From a press release: “The Petfood Consumer Rights Council, a first-of-its-kind consumer protection and animal welfare organization, has launched and announced its first key initiative, a 90-day founding member drive. The PCRC is the first 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in history devoted exclusively to advancing the rights and interests of American pet owners.“
The Petfood Consumer Rights Council is founded by “Daniel Schulof” – the founder and CEO of Keto Natural pet food brand. However…the ‘consumer protection’ website and the press release did not disclose it’s founder is a pet food manufacturer.
The press release states this consumer advocacy organization will be different. “The PCRC is designed to be different. We recognize that hundreds of millions of household pets already have smart, caring human guardians that are deeply invested in their health and well-being. We believe that the best way to help those animals live long and happy lives is to ensure that their guardians have all the tools and information they need to make good decisions on behalf of their pets.“
Another quote from pet food manufacturer Schulof: “Since its inception, the pet food industry has been essentially the only significant source of funding for veterinary nutrition research in the United States. That’s a problem, because it means that vital, ground-breaking studies can’t get funding if their findings potentially aren’t good for industry. Tobacco and lung cancer makes for an instructive comparison: if the only source of funding for lung cancer research was cigarette companies, we’d never have learned that smoking causes cancer.“
But again…the press release never discloses that Schulof is a pet food manufacturer.
Personal statement: Daniel Schulof has emailed me numerous times over the years. When I read the press release, I emailed Mr. Schulof regarding my concern that a pet food manufacturer is founding a pet food consumer protection organization without disclosure to pet owners. Mr. Schulof stated (in part): “Despite your skepticism I swear with my hand to God that I genuinely believe that an authentically independent and thriving version of this organization (not a pretend one that I’m actually controlling behind the scenes) will not just be good for pets and pet owners but will also be good for my company.”
Mr. Schulof offered to discuss this with me in detail, I declined. Mr. Schulof also stated he would add a disclosure to the Petfood Counsumer Rights Council website regarding his direct involvement in the pet food industry.
So…what do you think? Can a pet food manufacturer be an impartial consumer advocate? Should any pet food manufacturer be allowed to organize a pet food consumer advocacy group?
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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Rox
December 1, 2022 at 11:22 am
The smart consumer always follows the money trail. There are very few if any organizations that actually have no profit agenda. As seen in politics over decades upon decades olitical organizations name themselves in ways deliberately to fool people. As seen in the health insurance industry using language to obfuscate reality; for example, the term “preferred” does not mean the customer has the preferences it means the insurance company does. As seen in the pet insurance industry which is disastrously unregulated and predatory on consumers via manipulating pet parents’ emotions into believing that pet insurance is the answer to veterinary pricing which itself is in lockstep with corporatized vet medicine delivering disinformation disguised as truth and bullying pet parents into overvaccinating and buying disgusting unhealthy ingredient pet foods through those vet clinics. It is sad and disappointing and very very discouraging that we have to be so incredibly vigilant and spend so much time sussing out the truth about these things. Susan’s list is one of a tiny handful of such lists that actually CAN BE TRUSTED. Thanks Susan for saving time, energy, money, and most of all our beloved pets’ health with your unflagging efforts. Wish there was similar protection for the consumer in the other industries!!!
L.
December 1, 2022 at 11:27 am
Manufacturers are starting “advocacy” and “industry standards” initiatives. These are a continuation of marketing efforts that cloud the marketplace with deceptive practices and marketing spin that work in favor of the industry players. Pet owners will continue to take the bait and put their pet’s health and safety as well as the pet owner’s financial and emotional welfare at risk.
Jill
December 1, 2022 at 12:48 pm
I think some people are so frustrated with the state of commercial pet food that they are trying anything to get the word out, so I don’t blame him & will probably be interested in “his” council & what they have to say.
Sally
December 1, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Yes, it does seem like a self-serving way for the manufacturer to benefit from independent research, and it’s $10/month to be a consumer member. What bugs me the most is the use of the term animal welfare as only meaning good nutrition for a companion animal. What about the brutal lives and deaths of farm animals, and then feeding them to your dog?
Lonnie Overdorf
December 1, 2022 at 1:37 pm
While he may sound sincere, its really hard to believe there is no conflict of interest here. Its just like the vet schools having Hills teaching the “nutrition” classes.
Mary Dimino
December 1, 2022 at 2:01 pm
I didn’t like his comment that it, “will also be good for my company.” Again, is his motivation money or does he truly care about changing things for the better? Then again, his statement that he intends to disclose his direct involvement in the pet food industry on the Petfood Consumer Rights council website seems to indicate that he is sincere. Not sure what to think.