Melamine-tainted Petfood Lawsuit Settlement Unfair

Tainted Pet Food Settlement Shortchanges Pet Owners

An unsettling end to a multi-million dollar, class-action lawsuit, says Kathy Forcier

By Ana Garcia
Thursday, Dec 29, 2011

A woman whose cat died because of eating tainted pet food wants to know why the lawyers got millions and pet owners did not.

In March 2007, reports surfaced that melamine-tainted pet food imported from China had sickened or killed as many as 50,000 dogs and cats. As many as 150 brands under the Menu Foods umbrella, including Iams and Purina, were recalled.

By the time Kathy Forcier of Hemet heard the news, it was too late for her cat. She had already fed Ashes "Special Kitty" cat food bought at Walmart.

"She was in complete renal failure," said a tearful Forcier. "I was using an eye dropper trying to get water down her."

But Ashes the cat was dying.

"It was horrible, painful death," Forcier said. "I am feeling very, very guilty."

Forcier is one of more than 24,000 people who were part of a class-action lawsuit against Menu Foods, which settled for $24 million.

Forcier recently received a check for $58.76, approximately half the cost of the vet bills.

"It was an absolute insult," said Frocier.

The attorneys received $7.4 million.

"Clearly the lawyers benefit," said legal analyst Robin Sax. "They get paid first."

Class-action lawsuits are filed on behalf of a group of consumers with the intent of changing a business practice. Although, there are many public aspects of the class-action lawsuit – solicitations, notices, court hearings and court records – there are a lot of parts of the settlement that are "not transparent," said Sax.

For example, the lead law firm for the class action, Wexler Wallace of Chicago, refused to provide a breakdown of the payouts or disclose how many checks were mailed to claimants in California.

"Every claimant has the right to expect privacy with respect to their individual claims and I am going to respect that," said attorney Kenneth Wexler, who handled the case.

"The range of recovery is not relevant," added Wexler.

Forcier disagrees. She wants to know who got what, and why.

"He didn't lose a pet," said Forcier. "He didn't lose a member of his family."

"That lack of transparency breeds a lack of trust," said Sax.

The bulk of the settlement checks were mailed this past summer. If there is any money left over, it will be donated to animal welfare groups.

Forcier planned to donate her $58 to the local shelter in her cat's name. She wishes it were more.

Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Tainted-Pet-Food-Settlement-131013283.html
© 2012 NBCUniversal, Inc.

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Also, see:

• Warning: If You Feed Your Pet These Popular Treats...
• Dog Food Secrets
• Veterinary Secrets Revealed
• All You Need to Know about Diet and Nutrition
• Healthy Food for Dogs: Homemade Recipes
• Natural Dog Foods & Supplements

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions for Pet Owners

Here's a great New Year's article that I thought I would pass on... Happy New Year! –Kim

Top Ten Resolutions for Your Pet

Get organized. Check. Get a better job. Check. Lose weight. Check that one twice. This New Year isn't unlike any other – you've probably made resolutions that you'll struggle to keep after the first week. petMD.com suggests making a real difference in 2012 by forging a pact with your pet. These resolutions will help keep your pet happy, healthy and safe throughout the year. And well, what's more important than that?

1. Pet-proof your home – As you may already know, pets get into anything and everything! Keep poisons and other dangerous items in secure places, preferably in a locked cabinet or in a room that is out of the animal's reach.
2. Get your pet ID'd – Whether it is an ID tag or a microchip or GPS tracking device, identifying your pet and your contact information will help your chances of having your pet returned should it become lost – especially in the case of lost dogs and cats. Just remember to keep the contact information current!
3. Socialize your pet – Don't worry; you don't have to create a Facebook profile for them. But like children, your pet can become destructive and unmanageable when she is not given enough attention or is not allowed to socialize with other animals of her kind. Obedience training is just what your pet needs to learn some manners. And remember, it's never too late to train an animal.
4. Groom your pet – There is nothing worse than a stinky pet. Stay on top of her grooming routine – bathe her, brush her coat, and clip her nails. All these things will make her the envy of your block. And if you haven't noticed yet, your pet is usually happier when she is clean and pretty.
5. Have your pet spayed or neutered – Of course we all know spaying (and neutering) helps decrease the population of strays, but did you know many veterinarians believe it can benefit the animal's health too? Among the health benefits: a decrease in testicular cancer, prostate problems, urine marking and inter-dog (or inter-cat) aggression for males, and a decrease in mammary cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer for females.
6. Use preventives – Why worry about heartworms, fleas and other pesky parasites? Preventives are your pet's best line of defense against parasites and the deadly dog diseases and cat diseases they cause. Also, consult your veterinarian. Year-round use may be needed in warmer regions.
7. Create a maintenance checklist – Maintenance is perhaps the most dreaded of all pet resolutions. Perhaps it's the awful smells or all the cleaning involved. Whatever the reason, developing proper maintenance habits (e.g., emptying the litter box, cleaning the cage, changing the newspaper clippings) will create a clean and pleasant environment for your pet. Also, poor sanitation can lead to behavior and health issues.
8. Customize your pet's diet – Diets should be suited to the animal's age and size. When kept at her ideal body weight, your pet can live a longer, healthier life. She is also at a lower risk of heart disease, joint problems, and various other conditions associated with poor health.
9. Exercise with your pet more – Need an exercise partner? Look no further. Some dogs are satisfied with a walk around the neighborhood once a day, while others require additional exercise time. Take her to a park, to the beach or to your backyard, just make sure you have fun, too! Oh, and don't forget about your other pet(s). Just because she isn't a dog, doesn't mean she doesn't need exercise. (We're looking at you, Kitty!)
10. Don't postpone the annual checkup – Not only will waiting until your pet is ill lead to unnecessary suffering, complications may arise and this will make the animal's course of treatment more expensive. Keep your vet bills in check and visit the white-coated professional regularly.

View slideshow: "Top 10 New Year's Resolutions"

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About petMD: petMD.com is a leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets. The site maintains the world's largest pet health library, written and approved by a network of trusted veterinarians.

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petmd-suggests-top-10-new-years-resolutions-for-pet-owners-136374503.html

New Year's Resolutions for You and Your Dog

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

10 Suggestions for Keeping a Dog Healthy and Happy, and Strengthening the Bond

Janet Wendy Spiegel
December 28, 2010

Every year, between holiday festivities and Jan. 1, about 100 million Americans make resolutions for the new year. To help you make resolutions you can keep, here is a list of things you can do to build your relationship with your pet.

1. Walk your dog every day for at least 20 minutes (about one mile). It'll get you in shape, leave your dog a bit tired after structured, focused exercise, and build your pooch-person bond.
2. Take a nature hike once a month with your pup.
3. Clip your dog's claws every few months.
4. Brush your dog's teeth to avoid deep plaque build-up and costly vet bills.
5. Consider training your dog as a therapy dog.
6. Bake your own dog treats.
   
7. Make sure your dog's license is current.
8. Keep your pet's vaccinations current. (But, keep them to a minimum; don't overdo them!)
9. Buy your dog a sweater – or knit one!
10. Spend a lazy weekend day watching a movie and cuddling with your pup in bed.
    

Happy New Year!

Source: http://encino.patch.com/articles/new-years-resolutions-for-you-and-your-dog
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