• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Upcoming dvm360 Conferences
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
Veterinary Heroes
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Iams Co. endures PETA attacks

November 1, 2003
Jennifer Fiala

Dayton, Ohio-Iams Co. officials steadfastly deny animal activist reports that the pet food manufacturer permits animal abuse during the nutritional testing of its products.

Dayton, Ohio-Iams Co. officials steadfastly deny animal activist reports that the pet food manufacturer permits animal abuse during the nutritional testing of its products.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has released surreptitiously recorded video shot by an undercover activist in an Iams-contracted research facility. The footage, available on the group's Web site, shows animals that appear distressed, dogs undergoing muscle biopsies, animals housed in metal-slated, stacked cages and Beagles recovering from surgery on a concrete floor.

Since news of the conditions surfaced, Iams officials have severed ties with longtime contractor Sinclear Research Facility in Columbia, Mo. While the company insists many animals featured in the video are research subjects for other pet food manufacturers contracting at the same site, it acknowledges the lab did not meet its animal welfare standards.

Advertisement

"We don't take this lightly," says Dr. Dan Carey, Iams Research and Development's director of technical communications. "But some of the things they allege are blatant misinterpretation. Huge chunks of muscle taken from dogs, dogs handled inappropriately - these things didn't happen. The dogs were humanely treated."

Moving on

While Iams representatives admit the company should've been aware of conditions at the facility, they have since put a number of safeguards in place to prevent repeat occurrences. The company continues to work with facilities to meet their welfare expectations, Kelly Vanasse, an Iams spokeswoman says, and is enforcing its animal care policy.

"We've hired more people on our end to directly interact with our contracted facilities," she says. "We're staying true to our mission to enhance the well-being of dogs and cats. We're making changes; we're doing the right thing."

Company representatives are also addressing PETA's accusations within the veterinary community.

"We're completely transparent, and we're very proud of the work we do," Vanasse says. "For PETA, this is about publicity. It's about them attacking the number one pet food maker and gaining notoriety from that."


Advertisement

Latest News

Partners for Health Pets and VHMA collaboration publish white paper

Vetstoria releases its Fill Rate platform

What's new with the "Dentistry Lane" across the veterinary profession?

Meet the BlackDVM Network

View More Latest News
Advertisement