Dear Brandi:
On behalf of Iams president, Jeffrey P. Ansell, thank you for sharing your
thoughts. We sincerely appreciate that you have fed Iams products over the last
ten years and we hope our actions detailed in this message will convince you
that we are worthy of your trust.
On March 25, we learned that nutritional studies being conducted for us at an
independent facility in the U.S. may have violated our company's strict research
policy. On March 26, we completed an unannounced visit of the facility to review
procedures and ensure the well-being of dogs and cats at the site.
On March 27, we concluded that the facility did not meet our strict standards
regarding air temperature, ventilation, resting beds, and socialization (even
though the facility recently passed U.S. government inspections). We made the
decision to end all research at the facility.
In addition, we worked with the facility to relocate Fifi, Maisy, Mickey, and
the 16 other dogs to an Iams animal care center. We have an established program
for socialization and employee adoption that will give these dogs the
opportunity for a successful transition to a family.
On April 10, we met with PETA to look over the facts and to share our plan for
the review of our contract research facilities.
We have now completed comprehensive reviews of all external facilities involved
in dog and cat nutritional studies for Iams. This was a major effort which
included Iams researchers, P&G veterinarians, non-technical Iams employees who
served as the "eyes and ears" of our consumers, and where possible, independent
animal welfare experts.
All of the facilities reviewed comply with government regulations, and the
health of the dogs and cats is not at risk. However, we've decided to
consolidate our nutritional studies at fewer contract facilities, and we will
focus more on the implementation of our high standards for dog and cat care.
Also, we are establishing an Independent Animal Care Advisory Board which will
be in place and active by July 15. Its role will be to:
1. Actively review external facility compliance with the Iams research
policy.
2. Participate in random unannounced inspections of external sites.
3. Critically evaluate our research policy and bring new ideas to enhance
animal well being.
4. Evaluate our animal care program to ensure the health and well being of
dogs and cats This evaluation will include site visits to Iams facilities.
If you would like to read about our research policy in more detail, it is posted
on our website at:
http://www.iams.com/en_US/jhtmls/faq...randcode=I&loc
aleid=en_US&pagetypeid=FQ
< http://www.iams.com/en_US/jhtmls/faq...id=167&brandco
de=I&localeid=en_US&pagetypeid=FQ > (or go to www.iamsco.com
< http://www.iamsco.com > and access this document through the horizontal
navigation bar by clicking onto News/Stories.)
We want to advance scientific understanding of how nutrition can help dogs and
cats to live long, healthy lives. We only conduct research with dogs and cats
that is equivalent to nutritional or medical studies acceptable on people. We
are deeply committed to dog and cat well being, and our research policy reflects
that commitment.
Thank you again for contacting us with your feedback, and for giving us the
opportunity to respond. I hope you will share this message with your friends and
family.
Sincerely,
Cindy Achor
Group Manager
Iams Consumer Care
Reply With Quote
12/02
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