You won't believe this one (from Susan Thixton):

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/evangers-pet-food-owners-accused-of-stealing-2m-in-electric-and-gas.html

Evangers Pet Food Owners accused of stealing $2M in electric and gas

    * Written By: Susan Thixton
    * 3-24-2010
    * Categorized in: Pet Food News

Joel and Holly Shere, owners of Evangers Pet Food Company, have been accused of stealing gas and electric from Commonweath Edison and Nicor according to Cook County state attorney’s office.

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com: "Joel Shere, 54, and his wife Holly, 52, own Evanger's Dog & Cat Food company. For the last several years, investigators have been looking into whether the couple had been stealing from Commonwealth Edison and Nicor, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office.”
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/03/pet-food-firm-owners-accused-of-stealing-2m-in-eletricity-gas.html

Per the above website, the Sheres “not only tampered with a Nicor meter but built a separate pipe to divert the flow of gas prior to reaching the meter.”  “A two-way valve was inserted so that the gas flow could be redirected to the meter when inspections occurred by Nicor.”

The Evangers Pet Food owners also are accused of tapping into main power lines.  “Wires and fuses were attached to the high-voltage wires and then connected to the electric supply insisted the defendant’s company,” prosecutors said.

A former worker for the pet food company alerted Nicor in December 2008; a company worker told ComEd of the tapping of electricity in September 2009.

Bail was set at $250,000 for Joel Shere and $200,000 for Holly Shere in a hearing today (March 24, 2010).  “If Holly Shere is released on bail, she will be allowed to travel to Orlando, FL for a trade show, and to Los Angeles for a Seder celebration for cats and dogs, according to the conditions of bail.”

I will be attending the pet food trade show in Orlando, I’ll be sure to stop by the Evangers Pet Food booth for a statement; of course I'll keep you posted on their response.

 

Bonkers.......thanks for looking around for me.

I went to the FDA website & twice did a search........I am still coming up w/the article from June of last yr where they stopped them from shipping out of state.  You would think if it had been resolved, it would be on their website.  I went to Evanger's website & still could find nothing but I did find this in the comments:

Phyllis Entis said...

    This is not yet over. As of last month (when I checked with FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine), Evanger's is still required to obtain FDA approval for interstate shipment of each individual production lot.

    I don't know whether the delays are due to slow action on the part of Evanger's or the FDA.

    Phyllis
    March 12, 2010 6:40 AM

She is a food safety microbiologist but it doesn't say who she works for.  She interviewed Joel Sher by phone so it appears she doesn't work for Evangers.

I know this is an old thread but I would like to ask if anyone has heard any more about Evangers & the FDA.

I search every now & then & the last thing I come up with is when the FDA stopped them from shipping out of state.  I can't believe it's nearly a yr later & it still stands where it did last yr.

I still buy Party Animal now & then but I am nervous thinking Evangers cans for them.  This is why I'd like to know what's going on.

Anyone??

Any more news on Lydia?  I'm still waiting to hear what the final word is on the biopsy.  Didn't you say some other docs were going to go over it & let you know what they thought???

I've been reading some of the posts here & feel the need to say a couple of things.

I have little or no faith in any PFC after all I've heard & read in the past couple of years.  However, if ever there were a PFC that I would praise & say that I trust about as much as I could ever trust a PFC, it would be Nature's Variety.

I don't work for them nor do I have any stake in the company, I just personally like the way they have been up front & honest each & every time there has been a problem.  They haven't done anything "silently" or tried to keep anything from going public, unlike what just about every other PFC has done at one time or another.

Why this one poster has chosen to go against NV I don't know nor do I care.  I just think that they need to back up what they say w/a link or some other kind of proof.  Just about every forum I have ever joined or posted on has the very same rule:  if you have something bad to say about a company, you need something to back you up before you post.

End of story......

ETA:  I forgot to mention that I feed my precious Hannie NV Instinct & have for a very long time (in rotation w/others but I use this more than any other dry).

RIP sweet little baby.

Therese........lots of hugs go out to you today.  You sure have your hands full right now.

Hugs & sloppy kisses (from Hannie)

Susan Thixton is working on something at TruthaboutPetFood & she needs a form filled out if you lost an animal because of pet food.

All the details are here:

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/coming-soon-the-announcement.html

Not sure what it is but whatever it is will be more powerful the more names that are on there.

I'm posting this because I had two bottles in my house & I'm sure a lot of you do too.  Please pull up the list & check against anything in your medicine cabinet.  This is a major recall & I haven't heard anything about it on the news.  Lots of Tylenol, Motrin & St. Joseph's Aspirin:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm197746.htm

Bummer.......

Apparently, this recall is not yet over:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm193736.htm

Pet Carousel Conducts Nationwide Recall of Beef Hoof Products and Pig Ears Because of Salmonella Risk

 

Company Contact:
Pet Carousel, Inc
800-231-3572

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 9, 2009 – Sanger, CA-- Pet Carousel has initiated a recall of all Pig Ears and all varieties of Beef Hoof pet treats because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The problem was discovered after FDA testing found positive results for Salmonella in pig ears and beef hoof products.
 
These products were recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet food and/or pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.
Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a 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 any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The following products have been recalled: The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight, Pork Tasteez and Pet Carousel
Item No.:


    * 18100-P Bulk     
    * 18016-P 10-pk red mesh bag
    * 18120-P 20-pk red mesh bag.


The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel
Item No.:


    * 1506-K 5 lb. bulk
    * 1507-K 10 lb. bulk
    * 1520-K 20 lb. bulk
    * 12125-T 10-pk vinyl bag
    * 12110-T 10-pk, vinyl bag
    * 12111-T 10-pk, vinyl bag
    * 12122-T 10 lb., bulk
    * 1503-K 3-pk, vinyl bag
    * 1510-K 10-pk ,vinyl bag
    * 1405-S 5 lb., bulk
    * 1408-S 10-pk, vinyl bag
    * 1410-S 10 lb., bulk
    * 1420-S 20 lb., bulk
    * 90058-H Cheese/& Bacon Stuffed Hoof, bulk
    * 90056-H Peanut Butter Stuffed Hoof, bulk
    * 17005-R Rope toy with Hooves.


The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores throughout the country. All sizes and all lots of these pork ears purchased on or after 08/16/2009 and all beef hoof products in all varieties purchased on or after 09/16/2009 made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.

Pet Carousel has completed notifying its consignees and requested the consignees return affected products and remove them from retail sales.  Out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety, Pet Carousel is issuing this press release to inform consumers of potential risks and to ensure that all affected product has either been returned or otherwise removed from use.
Consumers who have purchased the products described above should cease use and return the product to their place of purchase.  Additionally, consumers with questions may contact Pet Carousel at 800-231-3572 from 8:00am to 4:00pm PST.

###

[Lazy Turkey Loaf (for dogs)]

Here's one w/ turkey......great for this time of year.  Got this one from Pet Place:

Lazy Turkey Loaf (for dogs)

Makes 6 servings

2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup cooked vegetables
1 teaspoon garlic powder*
1 egg
1/2 cup quick-cook barley
1 cup quick-cook oats
4 ounces canned no-fat gravy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a mixing bowl combine turkey, vegetables, garlic powder, egg, barley and oats. Mix thoroughly. Spoon into a greased loaf pan and pat down meat mixture until level. Spread gravy on top of loaf and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Cool and cut into six even slices.

Store unused portions in refrigerator.

* Garlic powder in small amounts is not considered dangerous to dogs.


One w/pumpkin (not sure where I got this one):

Pumpkin Cookies

½ cup canned 100% pumpkin (not pie filling)
1-½ cups water
Flour

Mix pumpkin with the water.  Add enough flour to make a soft dough (pliable enough to roll out but not too stiff).  Cut shapes with cookie cutter.  Put in warm oven at 300 for ½ hour.  Turn oven down to 200 & bake an additional ½ hour.  Turn off oven & leave in warm oven to turn crispy or remove if you want them chewy.  Freeze if not used in 3 to 4 days as they will get moldy.

(I might make the pumpkin ones today.......Hannah just loves pumpkin so I know these will be her very best favorites) 

Funny but I was thinking about this just the other day.  I did Google & the only thing I can come up with is from June when the FDA pulled their temp operating permit or whatever that foolish thing is called.  This is the latest thing posted when I Google FDA & Evangers.  I guess we can only assume that this is where it stands right now:

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm166265.htm

June 12, 2009

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today it was suspending the temporary Emergency Permit issued to Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co., Inc.

Evanger's, operating in Wheeling, Illinois, deviated from the prescribed process, equipment, product shipment, and recordkeeping requirements in the production of the company's thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products.  The deviations in their processes and documentation could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as in humans.

In April 2008, Evanger’s was issued an “Order of Need for Emergency Permit” after the agency determined that the company had failed to meet the regulatory requirements to process a product that does not present a health risk.   In June, 2008, FDA issued Evanger’s a temporary Emergency Permit.  During inspections conducted between March 2009 and April 2009, FDA determined Evanger’s was not operating in compliance with the mandatory requirements and conditions of the Temporary Emergency Permit.

“The FDA is stopping Evanger's ability to ship pet food in interstate commerce,” said Dr. Bernadette Dunham. “Today’s enforcement action sends a strong message to manufacturers of pet food that we will take whatever action necessary to keep unsafe products from reaching consumers.”

In order for Evanger's to resume shipping in interstate commerce, the company must document that corrective actions and processing procedures have been implemented to ensure that the finished product will not present a health hazard.

Botulism is a powerful toxin that affects the nervous system and can be fatal. The disease has been documented in dogs and cats. Signs of botulism in animals are progressive muscle paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and progressive weakness to the body. Death is usually due to paralysis of the heart or the muscles used in breathing.

While FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is responsible for regulating all human and animal LACF processing, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine has authority over animal feed and foods.  The two centers are collaborating on this enforcement action.
   

Just found this at Snopes.........cute little Tgiving stories:

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/thanksgiving/cooking.asp

Hope all of you have a very happy Thanksgiving!

GSDMom:

I've been waiting for an update.......what's going on?  Is Hannah better?  Any more info from your vet on what it might be? 

Please give us an update.

My dog is also Hannah.......so I'll never forget your dog's name........

Hope everything is ok.

I just happened upon this quote in an article on saving money on pet care on Pet Connection.  This is news to me........scary too because everyone I know, including me, uses this for their dog:

"Moderator Darlene Arden notes that the formulas have changed for Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate have changed and are no longer safe for pets."

Here is where I found this (second article):

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/

Anyone know any more about this??

MissK:

I was going to reply to your question & tell you that your best bet is to call the pfc directly & ask them any questions you might have about their food.  Then this morning I read this article by Susan Thixton........I think this answers your question & then some:

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/506/1/What-we-have-to-go-through-to-get-the-Truth/Page1.html

Sometimes difficult to get answers to your questions but it won't hurt to try!  May take more than one email but it pays to be persistent.

Good luck!