Celebrating America's Love Of Mixed-Breed Dogs

(NAPSI)-There's a brand-new playing field for mixed-breed dogs, and it's offering their owners a long-awaited shot of pride.

The American Mutt-i-grees™ Club (AMC) is giving 50 million mixed-breed dogs the voice and the status they deserve. With its own Web site, AMC is committed to changing the perception of mixed breeds and promotes adoption as the responsible way to obtain a pet.

The site was created by the Pet Savers Foundation, the developmental arm of North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. With Kathryn Erbe, co-star of TV's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," serving as spokesperson, AMC registers and provides personalized certificates to mixed-breed dogs.

"People are incredibly proud of their mixed breeds, and the time is right for there to be a way for them to communicate, share ideas and celebrate their choice," says J. John Stevenson, president of NSALA and managing director of the foundation.

Mutt-i-grees "occupy a very different space" from the existing registries and clubs, says Stevenson. "We want to rally the 25 million mixed-breed dog owners, many of whom own more than one dog, to raise awareness and promote regulation to diminish the stronghold of puppy mills and irresponsible breeders."

Stevenson believes AMC will not only be appreciated, but will change, over time, the way many view mixed-breed dogs in general. Mixed breeds make up more than three-fourths of the dogs that enter shelters and are the majority of the more than 3 million dogs euthanized in shelters every year.

The AMC Web site offers expert pet advice, dog adoption referrals, shopping, community and other member benefits. There's also a Mutt-i-grees Clubhouse where kids can log on with an adult and find ways to get involved with the program, even if they don't own a dog.

The Yale University School of the 21st Century is also involved with AMC in developing a Web-based school curriculum concentrating on humane education programs delivered in the context of core subjects, and will extend to community-based preschool and after-school programs.

For more information about American Mutt-i-grees Club, visit www.muttigrees.org.

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Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of Everson, PA Plant Dry Pet Food Product due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Today, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotypeSchwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, 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 be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The company stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29, 2008 when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

Even though no direct link between product produced at Everson and human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility beginning February 18, 2008 until July 29, 2008 when we stopped production.

The company is continuing to work collaboratively with the FDA to determine the nature and source of Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility. Since it has not yet identified the source of the Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility, Mars Petcare US does not plan to resume production out of a commitment to the safety of our pet owners and their pets, customers, and associates.

The top priority of Mars Petcare US has always been and continues to be the health and welfare of pets and their owners. Consumers can continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of the products produced at other Mars Petcare US facilities. Only those products which were produced at the Everson facility are impacted by the voluntary recall.

Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities. A chart for all products is below. For example, PEDIGREE® is manufactured in numerous facilities throughout the country, and Everson represents a very small portion of the manufacturing base – 2.7 percent of total PEDIGREE® production.

Mars Petcare US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com

Please find recalled pet food UPC information below.

The products listed below are made at our Everson facility on behalf of a variety of retailers. All code dates, with the exception of PEDIGREE®, are listed in a similar format as noted below:
Consumers should look for “17” as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

For PEDIGREE® the Everson code date format is as follows:

Consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line – the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets.

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