SAVING MARLEY

On December 25th, the much-anticipated movie “Marley and Me” makes its debut in movie theaters

across the country. Having read (and absolutely loved) the book, I will be one of the first in line for my

ticket. It is with mixed emotions, however.

As a volunteer with Southern Illinois Pet Society in Villa Ridge (a local no-kill pet rescue organization), my

thoughts turn to the thousands of little “Marleys” that will be bred in sleazy puppy mills to cash in on the

movie’s success. The thousands of little “Marleys” that will be taken home with joy then cast out weeks or

months later because their owners hadn’t thought through the life-long responsibility of owning a dog.

“Marley” will eat too much, poop too much, bark too much, chew up too much, and generally just not

work out. So off to the nearest overflowing shelter he will go, where along with countless other unwanted animals he will either live out a life of loneliness behind bars or be euthanized, his body tossed in a pile like trash.

This holiday season, I beg anyone considering adding a pet to their family to think long and hard. Animals

are not disposable toys, they are living creatures just like us that feel deeply sadness, grief and suffering.

And before buying that “designer” dog, or cat at the very least just visit a shelter. Walk up and down row upon row of cages, look into those beautiful faces, and consider rescuing a shelter dog instead.

There is a human being to be held accountable for every animal that is abandoned, abused, spending its existence in a small shelter cage, or put to death because there is no more room or no more money to feed them or treat their sickness or injuries. Please be a responsible pet owner: spay and neuter your pets as soon as possible, and treat them with love and respect as a member of your family. Always consider adoption, and support your local no-kill shelter in any way you possibly can by donating money or supplies, or volunteering your time. No donation is too small.

As do the many other no-kill shelters in the area, Southern Illinois Pet Society works tirelessly to save

hundreds and hundreds of unwanted, abandoned, injured and abused pets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year on very meager funds with just a handful of dedicated volunteers. SIPS receives no help from state or federal programs, grants, or big corporations. Monumental feed and vet bills grow daily. Needless to say, tax-deductible donations would be appreciated beyond words. Contact: Southern Illinois Pet Society at 618/342-6675 or online at www.southernillinoispetsociety.org .

Teri Kessinger Clarke

Jonesboro, IL

Preliminary Animal Health Notification

December 19, 2008

FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.

FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.

FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state.

Source: FDA

http://www.fda.gov/cvm/ComplaintsChicJerky.htm

Important Alert! Marion, IL area:

Marion shocked by mutilation of dog

By John D. Homan, The Southern

Friday, December 19, 2008 10:48 PM CST

MARION - Animal control officers were alerted to a gruesome discovery Friday morning when they were called to West Prairie Street on Marion's southwest side.

The mutilated remains of a young dog had been discarded between the street and sidewalk. Body parts had been cut off and the outer skin removed.

Animal control officer Bobbi Yingling said she had never seen anything like it before and hopes never to again.

"It's sick," she said. "The dog was skinned like a deer. I don't see how anybody could sleep at night knowing they had done this to a dog. This is the reason I got into animal control - to try and prevent this kind of thing from ever happening. I will not stop until I find out who did this."

Police officer John Mahan said, as a hunter, he is accustomed to seeing wild animals skinned, but it's much different with a dog.

"I'm definitely not accustomed to this. Imagine if some children had seen this on the way to school. This kind of thing never needs to happen again."

Mahan said residents in the neighborhood were questioned but none reported a missing dog. It's likely, he said, that the skinning occurred elsewhere and that the carcass was simply thrown into the street by a passing motorist.

Resident Brandy Rogers made the discovery when she was walking her dogs Friday morning.

"I first spotted something a little after 6 when it was still dark, so I just figured it had been hit by a car. But after I thought about it a little, I couldn't figure out why it looked shiny. So when it got light outside, I went back and saw what had happened. It's the worst thing I've seen with my own eyes."

Marion safety director Bruce Carter said a reward will be offered for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the crime. Residents are urged to call the police department at 993-2124.

The Human Society of the United States has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the prosecution of whoever mutilated the animal.

Jordan Matyas
Illinois State Director
Humane Society of the United States
333 W. North Avenue, 259, Chicago IL 60610
Office: 312.643.0339
Cell: 312.206.2646
Fax: 312.277.7199
Email: jmatyas@hsus.org