Merry Christmas!

Pet Chicken Jerky Recall Due to Risk of Salmonella

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is announcing a voluntary recall of Joey’s Jerky brand Chicken Jerky due to possible Salmonella risk. A total of 21 people in Merrimack and Hillsborough Counties have been identified with the same strain of the illness, but no deaths have occurred. Joey’s Jerky is produced in New Hampshire and the manufacturer, Kritter’s Kitchen Kreations, LLC, has voluntarily recalled all of the product. Joey’s Jerky was sold at the following six stores: America’s Pet in Hudson, Blue Seal in Bow, K9 Kaos in Dover, Osborne’s Agway in Concord, Sandy’s Pet Food Center in Concord, and The Yellow Dogs Barn in Barrington. DHHS is asking people to check if they have any of these jerky treats at home and to discard them.

Through investigation and interviewing the ill people, the DHHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control determined that the jerky treats were implicated in spreading Salmonella. Confirmation through laboratory testing of the jerky is pending at the New Hampshire Public Health Labs.

Salmonella is a bacterium that causes the diarrheal illness Salmonellosis, which can be serious in some patients. Symptoms also include fever and abdominal cramps within 12-72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts from 4 to 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur that may move to other body sites and in rare cases can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

“While uncommon, pet food and treats can sometimes be contaminated with Salmonella, which is why it is so important for pet owners to wash their hands after handling pet food and treats,”said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. “I want to commend the manufacturer of Joey’s Jerky for their cooperation in this investigation and the epidemiologists here at Public Health for their excellent work. Salmonella can be a serious illness and the sooner the source of an outbreak is identified the sooner it can be stopped.”

For more information on Salmonella, contact the DHHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496 or visit the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/salmonella.

Source:  http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/media/pr/2013/09-sept/09102013recall.htm

Doggy Reminders!

Fall Festival at the Cedar Valley Arboretum

P.E.T. P.A.L.S. is in need of volunteers to work at the Fall Festival at the Cedar Valley Arboretum on Sunday, Sept. 15. This was a really fun event last year - the weather was great and there were lots of booths and vendors. We will need 2 volunteers for each time slot: 10:30 am - 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm . The afternoon time slot will involve tearing down the booth. Volunteers can bring a dog and should remember to wear their P.E.T. P.A.L.S. shirts. If you're interested, please email Kathy at kathymatthias@yahoo.com

Puppy Needs Home! Black Lab

This puppy is needing a home. Please forward to family, friends, neighbors - anyone who may be interested.

Terry's neighbor has an 11-week-old female back lab with papers and her 1st shots.  She does not want her any more. She is free. Please see attached picture.

Contact Terry if you or anyone you know might be interested.

Terry Hertges
319-235-7118 (H)
319-239-6865 (C)
beno08@aol.com

Eukanuba and Iams dog & cat food

Bi-Lo Stores have listed Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Soft & Chewy Dog Treats Beef as a recalled product.  No explanation to why the treat is recalled is provided on the Bi-Lo website.

The Bi-Lo website – under “Product Recalls” states:

Posted August 6, 2013
Product:  Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Soft & Chewy Dog Treats Beef
Size:  8 oz.
UPC: 0-71190-00662
Item Code: 601051
Best Before Dates: All

The Rachael Ray Nutrish website has no information on this recall.  The FDA website has no information on this recall.  It could be a product pull or silent recall.

Rachael Ray Nutrish pet foods and treats are manufactured by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.