Happy New Year!

 

Oregon House Cat Died After Eating Pet Food That Tested Positive For Bird Flu

 From the AP:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu, Oregon authorities said, prompting a recall of raw frozen pet food that was sold nationwide.

Northwest Naturals, a pet food company based in Portland, Oregon, said Tuesday it had voluntarily recalled one batch of its two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after it tested positive for the virus. The product was sold through distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, as well as Canada’s British Columbia.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said in a Tuesday news release. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

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Season's Greetings From the Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers!

 

New Zealand to Ban Greyhound Racing

 

From The Independent:

New Zealand is proposing to ban greyhound racing by 2026 amid persistent concerns over high injury rates among the dogs.

Racing minister Winston Peters announced on Tuesday that his government intends to phase out the sport over the next 20 months. The move comes after a series of reviews spanning a decade, all highlighting insufficient measures to safeguard the welfare of greyhounds.

Although fatalities during dog races have decreased over the years, injury rates remain high.

“While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates, while down slightly, have plateaued and remain unacceptably high,” the minister said, emphasising the government’s stance on prioritising animal welfare.

While the Greyhound industry called the decision a “devastating blow” with “far reaching implications” on those working in the sector, Mr Peters defended the government’s stance saying the decision was not “taken lightly”.

It was driven by a desire to protect “the welfare of racing dogs”, Mr Peters was quoted as saying by a local media outlet, 1News.

An advisory committee will help the government in rehoming the 2,900 greyhounds currently involved in racing, Mr Peters said.

“Further legislation to enable the end to greyhound racing is required. A bill to make the necessary changes to the Racing Industry Act 2020 will be introduced to the parliament in 2025. There will be a full select committee process so everyone will have a chance to have their say,” he said.

The government has already introduced a bill, supported by the opposition Labour party, to curb the unnecessary euthanasia of racing dogs.

The latest move has sparked backlash from Greyhound Racing New Zealand, whose chairman, Sean Hannan, condemned it as a “devastating blow” to the industry.

Mr Hannan argued that the industry has made significant strides in animal welfare.

“We are extremely disappointed that the government has not recognised the work the industry has done to address areas of concern – to the extent that it now leads the wider racing industry with its commitment to animal welfare,” Mr Hannan said.

He expressed concern for the future of greyhounds in New Zealand, suggesting that the breed might disappear entirely from the country.

“This decision is not just about the sport; it affects families, businesses, and communities who have dedicated their lives to caring for and racing greyhounds,” he said.

New Zealand is one of the few countries where commercial greyhound racing is still permitted, alongside the US, Ireland, Australia, and Britain.

The sport constitutes 8.5 per cent of New Zealand’s NZ$1.3bn racing industry and employs over 1,000 people full time, according to industry data.

“Over recent years, the industry has made significant strides in improving animal welfare standards, introducing robust regulations, and fostering greater transparency,” Mr Hannan said as he urged the government to reconsider its decision.

He also asked the government to engage in a “meaningful discussion” with the stakeholders.

The Green Party welcomed the decision, calling it a “great day” for the welfare of greyhounds.

“Successive reports highlighting the cruelty, mistreatment, and neglect in the industry were left to gather dust as successive governments kicked the can down the road,” a party spokesperson, Steve Abel, said.

“We acknowledge the decisive decision by Minister Winston Peters to do what should have been done years ago.”

The Labour party has also voiced “full support” for the decision. “We are supporting today’s Bill making its way through the house in all stages to ensure the safety and wellbeing of dogs,” the party’s animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said.

Visitors!

 

Bo's friends Aoife & Logan are in the house!  Aoife is here until January 6 and Logan stopped in for doggy day care!

From left:  Bo, Aoife & Logan!

Dogs & Pumpkin

 

From Dog Food Advisor:

Can dogs eat pumpkin? The answer is yes, with a couple of cautionary notes.

Pumpkin is a staple food in people’s homes towards the end of the year, particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas — but it also makes a tasty and healthy snack and ingredient for your dog?

This seasonal gourd is considered a superfood, packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron, potassium, and more. Pumpkin is also rich in fiber and prebiotics to support healthy digestion, and — added bonus — most dogs love the flavor and creamy texture.

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Rainbow Bridge: Lexi

 

Lexi (JSK Peaches)

May 5, 2013 - November 22, 2024

Lexi was euthanized 11/22 due to severe pain from bone cancer in her hip. She was 11½, 5-2-2013 BD. First symptoms started September 8 and diagnosis at OSU October 2. The bone had been slowly deteriorating. Her pain was controlled and quality of life okay until Wednesday night 11/20. So I took her back to OSU & she came home with a fentanyl patch (hip had probably fractured). I called the Mobile Vet and 2 of her closest friends to come the next day.

She was the best companion ever, enjoyed many activities and befriended many people. I’m missing her terribly.

-Ann Devine

RIP Lexi