My family has lost a cat to Priority cat food. The question I have is this. Legal action might produce reimbursement of veterinarian bills, and maybe adoption fees. But my understanding is that legally a pet is essentially a possession, like a desk chair or a picture frame. Do you think the courts will require them to pay some sort of pain/suffering damages? And, how will owners prove their pets died because of Menu Foods' products containing rat poison and/or melamine? And, even if it can be proven that the contaminated food was the reason for the pet's untimely death or illness, how are people going to provide proof of purchase of those specific products and lot numbers? I have a feeling that Menu is going to end up paying less in damages than they should because of the burden of proof on pet owners.

Anyway, here are a couple of class action Web sites:
www.menufoodscase.com (Illinois)
www.progressivelaw.com (Wisconsin)