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Friday, April 27, 2007
Natural Balance Recalls Five SKUs, Says Rice Protein Used Without Its Knowledge
PETCO stores overnight removed from their sales floors five Natural Balance wet food SKUs -three dog cans and two cat cans - after Natural Balance advised the company that the products may include melamine-contaminated rice protein concentrate imported from China.
"Our canned food manufacturer, American Nutrition, from Ogden Utah, just informed us that they are recalling all canned products made in their plant that contain rice protein concentrate," Natural Balance said in a statement late Thursday. "American Nutrition continued by telling us that they added this ingredient to four of our canned products without our knowledge or consent."
"To make sure that this does not happen in the future, we are demanding from each of our co-manufacturers daily production record of all of our formulas before they are shipped to us and written certification of NO rice protein or any deviation of our formulas," Natural Balance said. "We have reviewed all of our other products and determined that they are free of rice protein concentrate and that all of our other product labels are accurate."
All PETCO stores were directed on Thursday to immediately remove the affected products. The products have been also removed from www.petco.com and blocked from replenishment.
Natural Balance said there have been no illnesses reported related to feeding the recalled formulas. Nevertheless - as a precaution - we are advising our customers to discontinue feeding any of the recalled products to their pet and to return unused product for a full credit to their store.
Here are the affected products:
Chicken Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz
Lamb Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz
Beef Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz
Ocean Fish Formula Canned Cat Food 3 oz & 6 oz
Venison cat cans are NOT affected.
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Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The Search is On -- Again
Get ready Chihuahua owners, PETCO's search for America's Fastest Chihuahua is on! The third annual PETCO Unleashed Chihuahua Races will be held during the first three weekends in May in 15 cities across the country. Check out PETCO.com/petcounleashed for details! The regional winners will receive a trip to San Diego and a stay at the Omni San Diego Hotel, to compete for the title of America's Fastest Chihuahua at PETCO Park, during a MLB game! The Fastest Chihuahua will also receive a year's supply of food from Royal Canin.  I had so much fun at the races last year. In some cities we had almost 300 Chihuahuas race. Even if you don't have a Chihuahua the races are a blast. Will Tiger from Bakersfield, CA triumph again? He is going to have some quick competition! Heather O. PETCO San Diego
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159 Pets Find New Homes!
The PETCO in Golden, CO helped find homes for 159 pets during the largest pet adoption event in Colorado history Saturday! The Counselors for Critters adoption event, co-sponsored by Jefferson County Bar Association, invited more than 40 animal welfare organizations from around the state to educate the community about adoption and help find homes for the countless local pets available for adoption. The team at the Golden store plans to host another event in September. Congratulations to all who made this event happen and the families that helped save a life. Susan R. PETCO Foundation  
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Friday, April 20, 2007
Melamine in Rice Protein Concentrate Prompts Action by Royal Canin
PETCO stores received direction overnight Thursday to immediately pull from shelves four Sensible Choice dry dog foods made by Royal Canin. The products contain rice protein concentrate that may have been part of an imported shipment contaminated with melamine.
With the various size bags, 10 PETCO SKUs are affected:
SKU Description
185876 SEN-DOG 40# ADULT LAMB&RICE
185868 SEN-DOG 20# ADULT LAMB&RICE
597058 SEN-DOG 5# ADULT LAMB&RICE
909742 SEN-DOG 35# SENIOR LAMB&RICE
909718 SEN-DOG 18# SENIOR LAMB&RICE
185892 SEN-DOG 20# PUPPY LAMB&RICE
185906 SEN-DOG 40# PUPPY LAMB&RICE
682179 SEN-DOG 5# PUPPY LAMB&RICE
909750 SEN-DOG 35# SENIOR CHKN&RICE
909726 SEN-DOG 18# SENIOR CHKN&RICE
Royal Canin notified PETCO of the action Thursday evening West Coast time and later posted an update on the Royal Canin web site.
"Although we have no confirmed cases of illness in pets, we have decided to voluntarily remove the following dry pet food products that contain rice protein concentrate due to the presence of a melamine derivative," Oliver Amice, President and CEO of Royal Canin USA, said on the web site message. "We are taking this proactive stance to voluntarily recall these products to avoid any confusion for our customers about which Royal Canin USA products are safe and which products may be affected."
Royal Canin, Natural Balance and Blue Buffalo are three of five pet food companies that the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday said has received shipments of melamine-contaminated rice protein concentrate imported from China. All affected Natural Balance products that PETCO carries have been removed from shelves. PETCO stores do not carry any Blue Buffalo foods.
The FDA said Thursday that its investigation into the melamine contamination continues, and that the other two companies that received the imported material would be publicly identified if any contaminated ingredients made it into production of final products.
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Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Stores Directed to Remove Natural Balance Venison Dog Products and Dry Venison Cat Food from Shelves
The following communication is being distributed to all PETCO stores Tuesday afternoon. For Natural Balance press release, click here.
PETCO stores, acting upon the advice of Natural Balance, are being asked to immediately remove from shelves 13-ounce cans of Venison & Brown Rice for dogs and 14-ounce packages of Venison & Brown Rice Treats.
Product codes for the two SKUs, as well as five SKUs of dry venison formulas (three for dogs and two for cats) that were pulled overnight Friday, are being blocked at the registers to prevent their inadvertent sale.
"In light of all the recall activity over the past month, our vendors and officials at the FDA are closely reviewing any consumer calls and concerns regarding pet food products," PETCO CEO Jim Myers said Tuesday. "In this case, Natural Balance was proactive in investigating consumer calls and in sharing information with the FDA. We anticipate that this environment of heightened concern and continued research will ultimately lead investigators and scientists to clearly identify what's causing health problems among the nation's cats and dogs. Until then, we will continue to provide updated information and our best advice to customers."
Natural Balance, which is working with the FDA, said it initiated the recall after discovering the chemical melamine in two of the recalled products, which contain rice protein concentrate. The company discovered the melamine in laboratory tests of food samples conducted in response to consumer complaints received last week of animals vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. The company said it suspects the melamine was in rice protein concentrate, which was recently added to certain formulas, and that it believes the problems are limited to one short period of production.
As a precaution, Natural Balance decided to recall all products containing rice protein concentrate, regardless of production date. Customers should stop feeding the recalled products immediately, as a precautionary measure.
Natural Balance informed PETCO Tuesday that NONE of the company's other products contain rice protein concentrate, and that NO Natural Balance products contain wheat gluten. Venison formulas of canned cat food are not affected.
PETCO's action is consistent with our ongoing commitment to coordinate with vendors and to provide updated information to associates in an effort to help consumers make good decisions about what to feed their pets.
Here are the seven Natural Balance SKUs being pulled from PETCO shelves:
Today
616982 VAN-DOG 13z VENISON & BROWN RICE DOG FOOD WET
1028766 VAN-DOG 14z VENISON & BROWN RICE TREAT DOG TREAT
Friday
943290 VAN-DOG 5# VENISON &BROWN RICE DOG FOOD DRY
943304 VAN-DOG 17# VENISON&BROWN RICE DOG FOOD DRY
943312 VAN-DOG 30# VENISON&BROWN RICE DOG FOOD DRY
976610 VAN-CAT 5# VENISON & GREEN PEA CAT FOOD DRY
1002961 VAN-CAT 10# VENISON&GREENPEA CAT FOOD DRY
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PETCO Stores Remove Natural Balance Venison Dry Formulas from Shelves
PETCO stores, acting immediately upon the advice of Natural Balance, have pulled all Natural Balance Venison dry food for cats and dogs from store shelves. In addition, we have blocked the product codes at our registers to prevent inadvertent sale of these products.
Natural Balance advises customers to stop feeding its Venison dry foods immediately as a precautionary measure.
Here is a statement from the Natural Balance web site: "We do not know what is wrong with the food at this time, but we have heard that animals are vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. Although the problems seem to be focused on one particular lot, as a precautionary measure, we are pulling all dates of Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food from the shelves."
The company also said it is working with Food and Drug Administration officials.
Unlike other products recalled recently because of contaminated wheat gluten, these Natural Balance products contain NO wheat ingredients. An FDA spokeswoman, quoted in media stories today, said the agency had no indication that this Natural Balance action is related to the contaminated wheat gluten believed to be at the heart of the earlier recall of products manufactured by Menu Foods.
PETCO customers who feed their pets Venison & Brown Rice dry dog food or Venison & Green Pea dry cat food should immediately discontinue feeding the food and return the product to the store for a full refund.
Natural Balance has informed us that this only involves their Venison dry formulas and none of its remaining products are affected by this problem. For more information go to http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
The five SKUs pulled from the PETCO shelves are:
943290 VAN-DOG 5# VENISON &BROWN RICE
943304 VAN-DOG 17# VENISON&BROWN RICE
943312 VAN-DOG 30# VENISON&BROWN RICE
976610 VAN-CAT 5# VENISON & GREEN PEA
1002961 VAN-CAT 10# VENISON&GREENPEA
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Thursday, April 12, 2007
$1.7 Million for Animal Shelters!
PETCO and the PETCO Foundation just wrapped up the Spring A Pet fundraiser. Thank you to all who donated. Check out the press release...
Animal Shelters to Receive Nearly $1.7 Million from PETCO Foundation
The PETCO Foundation's annual Spring A Pet Fundraiser concluded Sunday, raising nearly $1.7 million for animal rescue organizations nationwide.
"We are so proud to distribute monies collected each year from our Spring a Pet campaign to organizations that dedicate their resources to helping animals," says PETCO Foundation Vice President and Director Paul Jolly. "During the fundraiser, each PETCO store selected an adoption group that celebrates the human-animal bond and collected donations on their behalf."
Additionally, PETCO's pet insurance partner, PetCare Pet Insurance Programs - offered and owned by Pethealth Inc. - contributed $5,000 to the cause.
"There are thousands of animal shelters across the country filled with dogs, cats and other pets looking to find loving homes and the generous donations made by PETCO associates, vendors and customers help these organizations continue their efforts," says Jolly.
Why the donations make a difference:
-Approximately 8 million animals will flood animal shelters this year and 4-6 million of those are euthanized.
-Animal organizations not only care for animals until they find new homes, many also provide rescue, medical and counseling services.
- On average, it costs a shelter roughly $75 per spay/neuter surgery.
-Through generous donations, animal welfare organizations are able to charge an affordable adoption fee.
PETCO encourages customers to consider adoption before the purchase of any companion animal - even if it's one of the birds, reptiles, or small animals currently offered in PETCO stores. For more information on the PETCO Foundation or to locate a store near you, visit http://www.petco.com/.
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Wednesday, April 11, 2007
What Happens to Recalled Products?
Some customers have asked what happens to the food that has been removed from ours shelves as a result of the recent pet food recall. All of the recalled products are being picked up at stores by vendor representatives and then returned to Menu Foods, which will see that the food is destroyed. Samples of the recalled products may also be used for more analysis as part of the ongoing investigation into the causes of the recall and into ways to prevent similar recalls in the future.
At PETCO, the health and well-being of our customers' pets is our priority and we have removed all affected food from our shelves. Additional information about the recall and pet nutrition is available at www.PETCO.com
Rick Rockhill
Merchandise Manager
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Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Nutro 3-Ounce Max Cat Cans Recalled; 5.5-Ounce Max Cat Cans Not Recalled
Menu Foods expanded its recall list Tuesday, adding a number of pet foods manufactured in its Canadian production facility - including 17 SKUs of 3-ounce Nutro Max Cat cans carried by PETCO.
All affected products offered at PETCO have been removed from store shelves and blocked from www.petco.com online orders.
Menu Foods said the move was triggered by news that some of the wheat gluten contaminated with melamine originally shipped to its Kansas plant was later transferred and used in the Canadian facility. This is the first time products manufactured in Canada were included in a recall since Menu Foods' original recall announcement on March 16. The entire list of products added to the recall can be viewed at Menu Foods website.
The Nutro 3-ounce Max Cat cans are the only items in the most recently announced recall that are available at PETCO stores and online. Nutro says that the 5.5-ounce Max Cat Cans are not part of this recall and can remain on PETCO shelves and available online.
For more information, please go to Nutro website.
The Nutro products that have been removed from PETCO shelves and online are:
268810 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC SLM&WTFS
268828 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC CKN SUPM
268836 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC LMB&TRKY
283630 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC BEEF&EGG
283649 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC TK&CKLV
283657 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC SEAFD&TM
283665 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC STW DK
283673 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC STW VN
268801 NTR-CAT 3Z CAN MAX GC VEAL PAT
499870 NTR-CAT 3z CAN MAX GC KT CN&LR
499889 NTR-CAT 3z CAN MAX KIT TKY&GBT
499897 NTR-CAT 3z CAN MAX KIT CHK&OF
903400 MC$-NTR-CAT 3Z CAN GC CKN CAC
903418 NTR-CAT 3z CAN GC SEA JMBALAYA
903426 MC$-NTR-CAT 3Z CAN GC BEEF RAG
929441 NTR-CAT 3z CAN GC ALSKN HALIBT
903434 MC$-NTR-CAT 3Z CAN CC KIT CK&L
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The Dog Whisperer Comes to PETCO!
On Saturday, PETCO hosted a meet & greet with famed dog trainer and television star Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. The appearance was a huge success with over 1,800 fans in attendance and some die hard fans were overwhelmed. The show's producers were there interviewing pet parents interested in appearing in new episodes and they got tons of applications. STAR radio raffled PETCO gift cards and prizes, and everyone that met Cesar received a PETCO goody bag filled with natural food samples and treats. Shelter Pet Partners held adoptions and 5 lucky dogs found new homes. Cesar may be coming near you! He is making his way across the country and will visit the Miami-Dadeland PETCO in Fla. on May 12 and the PETCO in Woodbury, Minn. on June 2. Happy training!
Tina I.
PETCO San Diego
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Thursday, April 05, 2007
Menu Foods Expands Recall: PETCO Products Not Affected
Today Menu Foods announced they were updating their original recall list to include a wider range of production dates for some products as well as adding 20 new varieties. No new brands were added to the Menu Foods list.
These updates do not affect PETCO, which carries none of the newly added varieties added to the recall list. PETCO made the decision early-on to remove all recalled products from its shelves, regardless of the production date.
Click here for the updated Menu Foods list.
Click here for the list of recalled products previously carried at PETCO.
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Sunshine Mills Recall of Dog Biscuits Does Not Affect PETCO
Sunshine Mills announced Thursday they were recalling a portion of its branded dog biscuits made at its Red Bay, Ala., biscuit plant last month.
PETCO does not carry Sunshine Mills products.
For a complete list of affected biscuit brands, sizes and codes, click here.
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Monday, April 02, 2007
Go Hammy Go!
This weekend was all about hamsters at PETCO's National Hamster Ball Derby that took place at stores across the country. Everyone always has such a good time. During the races, one of our stores in Arizona was able to find homes for four hamsters that were available for adoption - great news! For all of you hamster enthusiasts that missed the races this time - don't worry the next race will be Sept. 8, 2007 at a PETCO location near you! Enjoy the pictures!
Rachel M. PETCO San Diego   
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Sunday, April 01, 2007
Wheat Gluten 101: The Pet Food Institute
Our stores are receiving a lot of questions about wheat gluten and its involvement in the recent pet food recalls. I just came across this web posting from the Pet Food Institute and thought it particularly good to share with fellow pet parents. Bottom line - wheat gluten is a common and typically safe ingredient in pet products.
Rick Rockhill
Merchandise Manager
Premium & Specialty Dog Foods
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