Without a doubt, it is stressful and frightening for any animal who is kept inside of an animal control facility. Even in the best of circumstances, it is confusing and frightening.

But for the animals at one small animal shelter in Royse City, Texas, [...]]]> **This shelter is in between east Texas and the DFW area.

Without a doubt, it is stressful and frightening for any animal who is kept inside of an animal control facility. Even in the best of circumstances, it is confusing and frightening.

But for the animals at one small animal shelter in Royse City, Texas, things are even more difficult.

Inside of this small facility, there are no dog beds, no toys, no blankets – sometimes, there is even a lack of food.

This little shelter needs some assistance in order to help those animals who are confined inside of the facility’s walls. Right now, the facility is in need of the following:

Dog food

Cat food

Cat litter

Bleach

To help make the animals more comfortable, the following items are on a wish list:

Dog toys

Dog bones/treats

Cat toys/treats

Blankets

Beds (cat/dog)

Few people are near this rural shelter, but even distant strangers can lend a hand. Anyone willing to help can send supplies to:

Royse City Animal Control

Attn: Timothy Gause; Animal Control Officer

305 N. Arch, Royse City TX 75189

Email: tim.gause@roysecity.com

Ph: (972) 636-2250 FAX: (972) 635-2434

Please take a moment to share this story with someone else who may be able to provide assistance to those sheltered at this small facility. Thank you.

Photos of the shelter can be viewed via Help needed for small animal control facility in Texas – National Dogs | Examiner.com.

When: August 4, 2012

Registration: Starts at 8:30am, $25 per dog

Events from 9:00am-12:00pm

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life TM is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.  By supporting Bark For Life, you help [...]]]> Where: Bergfeld Park

When: August 4, 2012

Registration: Starts at 8:30am, $25 per dog

Events from 9:00am-12:00pm

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life TM is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.  By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.  So bring your best canine friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games.

via 2012 Bark For Life of Smith County TX | The American Cancer Society.

MARS PETCARE US ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY RECALL OF LIMITED RANGE OF PEDIGREE® BRAND WET DOG FOOD

Franklin, Tennessee June 30, 2012 – Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of a limited range of three varieties of PEDIGREE® weight management canned dog food products due to a potential choking risk.

Saturday, June 2, 2012
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
FRESH

Grab Fido and head to FRESH for the chance to show off your mutt at the FreshPet Strut Your Mutt contest! Come on down and you can enter your well behaved, leashed dog in one or all categories [...]]]> via FRESHbyBrookshires.com:

FreshPet Strut Your Mutt Contest

Saturday, June 2, 2012
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
FRESH

Grab Fido and head to FRESH for the chance to show off your mutt at the FreshPet Strut Your Mutt contest! Come on down and you can enter your well behaved, leashed dog in one or all categories such as the best tail wag, best trick, best strut and best dressed to name a few. The grand prize for the best strut is a one year’s supply of FreshPet food.

Registration is at 12 pm and the contests will begin at 1pm.

FreshPet Yippee Dog Races

Saturday, June 2, 2012
2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
FRESH

Stretch those paws and prepare for a race like no other. The fur will be flying in this whirlwind of a speedy competition at FRESH! Come on out to watch or join these pint size pups run their little heart outs to the finish line!

You can enter your lightweight (under 10lbs) furry friend in our first ever FreshPet Yippee Dog Races. We will have a short straight course approximately 30 feet in length with prizes for the top dogs. We welcome all dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs.  Please be sure your dog has a collar, and in good physical condition and up to date on all vaccinations.

For all you race hounds, it’s a good idea to bring two humans with you. One to be at the starting line and one to welcome you to the finish line!

Registration will be at 2:30pm for the 3:00pm and 3:45pm races.

We welcome all dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs.  Please be sure your dog is leashed, licensed, in good physical condition and up to date on all vaccinations.  These events are brought to you by ***FreshPet and facilitated by Tyler’s Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy and Greyhounds Unlimited.

Steak Cookoff Schedule

via Canidae.com:

Information About the Voluntary Recall of a Limited Production Run [...]]]> Even though this is posted for East Coast consumers, you may get your pet food delivered, or it may have made it’s way to Texas somehow.  It’s always best to check those dates out and make sure your pet’s food is safe.

via Canidae.com:

Information About the Voluntary Recall of a Limited Production Run of Four CANIDAE Dry Dog Food Formulas

CANIDAE wishes to advise its East Coast customers of a voluntary product recall affecting only limited batches of four CANIDAE dry dog foods made only at one facility in South Carolina between December 9, 2011 and January 31, 2012.

CANIDAE has decided to initiate a voluntary product recall for the CANIDAE Dry Dog Foods listed below. We made this decision solely as a precaution. NO CANIDAE products have tested positive for Salmonella. Please check the list of production codes and dates below to determine if you have any of the recalled products.

CANIDAE Dry Dog Foods are manufactured at several plants across the US. Some products are manufactured for CANIDAE by Diamond Pet Foods, at their Gaston, South Carolina plant. This plant has recently recalled some of its Diamond brand products due to the potential for Salmonella contamination.

There have been no positive test results for Salmonella on CANIDAE products. There have been no complaints of illness reported to us.

CANIDAE has made the decision to voluntarily recall from the market place a specific and limited production run of products manufactured at the Diamond South Carolina facility from December 9, 2011, through January 31, 2012.

The only CANIDAE products subject to this recall are as follows. No canned products, cat food products or treats are being recalled. Only a limited production run of these dry dog foods products manufactured in the Diamond South Carolina facility from December 9, 2011, through January 31, 2012 are being recalled:

· CANIDAE Dog Dry Dog Food, All Life Stages

· CANIDAE Dog Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal & Rice

· CANIDAE Dog Dry Dog Food, Lamb Meal & Rice

· CANIDAE Dog Dry Dog Food, CANIDAE Platinum

Only CANIDAE dry dog food formulas with production codes that must 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 are being voluntarily recalled.

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

All consumers who have purchased the CANIDAE Dry Dog Foods listed above, manufactured out of the Gaston, South Carolina facility with the specific production and “Best Before” codes on their bags listed above should discontinue feeding the product immediately and return the unused portion to your local independent retailer. Please avoid touching the food, use caution in handling the bags, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after handling.

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

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

We apologize for any potential issues this may have caused pet owners and their pets and urge you to review the map below. The purple area represents our distributors’ territories where CANIDAE dry dog food made in South Carolina between December 9, 2011, through January 31, 2012 may or may not have been distributed.

WELLPET LLC VOLUNTARILY RECALLS ONE RECIPE OF DRY DOG FOOD DUE TO SALMONELLA AT DIAMOND PET FOODS’ FACILITY

Tewksbury, Mass. (May 4, 2012) – WellPet LLC announced a voluntary recall of one recipe of Wellness® dry dog food after being notified by Diamond Pet Foods regarding the presence of Salmonella in Diamond’s [...]]]> via WellnessPetFood.com:

WELLPET LLC VOLUNTARILY RECALLS ONE RECIPE OF DRY DOG FOOD DUE TO SALMONELLA AT DIAMOND PET FOODS’ FACILITY

Tewksbury, Mass. (May 4, 2012) – WellPet LLC announced a voluntary recall of one recipe of Wellness® dry dog food after being notified by Diamond Pet Foods regarding the presence of Salmonella in Diamond’s Gaston, South Carolina facility.

All Wellness products are tested for Salmonella and all lots tested negative prior to shipping to customers. The company is voluntarily recalling the select products below. This voluntary recall is being done out of an abundance of caution as these products were produced at the facility that has been linked to recent recalls of Diamond brand foods due to the threat of Salmonella.

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.

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. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

The products involved in this voluntary recall are:

Wellness Complete Health® Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy, 15 lb. and 30 lb. bags and 5 oz. sample bags with best by dates of JAN 9 2013 through JAN 11 2013.

Best by dates (lot codes) can be found on the back of the bag in the bottom right-hand corner.

No other WellPet recipes, sizes or brands of food are impacted by this voluntary recall.

“As a pet parent myself, I know how important peace of mind is when it comes to the health of our pets, and that is why we require that all of our products undergo testing for Salmonella, among other things,” said Tim Callahan, chief executive officer of WellPet, the maker of Wellness® products. “All of these lots tested negative prior to being released for sale. We are voluntarily taking this additional step to further safeguard our dogs and to put our customers’ minds at ease.”

The majority of Wellness natural products for pets are produced in WellPet’s own modern state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mishawaka, Indiana. WellPet no longer purchases any products from Diamond Pet Foods.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, would like replacement product or have additional questions, may call us at (877) 227-9587 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM Eastern time and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM Eastern time).

Diamond Pet Foods today announced that it is expanding a voluntary recall to include batches of nine brands of dry pet food formulas manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 due to potential Salmonella contamination.

In April 2012, Diamond Pet Foods initiated three voluntary recalls of Diamond manufactured [...]]]> via Diamond Pet Foods:

Diamond Pet Foods today announced that it is expanding a voluntary recall to include batches of nine brands of dry pet food formulas manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 due to potential Salmonella contamination.

In April 2012, Diamond Pet Foods initiated three voluntary recalls of Diamond manufactured dry dog food. Although none of the additional products being recalled have tested positive for Salmonella, the company is pulling them from store shelves as a precaution. Diamond Pet Foods is coordinating efforts with federal and state health and regulatory agencies and decided to independently expand the recall to ensure the safety and well-being of customers and their pets.

The company stated: “We have taken corrective actions at our Gaston, S.C., facility and voluntarily expanded the recall out of concern for our customers and their pets.”

Brands included in the recall include:

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Taste of the Wild

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers 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 listed above are December 9, 2012 through April 7, 2013.

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states and Canada. Further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred.

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Canada

The Kirkland Signature products included in the recall include:

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013
• Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production codes on the back of bags must have both a number “3” in the 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit. The best-before dates for the recalled brands listed are December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.

The Kirkland Signature/Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada.

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Canada
• Puerto Rico

Diamond Pet Foods apologizes for any issues this may cause consumers and their pets. Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST. Consumers may also go to a special website, diamondpetrecall.com, for more information. The company is working with distributors and retailers to ensure all affected product is removed from shelves.

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.

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. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have received a limited number of reports of salmonellosis, the illness caused by Salmonella. We are working with the CDC, but due to patient confidentiality, we cannot comment further.

SPCA of East TexasYour unwanted items can help us help animals in East Texas! Caring for animals in need each year is an expensive endeavor, and your generous donation will help further our mission. Donating to the SPCA of East Texas is an investment in your community [...]]]> via SPCA of East Texas’ Facebook Page:

SPCA of East TexasYour unwanted items can help us help animals in East Texas! Caring for animals in need each year is an expensive endeavor, and your generous donation will help further our mission. Donating to the SPCA of East Texas is an investment in your community because your entire donation is used locally to benefit the animals of our area.

You can help support the SPCA of East Texas by donating items! We will be accepting items, including GENTLY WORN furniture, purses, shoes, clothing, kitchen utensils, house decor, toys, etc. to participate in the Community Wide Garage Sale hosted by KISX-FM; KNUE-FM; KTYL-FM and KKTX-FM at East Texas Fairgrounds on May 19th.

All donations can be dropped off between 10 – 4 pm. on May 18th at the Fairgrounds at 2112 West Front Street in Tyler.

All proceeds go to help animals in Smith and surrounding counties. We are a 501c3 charitable organization and your donation is tax deductible.Please help us by sharing this information with your friends and family.Thank you in advance everyone!

Please call 903-596-SPCA 7722 for more information, or to make other arrangements.

Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster Recall

Kaytee Pet Products is recalling a single manufacturing batch of Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster due to possible contamination with Salmonella. The product affected by this recall is identified below and has the following “Best Before” dates: