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Animals Still Suffer at Iams

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Platinum

Animals Still Suffer at Iams

For nearly 10 months in 2002 and early 2003, a PETA investigator worked undercover at Sinclair Research Center, a laboratory hired by Iams, and discovered a dark and sordid secret beneath the wholesome image of the dog- and cat-food manufacturer. Dogs had gone crazy because they were confined to barren steel cages and cement cells, dogs were left piled on a filthy paint-chipped floor after chunks of muscle had been hacked from their thighs, dogs were surgically debarked, and horribly sick dogs and cats were neglected and left in cages to suffer without any veterinary care.

Footage shows that Iams representatives toured the facility and witnessed dogs who were circling in their cells and sweltering in the summer heat. Iams knew the truth yet did nothing to protect the animals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated PETA's complaint and agreed that the laboratory had failed to provide veterinary care and pain relief to suffering animals, failed to provide animals with adequate space, and failed to train employees—along with nearly 40 other violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Sinclair Research Center paid a penalty of $33,000 for its violations.

After intense pressure from PETA and its supporters, Iams agreed to make the following significant changes in its testing program:

  • Iams bowed to pressure and severed its ties with Sinclair Research Center.
  • Iams ended all invasive and terminal experiments on dogs and cats.
  • Iams agreed to begin conducting humane in-home tests for palatability studies.

According to Iams, about 70 percent of the animals now in its tests reside at home with their families. In these studies, people volunteer their companion animals to participate in food and nutrition experiments from the comfort of their own homes. The human guardians can easily be trained to feed the animals and properly collect fecal and urine samples for laboratory analysis to determine the quality of the animal's food. "In-home" studies have been shown to work and have strong scientific support, as shown by the successful PetSci program, which was developed by Dr. Charles Abramson and Dr. Timothy Bowser of Oklahoma State University.

Even so, Iams still keeps up to 700 dogs and cats in its Dayton, Ohio, laboratory for non-invasive nutritional studies. They claim that this laboratory provides a decent environment for the animals, but they refuse to allow a PETA representative to see inside. Iams claims that some studies are too complex for in-home programs, but PETA urges Iams to collaborate with veterinary clinics for studies such as these. Veterinary clinics regularly see patients who suffer from ailments that a particular dog or cat food might help alleviate.

Iams has also refused to end invasive experiments on species other than dogs and cats. For one study, Iams gave Purdue University nearly $200,000 to conduct a two-year study in which experimenters taped the tails of mice to the tops of cages to keep their hind legs suspended in the air. This was done to cause muscular atrophy—the wasting away of muscle tissue. When PETA protested, the experiment was cut short.

Iams has also fought the release of information from a public university that had conducted a study funded by the company in which a painful disease was induced in dogs. What was Iams hiding?

Iams has made progress, but as an industry leader, it must send an even clearer message: No animal deserves the fate of those who remain in their laboratories. Safe, healthy cat and dog food does not require harming cats and dogs.

PETA continues to press Iams to ban conducting and funding invasive or terminal experiments on all species and to adopt 100 percent humane, non-invasive, and cage-free "in-home" testing, as many of Iams' compassionate competitors have done.

Until Iams agrees, we urge consumers to purchase dog and cat food from companies that do not test on animals. In the meantime, read about some other ways you can help the millions of animals every year who are abused and inadequately cared for?all in the name of research.

 

 

 

 

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Comments (16)

Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Kristin:

We need to keep putting pressure on these companies!

Dec 12, 2009 01:09 AM
Anonymous
Jenifer, RVT

Hello-

Unfortunately, there is highly inaccurate and misleading information circulating on the Internet regarding our feeding studies, and I am glad you have given me the opportunity, as someone who works for The Iams Company, to provide you with the facts. We are very passionate about cats and dogs, with a deep commitment to their health and welfare.

If you are interested in reading more, please visit www.IamsTruth.com and see what the ASPCA has to say about Iams at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dExk5nJY6AI

We recently invited bloggers to visit The Iams Company as well as our research facility. You can see what they have to say in their own words at:

http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/animal-testings-happy-healthy-test-subjects/2009/09/14/

http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/some-of-your-iams-questions-are-answered/

Thank you-

Jenifer, RVT

The Iams Company

Dec 12, 2009 02:01 AM
#2
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Dear Kristin,

This is tragic. I will not buy IAMS dog food to protest this inhumane treatment of these dogs. Thanks for letting us know about it!

Betina Foreman

Dec 12, 2009 03:14 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Hi Betina...I use Science Diet for all my kitties...I did however receive an email from an Iams employee saying this is not true any longer...you can read her comments on my Wordpress blog (just to be fair) :=)

Dec 12, 2009 05:20 AM
Rita Minion
O'Brien Realty - Solomons, MD

Hello Kristin,

I have not purchased IAMS dog or cat food in the past for my dog or cats, nor will I in the future.  This absolutely sickens me........I do thank you for informing us about it.  Spreading the word about animal experimentation helps to educate people about what goes on behind closed doors & what they can do to help. Most people don't have a clue.  There are many companies who are "Cruelty Free" (no live animal testing) and more people should purchase from them.  I always try and purchase household products, cosmetics, etc. that are labeled "Cruelty Free".  I personally will not buy from companies who torture animals in the name of research to sell their products.   

Rita

 

 

Dec 12, 2009 03:16 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Rita, I swear we are sisters b/c we think exactly alike!  I am glad to have found you here on the Rain!  THanks for being so kind and sharing my love for animals!!

Dec 13, 2009 12:40 AM
Mike Carlier
Lakeville, MN
More opinions than you want to hear about.

If Iams has ended their support for unnecessary animal testing, can the same be said for the rest of their corporation?  The soap, grocery, and toothpaste conglomerate, Procter and Gamble, make pet food as a small revenue stream for the corporation.  If you're serious about eliminating cruel testing on animals, why not boycott the entire company?  Also, I don't think Colgate - Science Diet has any better reputation than P & G.

 

 

Dec 13, 2009 12:53 AM
Angelia Garcia
Pure Realtors - Dallas, TX

Hi Kristin,

thanks for posting the truth about Iams.  I never have used their products.  Nor will I.  This is sooo awful.  I wonder if the employee is really telling the truth.

Dec 14, 2009 03:20 AM
Anonymous
Bev

Hi Kristin. So glad to see that you mentioned I contacted you. I hope we can all agree that there are two sides to every story.

Regarding P&G, please visit  http://www.pg.com/science/animal_alt.shtml.

Regarding my company (Iams), please visit www.IamsTruth.com for our side of this story. You might also be interested to read what the blogger on Catster had to say after she visited our facility:

http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/animal-testings-happy-healthy-test-subjects/2009/09/14/

All of us here at Iams are animal lovers--we wouldn't be in this business if we weren't. Whether you feed our products or not, I wish all of you long and healthy lives with your furry loved ones.

 

Dec 16, 2009 01:22 AM
#9
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Mike, I agree that there are MANY organizations that still do animal testing unfortunately....if you go to the PETA site, there is a comprehensive list of organizations that do/don't. 

Dec 16, 2009 01:27 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Angelia, I am not sure, but think folks should at least be aware of the situation to question it and make their own decisions.  Thanks!

Dec 16, 2009 01:28 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Oops, sorry Toula, I missed you at the top!!

Dec 16, 2009 01:29 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Jennifer, I have kept your comment and not simply deleted it like many would, bc I believe in giving both sides a chance to voice their opinions :-)

Dec 16, 2009 01:30 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Bev, I appreciate your additional information and will certainly keep your comment string going.  Take care

Dec 16, 2009 01:30 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Kristin, I've known about the IAMS nightmare for years and was hoping that someone would step in.  I have refused, and will continue to refuse, purchasing any IAMS products.  BTW years ago I tried their food on my dogs, it gave them all the runs!  From what I could tell back then their product is nothing but crap!  I'm surprised people still continue to buy into their product PR.

Dec 19, 2009 01:41 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Hi Terry...You are always informed my friend.  My vet actually told me too years ago to not use Iams, that they saw alot of liver and other cat issues associated with that....anywho...hope you are well!

Dec 19, 2009 02:04 AM