Hi friends!

We've got some new and exciting things happening at A4A! We're happy to announce that we now carry foods from Feed This Inc- individually packaged grain-free raw food and bones. Also, our friends at Animal Dental Care will be offering anesthesia-free dental care for dogs and cats at A4A. Dates and details to follow!

Primal Pet Foods Issues Voluntary Recall of
Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula

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Primal Pet Foods News For immediate release.

May 28, 2011

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Dear Primal Pet Foods customers,
Primal Pet Foods has initiated a voluntary recall of their Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula with a "Best By" date code of 043112-17 because this product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The only product affected is limited to Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula with a "Best By" date code of 043112-17. No other Primal Pet Foods products are affected.
The affected product is limited to the Primal Pet Foods Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula packaged in the following forms:

1. 4 lb chicken & salmon nuggets (UPC# 8 95135 00025 0) with a "Best By" date code of 043112-17

The "Best By" date code is located on the front of the package on the right side of the product label. The affected product was distributed through retail stores sales in the United States.
Please be assured, no human or pet illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. Also, no other Primal Pet Foods products are affected by this issue.
If you have purchased a bag of Primal Pet Foods Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula Raw Frozen Diet (nuggets) with the "Best By" date code of 043112-17, we ask that you take one of the following steps.

1. If you are a consumer and have purchased the affected product, please contact Primal Pet Foods directly at 866-566-4652 Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM PST and we can assist in getting you a full refund or replacement from your local retailer that it was originally purchased from. You'll be instructed to bring the unopened package to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.
2. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, contact Primal Pet Foods directly at 866-566-4652 Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM PST and we can assist in getting you a full refund or replacement from your local retailer that it was originally purchased from. You'll be instructed to bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.

We truly appreciate your cooperation, and we apologize for any inconvenience that this matter may have caused for you. If you'd like to speak with one of our representatives regarding this issue, you can call our customer service line at 866-566-4652 Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM PST.
Our Commitment to Quality
We want to reassure you that Primal Pet Foods is committed to the health and safety of your pets. Our quality control and quality assurance programs include but are not limited to: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP's), a Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) program, regular lot segregation, and other industry best practices. Our manufacturing facility also adheres to these specific quality measures:

1. Our ingredients are sourced from USDA inspected facilities, and/or facilities regulated by the FDA
2. We adhere to state and federal regulations regarding product safety
3. Our manufacturing facilities are USDA and California State Department of Agriculture inspected.

In addition to the industry best practices listed above, and in an abundance of caution, we're taking additional steps in our manufacturing process to help ensure that our products are free of all pathogenic bacteria.
As always, Primal Pet Foods is fully committed to maintaining the highest quality standards in the pet food industry. Thank you for your continued trust in Primal Pet Foods.

Matt Koss
CEO, Primal Pet Foods

Being Aware

Good morning AFA friends,

I saw a movie recently that I would like to share with all of you. "Food Inc" is a documentary about the food industry in the United States. It was scarey to say the least. Made me aware of how little we know about where our food comes from. And also that government and corporations are all in it together to make the most money with the least bit of conscience. And in the mean time the American population eats this food in good faith, assuming that the food is safe and produced humanely. Unfortunately policy is made by special interest groups, who get elected into government with the help of corporate sponsorship.The policies they make do not protect the American people but rather line big business coffers. For instance did you know that over 80% of the beef grown in the United States is produced by one corporate. The decisions on how to grow these beef cattle is made by men in suits in a room surrounded by computers. The cattle are fed grain that causes the pH in their rumen to be altered, which predisposes them to e.coli and then to counteract this they are placed on antibiotics in their feed every day to prevent contamination in the meat. Hmmm, which bright spark at computer head quarters thought up this strategy. Gee I can't understand why antibiotic resistance is such an issue these days or why children are dying of e.coli infections when they eat a contaminated hamburger. Much less the just damn inhumane and disrespectful way we treat fellow animals. I was recently driving back from L.A. and witnessed such atrocities. Cattle shoulder to shoulder in cramped conditions, not receiving anything that remotely resembles their natural diet or environment, knee deep in their own feces. What gives us the right to do this. And what gives corporates the right to make such decisions on our behalf. The growth hormones, antibiotics and other drugs that are being fed to these animals, leave residues in the food and we consume it. Grain fed animals have higher levels of omega 6 fatty acids (pro inflammatory and pro cancer) compared with grass fed which have higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids (anti inflammatory and fights against cancer). Much less we are consuming this sad negative energy. The long term implications of letting human brains over ride Mother Nature have not been trialed or tested long term. Are we and our children prepared to be guinea pigs?

We all need to see this documentary. If you haven't, get informed and inform others. The more people that elect for grass fed meat, the healthier we will become as a population, the better the quality of life for these animals and the less money that we will put  into the pockets of corporations who care about nothing else but the bottom line. It's time to make a stand, put quality of life first and stop supporting companies who put profits above health and wellness.


- Dr Rettig

Please welcome, Dr Jennifer Luna-Repose!

Jennifer Luna-Repose Graduated from Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She completed a one year rotating small animal medicine internship and a six month small animal oncology internship at Bay Area Veterinary Specialists. She is currently studying Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine through the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies and is under the mentorship of Dr. Rettig. She is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.


"I was raised in Lafayette, California and love the Bay Area. After high school I spent some time soul searching and volunteered for Dr. Birute Galdikas in Borneo studying wild Orangutans and Brenda Salgado in Belize studying wild Howler Monkeys. During these amazing experiences I was inspired to study veterinary medicine so I could help animals on a more personal level.
When I was a student at Cornell I was given the opportunity to help animals in Louisiana after hurricane Katrina. I went with a group of fellow students to assist dogs and cats that had been separated from their families and needed medical attention. It was by far one of the most devastating and eye opening experiences of my life.
I have always been interested in alternative medicine and found myself frustrated with the limited treatment modalities of western medicine. Fortunately I found a great friend and mentor in Karen Rettig who encouraged me to follow my heart. I am so excited every day by all the possibilities that are offered with alternative therapies and their supportive role in encouraging the body to heal itself.
I can’t wait to share with you and your pets all that I continue to learn so that together we can improve their health and quality of life."



- melissa

Diablo Magazine Best of the East Bay 2011

BEST OF THE EAST BAY 2011
Diablo Magazine just announced their annual Best of the East Bay competition, where you can vote for your favorite, can't-live-without-'em Best of the East Bay foods, shops, services, kid-friendly places, fun spots, and style finds.
Please visit Diablo Magazine Best of the East Bay Ballot to cast your ballot and when you do, hopefully you will vote for
Karen Rettig at Alternatives for Animals as the Best Veterinarian in the East Bay!
The contest ends April 8th, so please vote soon. Winners will appear in the July issue.

Girls just wanna have fun!

There is something really special about how well we all get along as a team. We know when we need to perk each other up, and we know when it'd be best to just back off. Our signals are read loud and clear, like those dogs and cats give off (minus the visable canines, of course). It's great to vibe so well with the "work family"!

We also like to get together and relax with a great meal and delightful elixirs. Recently, we were at Dr Rettig's favorite seafood restaurant, Yankee Pier in Lafayette. We dined on the freshest fish and meatiest crab legs. Delicious!

If you haven't been, go! If you know all about this restaurant, are you hungry now too? :)
One of our clients brings his wonderful dog, King, into our office; he is the head chef at Yankee Pier, so be sure to say "hi" to a fellow Alternatives For Animals fan!

-melissa

The A4A Girls

Susan

Dr Luna-Repose

Dr Rettig

Melissa

Victoria

On a cold, rainy day in February, a blog is born!

Hello, and welcome to our new blog. Come on, follow us! And also share our blog on your facebook page.

-melissa