Dinnertime for Gracie

One of my best friends is our family dog, Gracie. She is a pure bred English Springer Spaniel and has been with us for almost two years. Anne and I brought her home when she was four months old, obtaining her from a breeder in Ottawa, Canada. Like most folks who do not discover the wonders of dog friendship until after thirty, I used to dread the dog hair and slobbering that I observed in others' pets. Now it is just another reality of daily life (although I must admit, it can get a little tiring sweeping up Gracie's hair from the stairway four times weekly!) Originally we had thought about competing with Gracie in conformation shows, as all of our lives became busier and busier that goal became less and less likely.

I mention Gracie because, as a responsible owner, I walk the dog at least once daily and feed her dinner each evening. To this point, I have given her Adult Iams dry food. But now, I have a problem. Some of my online research of dog food has led me to the PETA website.

The testing that Iams does on cats and dogs in the interest of testing their foods, specifically the treatment of these testing animals, is being called into question. The PETA campaign revolves around a boycott of Iams products by many of the stakeholders in the pet food business. As reported on the PETA run website IamsCruelty.com:

Showing a groundswell of support for the boycott of Iams products, over 100 animal shelters, veterinarians, and companion-animal supply stores have severed their ties with Iams.

The 96 shelters, 34 veterinary clinics, and 36 retail stores across the United States, Canada, and Australia are joining PETA’s boycott of Iams products because Iams confines animals to cages to conduct cruel laboratory tests on them.

While giant retailers and wealthy groups like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) have decided to profit from Iams’ abuse of animals, these shelters, vet clinics, and stores are refusing to benefit from cruelty to animals. They are insisting that Iams end its laboratory tests on animals and instead rely on humane feeding tests conducted in homes and in veterinary offices using animals volunteered by their guardians.

Further research indicates that this is only one of many practices employed by Iams in testing food that is cruel and inhumane to animals, not just cats and dogs. Given this information, Anne and I have a decision to make: Are there other safe, nutritious pet foods we can buy for Gracie that have not been tested on animals through cruel and inhumane ways? While I accept the need for strategic animal testing, I believe there is a way to do this under conditions that allow the animal to live a dignified life free of unnecessary prolonged pain.

At this point there is about four days worth of "Gracie's food" left. During this time we will make an informed decision regarding what we should and could feed Gracie, to honor our committment to feeding her healthy foods, as well as continuing to live in a way which is respectful of all animal life.

If you have any suggestions, please share them.