So, in a related note to the one below about contacting Nutro, my dad also sent a note to IAMS/Eukanuba about the PETA site. . . Well, dad received a standard public relations note back from IAMS as a result. I’m pretty sure it was an automatically generated message given that my dad’s email address wasn’t in the TO: field.

Here’s what they say. Who do you believe? He said/She said. . . I don’t think “Tina” is her real name, either! But, I’m glad to hear that by Oct. 2006 (why not sooner?), IAMS will no longer have studies outside of the 3 types of organizations cited below. .

——————————-

Thank you for taking the time to contact us about our nutritional feeding
studies. You’ve received some incorrect and outdated information. An extreme
activist organization continues a misleading campaign featuring footage
that’s more than a year and a half old of a facility we no longer use. This
inaccurate account includes examples of dogs and cats that were not part of
our studies, and makes claims of activities that we never authorized.

We want to be perfectly clear: we will not fund or participate in any study
requiring or resulting in the euthanasia of cats or dogs. This principle is
just one of eight points in our strict research policy that is approved by
an independent Animal Care Advisory Board. The members of our Advisory Board
are from respected animal welfare organizations such as the ASPCA and the
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). We chose these individuals
because they share our interest in reducing, refining, and replacing animals
in research.

In addition, the Advisory Board conducts unannounced visits to review the
care and welfare of the dogs and cats participating in our feeding studies
at our internal and external sites.

To see a summary of recent facility reports, to view video footage of
animals in our care, or to review our research policy, please visit our web
site at www.iamstruth.com .

You can also see a facility report by utilizing the following URL:
www.aspca.org/iams

Other important information we’d like to share:

* We support the ultimate elimination of laboratory feeding studies as
scientifically valid alternatives become available. We have appointed Dr.
Len Sauers to lead the development of alternatives to dog and cat feeding
studies. Many don’t know that beyond a few palatability (taste) studies, no
other in-home nutritional feeding study methods have been validated. We
already use 17 alternative methods, including a non-animal option for
gastrointestinal studies and a non-animal method for measuring tartar
build-up.

* We are taking full responsibility for the destiny of all dogs and
cats that participate in our feeding studies at both internal and external
sites. Our dogs and cats are adopted into loving homes when their help is no
longer needed, including our retirement facility, which is a place where
they can live their lives happily with love and affection from their human
counterparts. We know of no other company that is taking this level of
responsibility for the ongoing well-being of all the dogs and cats they work
with.

* By October 2006 we will transition our nutritional feeding studies
to be limited to three locations for feeding studies: in pet owners’ homes,
at the Iams Pet Health and Nutrition center, and in organizations, like
animal shelters and groups that provide assistance dogs to people in need.
We are making a significant investment in new facilities at our Pet Health
and Nutrition Center, which will enable us to create an ideal environment
while ensuring the care and welfare of the dogs and cats who help us in our
feeding studies.

* We are proactively sharing the Iams Welfare Program for dogs and
cats in an effort to make it the norm. An Iams Behaviorist has shared our
socialization and enrichment program with shelters, veterinarians and others
to illustrate that it’s possible to enrich and socialize in such an
environment. In addition, we recently presented our program to others in the
pet food industry. We are committed to continual improvement in this area
and are looking to adopt best practices in animal care and nutritional
research wherever they are created. We will continue to actively search and
reapply good ideas from around the world.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us and for giving us the
opportunity to respond with the facts. If you need further information or
have specific questions, please visit the Web site or contact Consumer Care
at 800-525-4267. One of our advisors will be more than happy to speak with
you about this very important issue.

Sincerely,
Tina
Iams Consumer Care, North America

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