Cat deaths linked to Orijen

[GreyGhost]

Definitely going in the right direction.

[Perseus]

TCM, I have to say I really admire you for all your persistence.  The world would be a much better and safer place if there were a few more of you around.

There are many people here at TPFL that are making major contributions to keep everyone informed especially of late with so many varying problems and tragedies going on.  So I thank you all, too.

I'm so glad to hear so many kitties have improved!

[The Cats Mother]

Thank you Perseus. The response to the call for support I made in January was good, many hands make light work as they say. We had a cohesive approach when we needed it most.

It didn't feel like light work though and there is much still to be done. I'm continuing to do what I can in line with my original strategy, working independently. You know what they say, plan your work and work your plan. I didn't expect an early outcome such as this, this moves things on to a different level. I've had good feedback from Food Irradiation Watch Australia, AQIS, and other industry/interest groups about this outcome so far.  The push will continue for a full review of safety and labelling of pet food, animal feed (which eventually makes its way into the human food chain) and human foods. I believed the cats were just the canary in the coal mine and the more I read and learn, the more I believe this.

Please take care everyone, and hug your pets close. The only person that really cares about their wellbeing is you.

[maxymia]

Champion have revamped their website and have removed all of their updates in regard to the problems with Orijen in Australia. There is no mention of the recall or the compassion fund to be found anywhere along with no mention of dealing with any new cases.  How these new cases will be notified, I have absolutely no idea.  I find this appalling given that it has only been a couple of weeks since the last case came to light. Three separate owners had no idea about the recall until a few weeks ago so who is to say there aren't any more people in Australia feeding this food that have no idea of any problems. It really seems to me that Champion can't wait to put this all behind them and get on with their new product. I do not say this often but Champion petfoods honestly disgust me. I would like to ask anyone that feels strongly about this to please contact Champion and let them know the importance of leaving all of the updates on their website until we are certain that no other cases will occur.

On another note feedback about the recent cat food irradiation ban has been very favorable. Dr. Georgina Child, the Australian Veterinary Association and the RSPCA feel very strongly about extending the ban to all pet food and  will continue to lobby the Australian Government as will we. So we are now into the next phase and hope we will have more good news soon

[The Cats Mother]

ABCRadio National Breakfast Programme interviewed Dr Georgina Child on 2nd June:

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2009/2586686.htm

The RSPCA has placed a statement on their website with a link to Minister Burke for those that wish to add their support:

http://www.rspca.org.au/news/cat-food-made-safer.html

[Perseus]

Champion have revamped their website and have removed all of their updates in regard to the problems with Orijen in Australia. There is no mention of the recall or the compassion fund to be found anywhere along with no mention of dealing with any new cases.  How these new cases will be notified, I have absolutely no idea.  I find this appalling given that it has only been a couple of weeks since the last case came to light. Three separate owners had no idea about the recall until a few weeks ago so who is to say there aren't any more people in Australia feeding this food that have no idea of any problems. It really seems to me that Champion can't wait to put this all behind them and get on with their new product. I do not say this often but Champion petfoods honestly disgust me. I would like to ask anyone that feels strongly about this to please contact Champion and let them know the importance of leaving all of the updates on their website until we are certain that no other cases will occur.

maxymia, this is disturbing to hear.  I can't understand why Champion would remove it as it only has the potential to harm more kitties.  Do you have any email addresses for the chumps at Champion?  I know Peter made it public a while ago but I can't find it.  Or anyone else we could email, if you can provide that would be great.

[GreyGhost]

Champion removed it for damage control. They want everyone to forget. The less information available is better for them. The main reason we need to keep it forefront. They pissed me off a long ago and continue to do so. Disgust and anger are the tip of the iceberg. Those people remind me of a maggot.

[maxymia]

Persues I have emailed you

GreyGhost Your words mirror my feelings exactly. It will be kept in the forefront, a couple of us are making sure of that, will let you know more soon. It really is so irresponsible for the manufacturer of a product, that is still causing illness and death, to remove all information regarding a recall. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we heard there are still people in Australia feeding this food and unaware of the recall. This move by Champion is just so wrong on so many levels. They keep claiming they care about our pets but this move shows that all they care about is their bank balance IMO.

Champion have already received emails in regard to this and I will definitely let you all know if and how they respond.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support, you guys rock. Best wishes to you and all of your fluffy babies.

[raggiesrule]

And today yet another victim of Champion foods & Orijen.

Our darling Hali who has fought the effects of Orijen for 11 mths has lost the battle she so valiantly fought. Our sweet little cat who refused to give in finally faced a challenge her frail little body could not surmount. This is the second cat we have lost due to Orijen and I pray the last.

Champion food executives might want this to go away but it can not whilst ever our cats are sick and still dying despite months of treatment and significant recovery. The compassion fund closed 31st May - treatment and expenses for our cats certainly did not stop then and will not be stopping anytime in the forseeable future. So easy for Champion to walk away and leave us to deal with the consequences of their negligence.

Jo

[Bonkers]

  raggiesrule, My heart is aching upon hearing of the passing of your precious Hali. I am so very sorry.  You are right, Champion may want this to all go away, but as long as there are those who suffered like yourself, it will not be forgotten.

[maxymia]

Jo, I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your sweet little Hali. Her courageous fight will never be forgotten, I will make sure of it. Champion may think they can walk away but while our hearts are still breaking due to their negligence we will not let them. For the sake of brave little Hali and all the other cats who have had their lives cut so tragically short we can't let them

[Frosty]

I'm so sorry that sweet Hali is at the bridge now. She fought a good fight, but now she is pain free.

[The Cats Mother]

Irradiated dog food to be labelled - to be formally announced on AQIS website

To read formal letter from AQIS re cat food irradiation ban and move to label irradiated dog food as unsuitable for cats please follow link below:

http://www.box.net/shared/s1q3dafghc



R.I.P. Hali ... and all who have gone before you. Too late for you, but you have helped future cats.

[5CatMom]

Raggiesrule,

So sorry to hear about sweet Hali.  She has lots of good company in kitty heaven, that's for sure.

[maxymia]

Another precious fluffy baby has lost his battle with the Orijen illness. Rosella's Gus has gone.

There are still cats that have not shown a great improvement as well as cats relapsing and sadly some that are still losing their battle. This is far from over for us however Champion thinks it is appropriate to keep the cut off date at 31st May 2009 for any claims. An owner whose cat is still far from being recovered emailed Champion in regard to further compensation and received this heartless response

Thank you for your email. I am sorry but the cut off date for all applications was May 31st. We are still waiting for all the applications to come in. At this time I do not know if an extension will be put in place. If there are any updates everyone that has applied will be notified.

I sent my claim in with copies  of all receipts signed by my vet and received a cheque that was $300.00 short.  There was no letter or breakdown of what was paid and what they declined just an envelope and a cheque. Who the hell sends a cheque without any documentation of who it is from and what it is for and more importantly who do they think they are going against what my vet has signed for. They have not seen my cats or treated my cats, my vet has. This whole time I have never said this but I strongly recommend to boycott this company. They have given us lies after lies about what they are going to do. It is Champions product and negligence to work closely with their importer and to check what was being signed, that has put us where we are and now they are leaving us to pick up the pieces. We were told that the 'Compassion Fund' would be reviewed in June and now an owner has just received the above email. Champion Petfoods is a heartless and disgusting company that will not take responsibility of their product, They DO NOT care about our pets as they constantly state.