What Was Behind the AVMA Policy?

This is a request for explanation of your recently approved Resolution 5 Animal-Source Protein Policy.  Specifically, on behalf of thousands of pet owners, I am requesting AVMA explanation as to why Resolution 5 excluded a warning – “to mitigate public health risks” – of “nutritionally balanced and complete commercially prepared” kibble pet foods; the ONLY pet food linked to human illness per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As you must be aware, the recent Diamond Pet Food manufacturing facility – a cooked/kibble pet food facility – experienced a significant pet food recall involving numerous brands of kibble dog and cat foods.  This recall resulted in 49 confirmed human cases of Salmonella Infantis linked to kibble pet food manufactured at Diamond’s Gaston, South Carolina plant.  To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have no confirmed cases of human illness linked to raw pet foods.

You must be aware that many thousands of pet owners feel the Resolution 5 AVMA policy – excluding the only confirmed type of pet food linked to human illness – appears to be biased.   You must be aware that a Purina Pet Foods executive sat on the board at Delta Society when their policy was approved, and you must be aware that thousands of pet food consumers believe this AVMA policy is linked to AVMA partnerships with large kibble manufacturers.

And lastly, you must be aware that your actions – approving a policy singling out one style of pet food – has caused massive consumer distrust of the AVMA and in turn member practicing veterinarians from thousands of pet owners.  Many pet owners are seeking out veterinarians that are not a member of AVMA as a result of your newly approved Resolution 5.

As a representative of pet food consumers – consumers that purchase kibble, can, fresh and raw pet foods – we are aware of the science linking all types of pet foods to dangerous pathogens.  We face many challenges when selecting a pet food for our beloved family members – dangerous pathogens is only one of our struggles.  However the fact remains, despite hundreds of studies, only kibble pet foods have a confirmed connection to human illness thus far.

To be painfully honest and by no means intended to show disrespect to AVMA, thousands of pet owners believe AVMA Resolution 5 was “bought” – paid for by donations/partnerships to AVMA.  We are asking for clarification/explanation.  Why did Resolution 5 exclude all other types of pet foods?  Why didn’t Resolution 5 address the “public health risks” of the only type of pet food confirmed linked to human illness – kibble?