Things Iams Don't Want You To See

I know that there are a few folks on PT that spring to the
defence of these conditions and want to excuse Iams and
attack the messenger. In this case PETA. Weather you agree
with PETA'S sometimes brash approach to presenting matters
of animal abuse or not, at least to open to the facts of life for
thousands of dogs & cats just like our our pets at home, but
doomed to a bitter life of pain,lonliness, and daily terror.

Listen to their cries, look into their eyes & see the way they are treated by this company. This is wrong, it's evil and it's totally not
needed to make a reliable brand of dog food. I'm not totally for every PETA proposal, but I can certainly back this continuing campaign against Iams & the horrible condition of these animals.

The first link does contain thumbnail photos & text & does not
lead directly to the videos. Please have the strenth to look,read
and make up your own mind. Is this cruelty?

http://www.iamsodead.com/iams-video.html


http://www.iamsodead.com/

I agree with you on this one. This is why I tell people not to buy Iams/Eukenuba products. In Iams defense, people will say that they stopped testing years ago. But they lied. Undercover agents have found only minimal changes to the abuse they've carried out.

Quote:

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Despite assurances in the Iams research policy that no animal would ever be killed, our investigator documented the destruction of 27 out of 60 dogs who underwent an invasive procedure that involved having huge chunks of muscle cut out of their legs. Two more of those dogs were found dead in their cages after the surgery; one had been suffering for 11 days prior to her death. When our investigator reported that Humbug, an Iams dog, was limping, she was told by a vet tech that the laboratory had an x-ray machine that dated back to the 1960s but no film for it and that the director of the laboratory preferred to kill, rather than treat, animals with broken bones. In addition, Fifi and the other dogs used in Iams’ metabolic studies were bled by the laboratory in order to sell their blood to other companies even though the studies do not call for blood draws.

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Quote:

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Iams dogs dumped on cold concrete flooring after having huge chunks of muscle cut out of their thighs
dogs and cats gone stir-crazy from confinement; dogs and cats in windowless, dungeon-like buildings
a coworker who instructed her to hit the dogs on the chest if they quit breathing; another coworker who talked about an Iams dog found dead in his cage, bleeding from his mouth
a dog who limped in pain from Lyme disease
cruel studies done by Iams involving sticking tubes down dogs’ throats to force them to ingest vegetable oil
Iams dogs with such severe tartar buildup on their teeth that it was painful for them to eat
vet technicians with inadequate training and experience performing invasive procedures
coworkers who talked about a live kitten who was washed down a drain
coworkers who talked about how they had to go home because the ammonia fumes in the animal trailers were so overpowering that it made their eyes burn (try being one of the animals in those cages!)
cats kept in a cinderblock room with crude wooden “resting” boards that had nails sticking out of them; one of the boards fell on a cat, crushing her to death, while our investigator was there yet the lab director did not remove the boards when the cat was crushed—he removed them when he was told that the lab was going to be inspected because he knew they were illegal

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I looked at the sites, I cannot believe I have bought these products for my pets. I didn't know they even tested dogs and cats. I think I am going to be sick.
Everytime I see a sack of their foods, I will remember those pictures.
So what kind of food, is good, you know where they don't murder other animals just to make it better.
I want to feed my pets good food, but not at the expense of killing defenseless animals. I am so shocked!!! I feel guilty for ever believing that I was doing right for my dogs, now we know why their food is so expensive, don't we?
Please suggest something that doesn't harm other animals.
Thanks.

This is one list of dog/cat food companies that don't harm
animals by useless & cruel "research". I'm sure others could be
found by searching for sites on "cruelty-free products for people
and for animals. Thanks for speaking up & for caring. :)

http://www.iamscruelty.com/res.html

Quote:

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Originally posted by lizbud
This is one list of dog/cat food companies that don't harm
animals by useless & cruel "research".

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I've only heard of four of the foods on that list! :eek: lol.

While I am ALWAYS extremely careful about what PETA says, I have read many accounts of the horrors of the IAMS company (maker of Eukanuba also). I absolutely, positively, will NEVER buy another IAMS product again.

Also, just FYI, IAMS is now owned by our good buddy Proctor and Gamble (which I also avoid like the plague).

Did you guys know that there are no "brand name" dog foods out there anymore that are not owned by a soap company? As far as I know Exclusive is one of the only ones left that is not.

I would buy Exclusive just for that reason, even if it weren't the best for the money out there. I like Purina Mills (PMI), NOT Purina Ralston (the checkerboard) because they research in depth the food that they make and understand that garbage in results in garbage out. Because they make food for large animals, they look at what is going to produce the best product and then put that in their feed. Oh and PMI will send me coupons for buy one get one free too if I call and ask for them and that comes in REALLY handy when the paycheck is kind of short. Also they offer buy 6 bags get the 7th bag free and Ernie and I (owner of the feed store where I get it) figured it out and it averages $20.50 per bag (35 pounds) and the main ingredient in the stuff is human grade chicken, with no wheat or corn, has rice, Omega 3s and 6s and is preserved naturally with Vitamin E...no BHA or BHT.

Ok...I'm off my soap box. IAMS is definitely nasty nasty stuff. Any company that would mutilate an animal's kidney's to see how long it will survive on their food should be run out of town on a rail.

Thanks for the info Liz!

Are you sure ALL of the dog foods are owned by soap companies? I'm not sure why, but I have a feeling Go! Natural isn't? :confused:

Liz, I couldn't watch the video as the web pages had more than enough info to make me sick. Thanks for letting us know that the unnecessary suffering still takes place.

I have heard of the Solid Gold brand. I tried the link & found
two stores within 5 miles of me & 8 of them within 10 miles.

Miss Meow, Yes, I know. :( How much product do you think they'd sell with pictures of these poor dogs & cats on the package, instead of the wholesome images protrayed now?

arrgggg it makes me so mad to see that site, i mean not that its neccercary to do that to a dog but how hard is it to but down a soft bed, i mean desent cages and bedding is not hard to get, at least that would be a start!
why must man do this to a dog to "perfect" a brand of food that IMO dogs arnt that fond of (Rio eats anything but NOT or Eukanuba), whats wrong with the BARF diet or good kibble (good is better than perfect if it hasnt been tested on animals) that HASNT been tested on animals!
its just SICK that man is allowed to do this to a living creature!
Ky and Rio

Quote:

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Originally posted by Rio and Me
arrgggg it makes me so mad to see that site, i mean not that its neccercary to do that to a dog but how hard is it to but down a soft bed, i mean desent cages and bedding is not hard to get, at least that would be a start!

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I don't think they need to test at all. With or without bedding.

That's why I feed my cats Science Diet. Please don't tell me they're as bad as Eukenuba.

Not as bad as far as I know Donna, but the main source of protein is groung peanut shells. I'm not sure there are any "premium" brands could be as bad as IAMS.

Here's a link to a page that talks about what is in dog food and who owns some of the major brands of dog food....Donna, Science Diet is owned by Colgate/Palmolive


http://www.api4animals.org/doc.asp?ID=79

Quote:

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Originally posted by mugsy
Science Diet is owned by Colgate/Palmolive

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Doesn't colgate test on animals? Or was that Crest?

Wolfsoul I know they dont have to test on animals for ANYTHING, but if they insist on such crulty they could at least provide adiquete space/flooring and bedding! thats what i ment sorry
Ky and Rio

Quote:

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Originally posted by mugsy
Here's a link to a page that talks about what is in dog food and who owns some of the major brands of dog food....Donna, Science Diet is owned by Colgate/Palmolive


http://www.api4animals.org/doc.asp?ID=79

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Mugsy, I saw that site when we were looking at pup food for the devilish duo ... there's a lot of good, unemotional information there. Thanks for posting the link :) The use of waste restaurant grease and cleverly concealing corn ingredients made me furious.

Now I've become a label reading freak :rolleyes:

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Originally posted by Miss Meow
Now I've become a label reading freak :rolleyes:

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You and me both Nicole!! I drive people crazy telling them what's in stuff. I have made A LOT of enemies out there. But....I don't care in the least!!

Let me go hunt down my email from my friend (who happens to be a member of PETA) who sent me the cruelty free and cruelty companies and I'll post it if I can find it.

Well DANG! I just looked at the companies that test on animals and am ashamed at how many of the products I use. Guess I'd better be more careful.

And, yes, Colgate/Palmolive tests on animals.

Here's the link (it belongs to PETA, but at least you can see the list of cruelty and cruelty free companies there are)

http://www.peta.org/mall/cc/ccdonttest1.html

Quote:

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Originally posted by mugsy
Let me go hunt down my email from my friend (who happens to be a member of PETA) who sent me the cruelty free and cruelty companies and I'll post it if I can find it.

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Oh yes, THE LIST.....
http://www.caringconsumer.com/searchcompany.html

So, I guess I should switch my cat food to something that DOESN'T test on animals. Any suggestions???

Thats what I want to know, somebody please make a suggestion. I am too lazy and old(just an excuse for being lazy, sorry) to search. I want to do what is right for my pets, and other defenseless animals.

Those were horrible pictures!!!!! I guess Science Diet is out too? I live in a small town. I need and want suggestions. Please.:)

I am sickened by this and plan on sending Iams and Eukanuba some emails. Also, I'm feeding Duke Science Diet for sentive skin. Does anyone know what I can feed him instead? Got to keep in mind his Pancreitis that he had in April.

posted by lizbud:I know that there are a few folks on PT that spring to the defence of these conditions and want to excuse Iams and attack the messenger. >>>>>>

I am not sure about attacking the messenger,
but I do believe to post all sides to make it
a bit more ballance when it comes to PETA.
I am a supporter of The Doris Day Foundation for
animal rights, and I remember reading small
blerb about Iams on the Animal Guardian.
Iams this year severed all ties with the company
that was in question. So I am a bit confused.
I was under the impression that Iams has cleaned
up it's act. IF they have not, Iams deserves to be boycoted.
.
I could not find the article, but I did
search the web about the Peta incident.
(I cut out some of the article)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Iams dog food chewed up at protest

Back to the Portsmouth Herald | Print this Story
By Nancy Cicco
[email protected]

A division of Procter & Gamble, Iams is PETA’s latest target in the organization’s efforts to raise public awareness about animal cruelty in the marketplace.

But an Iams spokesman responded Monday saying PETA is simply barking up the wrong tree.

Iams has come under PETA’s microscope for allegedly mistreating dogs and cats subjected earlier this year to nutritional testing at an Iams contract laboratory in the midwest.

The results of a PETA-led, nine-month undercover investigation at the lab found Iams allegedly committed several animal abuses. PETA wants customers to boycott Procter & Gamble’s products until the company changes its ways.

"Our investigation found their dogs cowering in cages, some which hadn’t left the cages for six years," said Matt Prescott, a Newmarket native who works as a PETA campaign manager. "Some had their vocal chords cut out...simply because the director of the facility was annoyed by the dogs barking."

Iams conducts clinical and controlled studies on cats and dogs to ensure the company’s products perform up to standards, according to Kelly Vanasse, Iams’ associate director of global external relations. PETA’s charges of mistreatment are a "highly sensationalized accounting" of what happened earlier this year, she said.

The Iams company unwittingly hired the undercover PETA investigator to enforce humane standards at the lab as an animal-welfare specialist.
The lab in question is not owned by Iams but was contracted by the company as a test site. Last March, days after PETA came forward with its information, Iams stopped working with the lab. Iams’ subsequent investigations at the company’s eight other contract laboratories showed those labs are "fully implementing" Iams’ research policy, Vanasse said. The policy mandates the company "will ensure the humane treatment of cats and dogs."

In addition, the company created an international animal-care advisory board to ensure the company continues to live up to its animal-welfare standards.

"We have been very open and transparent about what’s going on," Vanasse said. "We will only conduct the veterinarian equivalent of what a human would agree to undergo."

The company did not authorize anyone to cut the vocal chords of dogs in the facility, and dogs involved in some tests were only fed "a teaspoon" of vegetable oil, she said.

KYS,

I believe the question about Iams severing ties with "bad"
lab testers is covered here in Whats going on with the dogs
now? segment.


Why Iams?: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s Wrong With Iams?

For nearly 10 months, PETA conducted an undercover investigation in an Iams contract laboratory. What our investigator witnessed and was able to capture on hidden camera would outrage any animal lover: dogs gone crazy from confinement to barren steel-and-cement cells, dogs left on a paint-chipped floor after having their vocal chords severed and part of their leg muscles hacked out; dogs who were sweltering in scorching heat and shivering in bitter cold; horribly sick dogs and cats languishing in their cages, neglected and left to suffer with no veterinary care. The dogs and cats in Iams’ tests are no different from our dogs and cats at home when it comes to deserving companionship, play, a stimulating environment, and the right not to be tormented in painful experiments.

But doesn’t Iams have to continue research and development in order to create better foods and improve the health of dogs? They can’t stop testing altogether, can they?

We are calling on Iams to rely on non-animal, laboratory analysis and in-home tests using dogs and cats whose human companions have volunteered them for such tests. Right now, dogs and cats are suffering endlessly in concrete cells with no chance for exercise or stimulation just so that Iams can slap new claims onto its products and maintain its market share. It’s all about marketing. If Iams officials cared about the health and happiness of our companion animals, they would end this unnecessary testing immediately. They’ve proved that all they care about is profit.

But what about the fact that Iams claims on its Web site that it meets and even exceeds federal regulations?

Iams lied to PETA repeatedly with promises to improve living conditions for the dogs in contract labs. Our investigation took place more than a year after Iams had promised to “raise the bar” on animal-welfare standards in its contract facilities and even assured us that enrichment programs were already in place, but our investigator knew better. At least 27 dogs were destroyed while other dogs had illnesses left untreated despite assurances in the Iams research policy, which specifically states that no animal in any Iams test will ever be deliberately killed.

Our video footage shows Iams representatives touring the facility and witnessing dogs’ endless circling in barren cells in the sweltering heat. Iams officials knew the truth yet they lied. How can they be trusted to act in the best interests of the animals at this point? Our investigator fought for six months to have a single cheap, rubber toy placed in each dog’s cell. This is Iams’ idea of “enrichment.” Once animal lovers become aware that they are financing the confinement and mutilation of dogs and cats, they simply won’t buy Iams food or propaganda.

What’s going on with the dogs now?

After considerable pressure from PETA, Iams finally agreed to have the dogs from this particular laboratory removed. We’ve been informed by Iams officials that the dogs are now in an Iams facility in Dayton, which they have refused to let us see. We have no idea whether the dogs are in a better situation now than they were before. We are continuing to press Iams to let us see the facility and urging the company to adopt the dogs out to loving homes, but until we have a confirmation from Iams that this has happened, we will assume otherwise.

Why should we believe you and not Iams?

Videotape doesn’t lie. See the abuse for yourself here. Procter & Gamble, Iams’ parent company, has a long history of wanton cruelty to animals. After years of pressure to eliminate cruel product testing on animals, the company continues to torture rabbits, ferrets, and many other animals in its skin- and eye-irritancy experiments for cosmetics. P&G spends more money on advertising in five days than it has spent on developing alternatives to animal testing in the last 14 years. That’s a bad record for a company that claims to care about animals.

Why are you targeting Iams specifically? Don’t most major brands test on animals in laboratories?

Iams claims to be a leader in the pet food industry. We’re asking the company to act like one. As a major food producer, its pioneering choice to end laboratory testing on animals would serve as an example of progress in the industry and would begin a truly “new and improved” era in pet food, not just a minor change at the animals’ expense.

A list of forward-thinking companion-animal food companies that have stopped or never conducted tests on animals in laboratories can be found on our Web site IamsCruelty.com.

Aren’t you against all animal testing, even for human medical research?

Animal testing has never been a necessary, safe, or effective way to conduct medical research. The case of Iams is particularly outrageous because these dogs are confined to barren steel-and-cement cells in all weather extremes and made to undergo invasive surgery just to test dog and cat food.

Animal lovers wouldn’t sacrifice their own animal companions’ welfare to benefit other animals, and they don’t want to subject dogs and cats just like theirs to cruel and unnecessary experimentation. We’re talking about dog and cat food here. The truth is, this continued experimentation is about nothing more than Iams’ pocketbook.

posted by lizbud:KYS, I believe the question about Iams severing ties with "bad" lab testers is covered here in Whats going on with the dogs now? segment.>>>>

Thanks Lizbud.

I am not going to lie and say I am against
all animal testing, but I am against
animal cruelty testing when it involves products
such as perfumes, make-up
and dog food etc. Medical research is another story.


IF Iams has NOT cleaned
up it's act, then they deserve to be hurt in
the pocket book and shut down till they do.

Quote:

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Originally posted by dukedogsmom
I am sickened by this and plan on sending Iams and Eukanuba some emails. Also, I'm feeding Duke Science Diet for sentive skin. Does anyone know what I can feed him instead? Got to keep in mind his Pancreitis that he had in April.

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Wellness Fish and Potatoes is really good for allergies and pancreatitis. Micki and a few others on PT have and do use it. Lemme see if I can find the thread...

Here's one alternative for dog & cat foods that I've found other
than the list of companies already listed that sell pet foods from
companies that don't abuse animals to sell their products.


http://www.petfoodshop.com/

Edit: One more from Better Nutrition Magazine,

http://www.betternutrition.com/view....03&article=478

If anyone here is interested in switching over to a brand that is 100% cruelty free I highly recomment Wysong. I recently switched over from Science Diet to Wysong and have had a really good experience. Not only is it 100% cruelty free but the ingredients are all human grade, no hormones or chemicals. Send me a PM if you have any questions.

I think I'm going to order the Wellness stuff. He's been itching bad again and the shampoo isn't working this time. Maybe this food will help. Thanks so much for telling me about it!

I can't find the thread, but Micki or Parnone will probably tell you all about it. :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by Uabassoon
If anyone here is interested in switching over to a brand that is 100% cruelty free I highly recomment Wysong. I recently switched over from Science Diet to Wysong and have had a really good experience. Not only is it 100% cruelty free but the ingredients are all human grade, no hormones or chemicals. Send me a PM if you have any questions.

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Thanks so much for this tip.:) Do you know if they make Dog
and Cat foods? I believe many folks would be willing to switch
brands if shown the other choices available. Thanks for the info.

Quote:

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Originally posted by lizbud
Thanks so much for this tip.:) Do you know if they make Dog
and Cat foods? I believe many folks would be willing to switch
brands if shown the other choices available. Thanks for the info.

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Yes, they make both dog and cat foods. :)
Wysong Website: www.wysong.net

The moment I deced I would NEVER buy Iams is when I read this paragraph

Not For the Weak Stomach!!

"Our investigator videotaped Iams dogs being dumped on cold concrete flooring after having huge chunks of muscle cut out of their thighs; a co-worker instructing her to hit the dogs on the chest if they quit breathing; another co-worker talking about an Iams dog found dead in his cage, bleeding from his mouth; a dog limping in pain from Lyme disease; cruel studies done by Iams involving sticking tubes down dogs' throats to force them to ingest vegetable oil; Iams dogs with such severe tartar buildup on their teeth that it was painful for them to eat; vet technicians with inadequate training and experience performing invasive procedures; two co-workers conducting a pregnancy test on a terrified dog lying on top of a cart with wheels that moved every time she struggled; dogs and cats gone stir crazy from confinement; dogs and cats in windowless, dungeon-like buildings; co-workers talking about the live kitten who was washed down a drain; co-workers talking about how they had to go home because the ammonia fumes in the animal trailers were so overpowering that it made their eyes burn (try being one of the animals in those cages!); and cats kept in a cinderblock room with crude wooden "resting" boards that had nails sticking out of them. One of the boards fell on a cat, crushing her to death, while our investigator was there. The lab director did not remove the boards when the cat was crushed but he did remove them when he was told the lab was going to be inspected because he knew they were illegal."

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/news/2003/iams.htm

Some more Links

These pictures are heart brakeing, not graphic at all!
http://www.iamscruelty.com/iams.html

Another site
http://www.moggies.co.uk/html/iams.html

If your are STILL in Doubt or want to learn more about the cruelty PLEASE read this site which will give you some in-sight into what heppens.

http://www.animalliberation.com.au/n...ws6June2k1.htm


Ashley


ps: This is Funny, I revently sent an email to Paws With a Cause who incorages all puppy raisers to feed there puppies Iams (BLAH), informning them of what Iams does.

I Personally feed Chicken Soup. I love it!


Ashley

Liz, I read about it in the PETA magazine (an interesting read, regardless of your opinion of PETA) and was disgusted. My furrbaby Randi has a VERY delicate tummy and for awhile all we could feed him is IAMS because it's the only one that doesn't make him sick. He cannot eat raw meat or mushy food at all.

At the moment, I am enduring diahorrea all over the laundry floor and plaintative meows (he hates the food he's on at the moment and is also a bit uncomfortable) until we can find an alternative. Jen has suggested the science diet delicate tummy which I will give a try. But, if nothing works, I may will (unfortunately) have to go back to IAMS (kicking and screaming) because my little boy can't suffer because of his meowmie's principles.

Pray that the science diet and other options work!!!!!!!!! I hate Procter and Gamble with a passion and would gladly avoid something on the basis that it is owned by those unscrupulous, greedy devils.

Whups! I guess this is out too. Well, that leaves no pet food brands left in Australia - except the supermarket stuff, but that makes Randi REALLY SICK!

What is a meowmie to do?

IttyBittyKitty,

If you feel you can't support a boycott because of health
issues with your kitty, why not send a letter to express how
Iams's practice of doing this cruel, pointless "testing" & surgical
procedures on animals. What's the point, except to use the
"tested research" phrase in advertizing their product over others.

My God, this isn't rocket science here, it's dog & cat food. Medical
science and dog food makers know exactly what vitamins &
minerals are needed for good nutrition for animals. People who
want Iams to change their practice of animal abuse can at least
write, or email & show their disapproval. I think it could make
a big difference for the animals.

I feed Wellness, and I've had fabulous luck with it! The dogs are both shinier and overall healthier looking, and when I got my grandma to switch her kitty to it, the kitty's persistant Urinary Tract infections disappeared!

FYI: While Colgate does currently test on animals, they are also researching new, better ways to conduct their experiments in the hopes that in a few years they won't have to use animals in their tests anymore. Perhaps the people who buy their pet foods will help fund a huge breakthrough...