Pet Care Recalls Beef Filet Squares 10oz Bag (Item #60016 Lot # 10084TL7 Best By March 24, 2012) Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 2, 2010 – Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling 86 cases of its 10oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” pet treats (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Beef Filet Squares were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

The treats are sold in 10oz plastic bags marked with “Lot # 10084TL7 Best By Mar 24, 2012” on the top of the bag and on a sticker applied to the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date. FDA collected a surveillance sample of “Merrick Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” (lot #10084TL7) which were purchased from a retail store. The sample tested positive for Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — June 18, 2010 – Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., of Pacoima, CA, announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, in 5-lb. and 28-lb. bags because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution based on an isolated instance in which a product sample with a “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product was originally manufactured on December 17, 2009, and is the only Natural Balance product being recalled.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. This product was manufactured on December 17, 2009.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Recalled products were only distributed in pet specialty stores in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The only product affected by the recall is the Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, product information as follows:

Consumers who have purchased Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog formula with the “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. A separate letter and instructions will be forwarded to all relevant Natural Balance customers. For additional information, please contact Natural Balance Pet Foods Customer Service at (800) 829-4493 (8am – 5pm, PDT) or by visiting www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

June 22, 2010 – United Pet Group, Cincinnati, Ohio is voluntarily recalling all unexpired lots of its PRO-PET ADULT DAILY VITAMIN Supplement tablets for Dogs due to possible Salmonella contamination. The Food and Drug Administration is aware of this recall.

The product was sold nationally at various retailers. The product comes in 100-count white plastic bottles with a light blue label, and UPC code 26851-01800. These products are being removed from retail stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets. The affected products are those with expiration dates on or before “06/13″. The expiration date can be found imprinted vertically on the right side of the product label.

Laboratory testing has revealed that one Lot of this vitamin product was contaminated with Salmonella. The company is recalling all unexpired Lots of the product out of an abundance of caution.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

People who handle dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to contact United Pet Group or the place of purchase for further direction. Consumers may contact United Pet Group at 1-800-645-5154 ext. 3, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – CINCINNATI, June 9, 2010 – The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its Iams canned cat food in North America as a precautionary measure. Diagnostic testing indicated that the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential for cats. Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency.

The following Iams canned cat foods are included in the recall:

Product Name – Iams ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten Food – all varieties of 3 oz & 5.5 oz cans
Date on Bottom of Can – 09/2011 to 06/2012

This recall is limited to only Iams canned cat food distributed in North America. No other Iams pet food is involved.

Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

Consumers who have purchased canned cat food with these codes should discard it. For further information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST).

Company’s commitment to America’s pet community continues

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 17, 2010 ? BISSELL Homecare, Inc. today announced the winners of its third annual Most Valuable Pet (MVP) Contest. Gracey, a mixed domestic short-hair feline, triumphed over nearly 50,000 entrants to claim the title of 2010 MVP Grand Prize Winner. This year’s runners-up prizes were awarded to Chocolate Long Hair Dapple Dachshund, Rainbow Diamond; Marbled Bengal feline, Bianca; Scooter, an Old English Sheepdog; and Bear, a Huskie mix. Jamie, a Basset Hound, was also honored with an additional prize.

From January through March, pet owners submitted photos of their four-legged friends and campaigned for the title of Most Valuable Pet for the chance to be featured on BISSELL pet product packaging. The grand prize winner will also receive $10,000 for the pet cause of their choice, plus a $500 “Perfect For You And Your Pet” shopping spree. Runners up will be awarded an additional $8,000 to benefit their pets’ favorite causes.

“Our furry friends are the inspiration behind our products and we enjoy capturing and showcasing the passion and love for America’s pets through the MVP contest,” says Jim Krzeminski, BISSELL’s executive vice president and chief customer officer. “As pet owners ourselves, we are aware of the numerous pet programs and charities that exist, their wonderful work and the help they need to continue their meaningful efforts. The MVP contest always brings out the passion pet lovers have for their favorite charities, and we are honored to reward their dedication.”

That’s why BISSELL is once again honoring the value of pets by awarding an additional prize to one of the semifinalists. In 2008, BISSELL recognized the outstanding campaigns of dogs Bailey and Dash with donations to their favorite charities. And when BISSELL learned that additional funding was needed to help the recipients of the 2009 Grand Prize obtain an assistance dog, the winners were surprised with the full amount needed.

The entrants in the 2010 Most Valuable Pet Contest overwhelmed the judges with stories of pets who have conquered illnesses and injuries, capturing the hearts of their communities. In recognition of these pets, BISSELL is awarding Jamie – the first place winner in week 11 – with an Honorable Mention, and a $1,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

Grand Prize: Gracey
Grand prize winner, Gracey, from New Lexington, Ohio was not yet weaned when she was abandoned as a kitten at a local dog pound and suffers from allergies and digestive issues that require special food. With the love and care of her pet parents, Joanne McGonagle and Paul Dusenberry, she has blossomed into a beautiful and playful feline who enjoys throwing dirt out of a fig tree planter. Gracey is the inspiration behind the children’s book The Tiniest Tiger and the Conservation Cub Club, a feline education and support community.

Joanne plans to donate the $10,000 grand prize to PurrEver Ranch Sanctuary, a non-profit hospice for senior and special needs cats living with disease or behavior issues. It is one of a very few feline-specific hospices. Gracey and Joanne once shared their home with Hazel, a 19-year old domestic short-hair feline. Caring for Hazel during her final senior years and managing Gracey’s health challenges helped Joanne understand and appreciate PurrEver Ranch’s commitment to supporting cats with special needs. The Somerville Tennessee Ranch, which was founded by Rita Wood, will use the money to secure permanent housing for and continue to care for cats. Gracey will be featured on the Pet Hair Eraser Corded Hand Vacuum.

Second Place: Rainbow Diamond
Rainbow Diamond, a Chocolate Long Hair Dapple Dachshund and the second prize winner from San Antonio, Texas was rescued from a breeding mill. At the time, Holly and Sean Hirshberg took her in as a foster pet but soon fell in love with her and made her a permanent member of their family. Rainbow Diamond loves to tear up paper and has a goofy sense of humor. She shares her home with several other dogs from Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas, the non-profit organization that rescued her and the recipient of her $5,000 prize. Rainbow Diamond will star on the packaging for the SpotBot Pet.

Third Place: Bianca
Bianca is a Marbled Bengal cat, a descendant of a cross between an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic cat. She lives in Dennis Port, Mass. with her brother, a brown spotted Bengal, and two additional felines. She loves to stand on her owner’s lap, dancing and purring, or zoom around the house, chasing her brother, Bela. Bianca’s pet parent, Marcia Martin, works closely with the Bengal Rescue Network’s foster caregivers. She will be donating the $1,000 prize money to this non-profit group, which is dedicated to the health, welfare and happiness of the Bengal breed. Look for Bianca on the SpotBot Pet.

Fourth Place: Scooter
Always enthusiastic and ready to go, Scooter, an Old English Sheepdog, lives in Daytona Beach, Fla. He lives with his older brother, Nikki, and a cat named Bitsy. Scooter’s parents, Dan Rubin and Linda Allen, made the trip to Knoxville, Tenn. to rescue him and brought him home on Thanksgiving Day, the day they celebrate his birthday. Scooter’s $1,000 prize will be donated to Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare, a non-profit corporation dedicated to reducing animal overpopulation. Scooter will be starring on the Powergroom Pet vacuum.

Fifth Place: Bear
Bear, a Huskie mix from Carol Stream, Ill, loves to sleep on the couch and chew on squeaky toys. He shares his home with Zeus, a black Lab Greyhound mix, and Crash, a Great Pyrenees mix. Bear’s pet parent, Christopher Kane, will donate the $1,000 prize money to Friends of DuPage County Animal Care & Control, the shelter from which Bear was adopted. Bear will be featured on the Pet Hair Eraser vacuum.

Honorable Mention: Jamie
A Basset Hound with a sweet disposition, Jamie, from Las Vegas loves to eat homemade dog biscuits. Eight-year old Jamie, who lost her sight due to glaucoma, lives with her Basset siblings, a Golden Retriever and her pet parents, Mary Calabray and Wayne Roewer. Jamie’s $1,000 prize money will be donated to Las Vegas Basset Rescue, the non-profit organization from which she was adopted.

BISSELL supports the pet community through partnerships with pet adoption organizations like Petfinder, the Kent County Humane Society, LostPetUSA.net and North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), and by sponsoring such events as Furry Scurry, BlockTail Party? and NSALA’s Adoptathon. The company is committed to providing pet owners with effective, easy-to-use pet clean-up products. For information on the complete line up of BISSELL pet products, cleaning tips and more, visit the online Pet Lovers Community at www.bissell.com/pets.

About BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
A 134-year-old company, Grand Rapids-based BISSELL Homecare, Inc., is the top-selling brand in floor care appliances in North America with an expanding presence worldwide. As an innovator of cleaning products, BISSELL produces and sells vacuums, sweepers, deep-cleaning machines, bare floor cleaners and cleaning formulas at retail locations across the globe. The company is in its fourth generation of family leadership.

Watch Gracey’s Photo Shoot: