Further, the AVMA told a pet owner on Facebook today that I (Susan Thixton) have “made attacks, offensive remarks, and unfounded accusations about us on her blog.” Bad, bad pet owners and Caped Crusader. The AVMA thinks we’re bad.
Below is the response a pet owner received from the American Veterinary Medical Association Facebook page…she asked “Is the AVMA going to respond to Susan Thixton’s recent letter?”…
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
“Joan, we’ve repeatedly answered the questions asked about this, but they aren’t the answers Ms Thixton wants to hear. We’ve spoken our piece on our blog and explained the policy and how it originated.”
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
“Joan, we’re also working on some FAQs about it, with some more information. I hope to have them up on our website next week. Please don’t believe the internet-based rumors, allegations and conspiracy theories about the issue. We’re not making a statement comparing raw to other diets, either from a nutritional or safety standpoint. One of our councils felt that a specific policy was indicated. They may consider other policies related to pet foods and public health at upcoming meetings. We know that people who feed raw are passionate (and most of them have been quite…well, ‘vicious’ is the word that comes to mind…in defense of raw feeding), but people are trying to turn this into a scandal when it’s really just a policy based on sound public health science. It’s not a ban, and we don’t regulate feeding of pets, so this isn’t going to end raw feeding.”
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
“She contacted us prior to her first blog entry about it, and our media relations director spent an hour on the phone with her. Since that time, she’s made attacks, offensive remarks, and unfounded accusations about us on her blog. And many of her followers have come on the blog and on here, attacking us and making incredibly offensive, insulting remarks. So far, only a VERY SMALL number of people (I can count them on less than one hand) have appeared interested in any civil dialog. The main form of communication by raw feeders to us has been to attack and make accusations. Tell me, if you were approached that way by someone, and they appeared to show no interest in actually listening to what you had to say, how willing would you be to have further discussions with them?”
I’m guessing the AVMA is not going to respond to my email…what do you think?
The following is NOT Internet rumor…
1. The AVMA media relations director did NOT speak with me an hour. It was, at the very most, a ten minute conversation. She promised…gave me her word…to provide a contact person name and email address that pet owners could write to. She did not provide the information as she promised even with several follow up emails and phone message requests.
2. The AVMA has what is known as a “Platinum Partner Program” – Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Science Diet) is one of their Platinum Partners. Being a Platinum Partner means the AVMA receives $1.5 million dollars over four years from Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
3. A polite request for open communication was sent from myself (TruthaboutPetFood.com) on behalf of pet owners to AVMA prior to the vote on Resolution 5 and after the vote on Resolution 5. The AVMA has ignored both requests. TruthaboutPetFood.com has NOT attacked, made any offensive remarks, or unfounded accusations about AVMA.
4. There has NEVER been one human illness linked to a raw pet food diet. There have been 49 human illnesses confirmed to kibble pet foods.
Opinion…AVMA, you feel attacked. Guess what? So do thousands and thousands of pet owners – they feel attacked by AVMA. You threw the first stone, not pet owners. And it seems you continue to throw stones; shameful behavior of a national veterinary association.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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