Question:
Someone sent me this link for anyone who hasn't already seen it:

http://www.iamscruelty.com/


Answer:
Not only do they support the cruel tests (and they're not the only dog food company either, trust me!), but the food quality really stinks..you might as well be feeding your dog or cat POOH...and even that will probably have a higher nutrient content..lol


Answer:
I agree... it's like ritzy junk food... I'm not a big iams fan. However, I have to say that PETA will find something wrong with everybody... if they had their way no one would have pets at all b/c all pets are cruel.


Answer:
Personally, I don't think the issue in this thread is PETA and whether or not we like them and/or agree with their philosphy and actions. The issue is IAMS, their parent company Procter & Gamble and the long history of horrific testing practices (not to mention the extremely questionable quality of their pet food).

I'm a fence-sitter when it comes to PETA myself, but I'm finding it increasingly worrisome that important issues are dismissed simply because PETA raises them.

PETA is not the only organization trying to bring forward the truth about IAMS. The other main site is http://www.uncaged.co.uk/iamsexpress.htm

I think it would be a terrific idea to start a separate thread debating PETA, its philosphy and actions (which I would personally find very interesting and informative), and leave our personal opinions about PETA out of threads that deal with animal rights/welfare issues, as it really muddies and side-tracks the issue.


Answer:
This is a reply that Iams sent me after I questioned them about this....beleive it or not it's up to you....I dont.

Dear Sally:
Thank you for taking the time to contact us about our nutritional feeding studies. You've received some incorrect and outdated information. An extreme activist organization continues a misleading campaign featuring footage that's more than a year and a half old of a facility we no longer use. This inaccurate account includes examples of dogs and cats that were not part of our studies, and makes claims of activities that we never authorized.
We want to be perfectly clear: we will not fund or participate in any study requiring or resulting in the euthanasia of cats or dogs. This principle is just one of eight points in our strict research policy that is approved by an independent Animal Care Advisory Board. The members of our Advisory Board are from respected animal welfare organizations such as the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). We chose these individuals because they share our interest in reducing, refining, and replacing animals in research.
In addition, the Advisory Board conducts unannounced visits to review the care and welfare of the dogs and cats participating in our feeding studies at our internal and external sites.
To see a summary of recent facility reports, to view video footage of animals in our care, or to review our research policy, please visit our web site at www.iamstruth.com.
You can also see a facility report by utilizing the following URL: www.aspca.org/iams
Other important information we'd like to share:
*We support the ultimate elimination of laboratory feeding studies as scientifically valid alternatives become available. We have appointed Dr. Len Sauers to lead the development of alternatives to dog and cat feeding studies. Many don't know that beyond a few palatability (taste) studies, no other in-home nutritional feeding study methods have been validated. We already use 17 alternative methods, including a non-animal option for gastrointestinal studies and a non-animal method for measuring tartar build-up.
*We are taking full responsibility for the destiny of all dogs and cats that participate in our feeding studies at both internal and external sites. Our dogs and cats are adopted into loving homes when their help is no longer needed, including our retirement facility, which is a place where they can live their lives happily with love and affection from their human counterparts. We know of no other company that is taking this level of responsibility for the ongoing well-being of all the dogs and cats they work with.
*By October 2006 we will transition our nutritional feeding studies to be limited to three locations for feeding studies: in pet owners' homes, at the Iams Pet Health and Nutrition center, and in organizations, like animal shelters and groups that provide assistance dogs to people in need. We are making a significant investment in new facilities at our Pet Health and Nutrition Center, which will enable us to create an ideal environment while ensuring the care and welfare of the dogs and cats who help us in our feeding studies.
*We are proactively sharing the Iams Welfare Program for dogs and cats in an effort to make it the norm. An Iams Behaviorist has shared our socialization and enrichment program with shelters, veterinarians and others to illustrate that it's possible to enrich and socialize in such an environment. In addition, we recently presented our program to others in the pet food industry. We are committed to continual improvement in this area and are looking to adopt best practices in animal care and nutritional research wherever they are created. We will continue to actively search and reapply good ideas from around the world.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact us and for giving us the opportunity to respond with the facts. If you need further information or have specific questions, please visit the Web site or contact Consumer Care at 800-525-4267. One of our advisors will be more than happy to speak with you about this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Danette
Iams Consumer Care, North America
-----Original Message-----
From: Sally H
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 10:38 PM
To: customer.service@iams.com
Subject: Animal testing complaint
I have been looking into the animal testing you have been doing to better your product. I'm horrified by all the poor animals that suffer at your expence. It made me so ill, I had to take a walk. Please stop this. The word is spreading about you, and soon you'll have no one that will buy Iams if you keep it up. Shame on you, in this day and age you should know better!

Sall H


Answer:
We want to be perfectly clear: we will not fund or participate in any study requiring or resulting in the euthanasia of cats or dogs.
That was very well-worded. Iams is owned by Proctor and Gamble which is NOTORIOUS for animal testing. Maybe they don't use cats and dogs but does is really matter if it's a rat, rabbit, mouse, instead?


Answer:
They print a lot of nonsense. I read that IAMS debark their dogs. That is terribly cruel debarking dogs. Its like cutting someones tongue out.

I feel terrible that my first guide dog Bruce was fed Eucanuba and so was Jilli for the first 3 years I had her (she's now 6). I just didn't know about all those cruel tests. Jilli didn't even like it unless I added tinned dog food as well.


Answer:
Hey Bridget, I looked at your link and I emailed them. It's horrible, and I didn't know that they did this.


Answer:
Hey TMC, I got the exact reply you did except the name on it was Sharon not Danette! Aren't we lucky that they put so much time and effort into answering our emails, lol!


Answer:
Originally Posted by Candycane
That was very well-worded. Iams is owned by Proctor and Gamble which is NOTORIOUS for animal testing. Maybe they don't use cats and dogs but does is really matter if it's a rat, rabbit, mouse, instead?
Candice, good catch I hadn't even noticed the careful wording