KIMBERLY A. WERNER, VMD

"Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of bags of SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend dry cat food sold at Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled following a positive test result indicating a potential contamination with Salmonella. This product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should dispose of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com."

Recalled Pet Food Product: SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend Dry Cat Food

Best If Used By Date: AUG 11 09 (Best If Used By Date Location: Back of bag)

Production Lot Code: 50 XXXX X (Found on back of bag just after "Best If Used By" date. Consumers should look for "50" as the first two digits of the second line.)

UPC Code: UPC code numbers can be found directly underneath the bar code on the package. Recalled UPC information below:

3.5lb. SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend, #81131 17546

7lb. SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend, #81131 17547

18lb. SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend, #81131 17548

Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of all dry pet food products produced at its plant in Everson, Fayette County between Feb. 18, 2008 and July 29, 2008 citing potential contamination with salmonella. For a complete list of recalled products and a listing of UPC codes visit: www.petcare.mars.com.

"Even though no direct link between product produced at Everson and human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility beginning February 18, 2008 until July 29, 2008 when we stopped production."

"Mars Petcare US will work with all of its customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com."

"Veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have reviewed the claim in a widely distributed email alleging a relationship between the use of Swiffer Wet Jet and liver failure leading to death in a dog. This cleaning system contains water (90-100%), propylene glycol n-propyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether and isopropyl alcohol (1-4%), ingredients that are safe when used around pets according to label directions. Propylene glycol n-butyl/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol, the toxic ingredient in most antifreeze products. The ASPCA will continue to monitor this situation and will post any additional information as it becomes available. For further information call 1-888-426-4435 or visit www.apcc.aspca.org."¹

"Stories have recently surfaced relating to dogs choking, getting intestinal obstructions or even dying from Greenies. This website provides a fact-based forum including statistics and research findings, visit www.thetruthaboutgreenies.com for more details."

"Diamond Pet Foods announced on December 20, 2005, that it had found aflatoxin in one of its products manufactured in Gaston, South Carolina. This problem affects only products manufactured in the Gaston, SC, facility. It does not affect pet food produced at the Meta, MO, or Lathrop, CA, facilities. Please visit Diamond Pet Foods for more details."