New Forum Poll

[Laura's Babies]

My thoughts are this...

HOPEFULLY, this recall is just a temporary thing that will pass and for those that wouldn't go to another forum, they may miss something very important. I think new forums should be left for permenant things.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I don't think a new forum is necessary ...
I think a sticky thread or an announcement would be enough.

I don't think we need all of the previous threads ...

The heart of the problem is "ALL the previous threads"!

I jump on my soapy box again ...
When something "happens" - be it a Pet Emergency or a Nationwide Food Crisis ...
Some of us can't resist the *urge* to tell the world with a post.
Well, that's GREAT - create an Interesting and Informative Summary of The Problem
and use that as your thread Title. TELL a short story with the title - a good title
will ensure a lot of folks will read your message.

And if YOU think something should be "added", or YOU find "additional information"
on that same general subject,
PLEASE, Please resist the temptation to *>start ANOTHER new thread<*

ADD your new info to the existing thread!
* Everyone following the thread will see it
* It will up to the TOP of the thread lists
* It will increase the "replies" count - automatically increasing readership/interest
* Newest "stuff" will always be the most recent posted ... you don't *HAVE TO* read it all

If you've noticed ... the Pet Food Recall topic now has DOZENS of threads,
scattered all over the Board, with many repeats of the same info.

A "NEW Forum" won't eliminate this problem - better posting habits will.

Same Philosophy applies to more personal posts ... an all too frequent series >>>
* HELP - Urgent - Please Read ... story told of Fluffie "limping"
* Fluffie hurt her paw ... story continues (NEW thread) of hangnail discovered
* What should I do ... asks if PTS would be required , no reference to previous threads
* My Vet is closed - Oh Help!
* (A week later) We're home from the Vet
* (A month later) She's still limping ...

OK, a lil exaggerated, but not by much!

Pick a GOOD Title - tell a little "story" with the title ...
then STICK WITH IT and Keep it Going!

Our oldie of "Cinder wants to keep the Stray she "found"...
ref: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=3850
started on January 22, 2001 and ran for 2 1/2 YEARS on the SAME Title!

[Catty1]

Phred - I agree with you. I also think it is easier to changing posting options than people!

How about combining "Nutrition" or "Feeding" with the title of the Health forum?
A sticky could go in for Food Alerts only, and general health and feeding threads could carry on.

Just my 2 cents.

[Randi]

If you've noticed ... the Pet Food Recall topic now has DOZENS of threads, scattered all over the Board, with many repeats of the same info.

A "NEW Forum" won't eliminate this problem - better posting habits will.

Same Philosophy applies to more personal posts ... an all too frequent series >>>
* HELP - Urgent - Please Read ... story told of Fluffie "limping"
* Fluffie hurt her paw ... story continues (NEW thread) of hangnail discovered
* What should I do ... asks if PTS would be required , no reference to previous threads
* My Vet is closed - Oh Help!
* (A week later) We're home from the Vet
* (A month later) She's still limping ...

OK, a lil exaggerated, but not by much!

Pick a GOOD Title - tell a little "story" with the title ...
then STICK WITH IT and Keep it Going!

Phred, I SO agree with this! And yes, "Cinder wants to keep the Stray she "found" was a looong thread, and easy to remember the title of, because it was running for so long. Also easier for newer members to do a search, once you know the thread title, or if it has lots of replies.

If there MUST be another Forum, I quite like Catty1's idea.

[Freedom]

I voted yes.. But this idea from wolf_Q sounds good..

ME TOO!!!

I am definitely one who has been posting recall notices in multiple places. Like this morning's salmonella recall. First, the existing threads were about the Menu Foods recall, so that didn't seem a proper fit. Second, this one covered treats for dogs, cats, AND FERRETS. The prior ones did not impact any other pets, that I remember anyhow.

Where the heck was I supposed to put it? I am not apologiizing for putting it in three places; I have said else where, I would love to have ONE place to put that stuff. That's why I agree that we need a place.

In any recall posts I have made, I have always included a link to either a news story or the food maker's web site. I don't just post and expect folks to take my word for it. I think this is important for however we do this going forward.

AND, the news today also said that there will be more foods added to the wheat gluten list, as more companies finish their research. So yup, everyone who said they thing this is going to continue, I agree with that too.

OK, Mayor, put on your thinking cap and figure out how we can make this easier on all of us!

[Blue_Frog]

I think that the issue at this point is the equivalent of trying to close the barn door once the horses have bolted ... there already are -dozens- of threads spread out all over the different boards, covering all the different recalls. And, as all the different manufacturers start to scrutinize their products over the course of the next days, weeks or even months, i fully expect to see more recalls happen.

I think that the goal of a new forum, be it permanent or temporary, is to neatly consolidate all the existing threads into one area.

If we consolidate all the existing threads into one thread, and close all the other threads, it may become overwhelming as people have to read through pages and pages of information to get the one piece they are looking for, depending on how long this whole issue continues. It may also cause confusion as many recalls end up in the same thread, which may or may not pertain to your pets needs. Having clearly defined threads for each recall, with proper titles and the animals affected may be a cleaner way to do this.

I am personally for the mayors idea to start a new area for these recalls - i believe it would be a much neater and more organized way of doing things.

[kimlovescats]

Yes, good idea.

Anything to avoid another sticky! I hate stickies and never, ever notice them anymore because I always see them and I look below them.

I tend to agree with Catnapper. Of course, I wouldn't have put it so "strongly"! (love ya, Kim!)

I vote for the forum, because these sorts of things are likely to crop up from time to time ... not just for food, but other pet products, like the Hartz flea products for example!

[BC_MoM]

Yes, good idea.

Anything to avoid another sticky! I hate stickies and never, ever notice them anymore because I always see them and I look below them.

lol, Same here.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Stickies are somewhat annoying, but I'd rather have a million stickies than a whole new forum. I also agree on the fact of bumping up old threads and not making a new one everytime something new comes up. It just clutters up board space and isn't necessary. So, I voted No. We don't need another forum, just one general sticky in each of the main sections would be just fine.

[mike001]

I'm happy with things the way they are but if everyone is in favor of the new forum I can be just as happy with that too.

[lizbud]

I agree with this also.

I voted Other for the same reasons.

Hopefully recalls won't become a regular occurrence.

[chocolatepuppy]

My thoughts are this...

HOPEFULLY, this recall is just a temporary thing that will pass and for those that wouldn't go to another forum, they may miss something very important. I think new forums should be left for permenant things.

I agree with this and I pray this will soon be over.I'd rather have it as a sticky.

[Sophist]

I voted no, but on second thought, maybe 'other' is a good answer.

Maybe a spot for 'emergency' or urgent news updates, like pet food or med recalls, bills that would potentially cause big changes in pet laws that you'll occassionally see petitions floating around here for, precautions to take for each new 'disease-of-the-week' scare, etc.

You know, like this big scare, before that the greenie debacle, each BSL thing that pops up, one spot for all big urgent public alerts that aren't more appropriate in other spots (like urgent rescues would still go in rescues, and community issues would still go elsewhere)

Just something that popped into my head two seconds ago, not sure how much of a nightmare it would be to implement. Maybe you already have something similar that has just never caught my eye.

[Craftlady]

my first post
I started the question about having a forum for this very important topic.
I voted for a special forum although in my post above link, I thought a sticky would do. As this whole mess has expanded and has a life of its own, there is to much important information out there to get lost all over the board.
As far as posting to much in one area, unfortunately with time restrants of peoples daily lives it's easier to post "new" then to hunt down a thread that you want to reply to.

[Almita]

I said no to leave the things how they are.