Camels are coming!

The Camels are coming to spend the night on Sunday, May 13. These camels will be hosted at the home of Dennis and Linda Nebbe by the Nebbe’s and P.E.T. P.A.L.S. and the Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project. The Camels, Sage and Phoenix and their Camel Steward, Stuart, will be traveling from Sacred Camel Gardens (http://sacredcamelgardens.com/) in California to their new home at Green Chimneys Farm (http://www.greenchimneys.org/) in upper New York State.

Visiting with Stuart, the Camel Steward, and with Green Chimneys I know they are planning PR around this event. Stuart welcomes visitors and photographers to see the camels and I will be informing and inviting students, people associated with P.E.T. P.A.L.S. and Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project, and others who are interested as well to meet the camels. (My grandchildren are coming too!  :  ))

Green Chimneys Farm is a residential treatment program for children with special needs. These camels will be Animal-Assisted Therapy Camels and join many other animals that are part of the Green chimneys program. To learn more about this program please go to their web site and to learn more about the camels please go to their web site!  (http://www.greenchimneys.org/)  (http://sacredcamelgardens.com/)

The camels are slated to arrive between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. If you wish to meet the camels, please come between 6:00 and 7:30. You will need to park on the road in from of our home. Also please approach calmly and respectfully! I live at

2027 S. Union Road.

Travel west of UNI on University to the corner of Union Road. Turn south (left) and go .8 of a mile, just past the next intersection.

Some background:

Throughout my professional career, much which has focused on Animal-Assisted Therapy, I have traveled around the country/world and made many friends in the field. I was asked by one of these, Michael Kaufmann now Farm and Wildlife Director at Green Chimneys Farm in New York State, to help them out by offering a place for the camels to spend the night on their trip from California to New York.

In our counseling program here at UNI I teach a class in Animal/Nature Assisted Therapy. The students from that class (in collaboration with community organizations PET PALS and Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project) offer an "Animal Camp" for "children who would benefit" from the experience. The camel visitors are exciting because the camels offer a unique (and I have to say unusual and fun) connection to the larger profession of AAT.

Pet Food Recall

Distributor States Canidae, Natural Balance, and one Wellness Product Recalled

• Written By: Susan Thixton  5-4-2012

he following information was just forwarded to me from an Independent Pet Store - from their Distributor, Phillips Feed and Pet Supply.  As of this posting, this information has not been confirmed on the respective pet food company's websites.  This was from a major pet food distributor, forwarded to me by a caring Independent Pet Food Retailer.  I assume this information will become public soon, and will be posted as soon as I have it.

May 4, 2012

Dear Valued Retailer,
A few brands announced a recall late Friday, May 4th 2012.  We are starting
to get information in and will pass along updates and information as it
becomes available.  The information below is preliminary and each one of the brands below is preparing factual statements and processes and will be loading them on their individual web sites.  Once they have finalized this information, we will also be loading it onto our web site under the forms button for your reference.   

The following brands have issued a voluntary recall.  More information will be following as it is released.

The below Diamond Pet Dry Dog Food Brands - To determine if what you have is
affected, you should check the production codes on the back of bags that
have a number "2" or a "3" in the 9th or 10th digit and an "X" in the 11th digit.
The best-before dates for the recalled brands are December 9, 2012 through
April 7, 2013.  Please note- not all Diamond brands were produced on the affected plant manufacturing lines. Phillips receives products from numerous Diamond plants.  Also, no cat or can skus are affected.

    * Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul - All skus
    * Country Value - All Skus
    * Diamond - All Skus
    * Diamond Naturals - All Skus
    * Premium Edge - All Skus
    * Professional - All Skus
    * Taste of the Wild - All Skus

The below Wellness sku with a Best by Date of January 9, 10, & 11th  2013:

Wellness Large Breed Puppy in 15 pound and 30 pound

May 4th, 2012- No other Wellness skus were affected.

Please note that no salmonella cases have been reported on Wellpet. They are recalling for the safety of the pet and the pet parent.

The below Natural Balance Skus:

5 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; March 12, 2013

15 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013

28 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013; March 7, 2013; March 8, 2013; March 12, 2013

5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog; Best By Date: December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012

15 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog; Best By Date: December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012

28 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog; Best By Date: December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012

5 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog; Best By Date: December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012

15 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog; Best By Date: December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012

28 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog; Best By Date: December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012

5 LB Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog; Best By Date: December 9, 2012

28 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites; Best By Date: December 12, 2012; December 20, 2012; December 21, 2012

5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites; Best By Date: December 21, 2012

12.5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites; Best By Date: December 21, 2012


May 4, 2012- Please note that only these 5 flavors of Natural Balance were affected. The other flavors are produced on other lines and plants.

Please note that no salmonella cases have been reported on Natural Balance. They are recalling for the safety of the pet and the pet parent.

The below Canidae skus with production codes that have both a number "3" in the 9th or 10th digit and an "X" in the 11th digit with a best before dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013 which are being recalled.

Canidae Dog, All Life Stages
Canidae Dog, Chicken Meal & Rice
Canidae Dog, Lamb Meal & Rice
Canidae Dog, Platinum


A message from Canidae:

It is with regret that we are reporting a voluntary recall on a limited production run of CANIDAE dry dog food produced out of the Diamond Pet Foods South Carolina plant. Even though not one of our products have been tested positive for Salmonella, it is out of pure precaution that this product is being removed from the market place. We are working diligently to make this process as seamless as possible for you, our retailers and consumers.

Although there have been no animal or human illnesses related to Canidae Pet Food, and the product has not tested positive for Salmonella, the company has voluntarily initiated this recall out of caution to ensure the health and safety of consumers and their pets.

Following is an example of how to read the production code and best before date:

Production Code                              Best Before Date
FDE0104R5 3X TS                              10 - January - 2013      

The recall affects only products distributed in the following Eastern U.S. states which were manufactured at the Diamond Pet Food Gaston, South Carolina plant. Further distribution to other pet food channels may occur:

Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee

Canidae Pet Foods apologizes for any potential issues this may have caused pet owners and their pets.

To ease this process, a returns/credit form will be posted on our web site soon. The form will request the following information:

Customer Name
Phillips Account Number
UPC
Lot Code
Best by Use Date
Quantity
Phillips Delivery Day
Product Description
Product Size


As of this posting, this information has not been confirmed on the respective pet food company's websites.  This was from a major pet food distributor, forwarded to me by a caring Independent Pet Food Retailer.  I assume this information will become public soon, and will be posted as soon as I have it.

Community Day Booklets: Info

P.E.T. P.A.L.S. will be selling coupon books in Younkers at one of the entrances at the College Square store on Friday, April 27 between 11-1pm and 1-3pm and on Saturday, April 28, between Noon and 2pm and 2-4pm. We haven't been assigned to an entrance yet, but you can say to look for us at a table at one of the doors into the store. There will be other groups selling coupon books, too, so  look for us with our official P.E.T. P.A.L.S. T-shirts on!

Community Day Booklets 2012

Once again, P.E.T. P.A.L.S. will be selling Younkers Community Day coupon books to raise money for our organization.  Since this is one of our main sources of income for the year, we depend on these funds to cover much of our operating expenses.

     This year, Younkers Community Day will be held on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 – adding an extra day to take advantage of their sales and discount coupons.  Each coupon book costs only $5.00 and includes a $10 off coupon and many additional discount coupons.

The best part is that P.E.T. P.A.L.S. gets to keep all of the money from the sale of the booklets!!

     Coupon books will be available for purchase at the Volunteer Appreciation dinner.  Please help us by buying a coupon book.  If you can’t use it, buy it for someone else or buy one or more as a donation to P.E.T. P.A.L.S.!  Those needing coupon books, but are unable to attend the dinner, may contact someone on the advisory board.

Younker's!

Pet Pals volunteer Diane Hensley was at Younker's last Saturday working an entrance selling Community Day coupon books!

RECALL: Diamond's lamb & rice formula

Consumer Contact: 800-442-0402
Media Contact: 816-255-1974

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 06, 2012

Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice. This is being done as a precautionary measure, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond manufactured products are affected.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product, Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice, was distributed to customers located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, who may have further distributed the product to other states, through pet food channels.

Product Name                                    Production Code & “Best Before” Code
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice   6lb      DLR0101D3XALW Best Before 04 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  20lb     DLR0101C31XAG Best Before 03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  40lb     DLR0101C31XMF Best Before 03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  40lb     DLR0101C31XAG Best Before 03 Jan 2013
Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice  40lb     DLR0101D32XMS Best Before 04 Jan 2013

Consumers who have purchased the Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice with the specific production and “Best Before” codes should discontinue feeding the product and discard it.

At Diamond Pet Foods, the safety of our products is our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this recall may have caused. For further information or to obtain a product refund please call us at 800-442-0402 or visit www.diamondpet.com.

Kitty Up 2012