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IAMS response to Sunday Express story in the United Kingdom - June 3rd 2001.

A recent story in the Sunday Express was inaccurate and contained misleading and sensationalist allegations about animal cruelty and we are appalled by this misconception. Here are the facts:

1. The IAMS Company made a firm and binding decision that we would not consider or sponsor any new studies that required the euthanasia of dogs and cats.

• We made this decision two years ago as we could continue to make crucial health advances without such studies because certain key findings had already been made and new, alternative research methods have been developed (e.g. MRI for examining bones and joints).
• Early in our efforts to develop nutritional health advances, we sponsored research at veterinary schools at North American Universities. This research answered vital questions about animal health. Based on those answers, we have been able to make many discoveries including advances in:
  
  
  • Canine/Feline kidney disease, which resulted in our specific, veterinary diets, available only by prescription. These diets make a significant difference in the lives of cats and dogs with renal failure, a chronic and fatal illness that affects 15% of dogs and 25% of cats.
  • Skeletal development, which makes a big difference for large breed dogs, where painful and debilitating developmental bone problems can occuring up to 40% of puppies.
  
  
• Since reaching this decision, we have started no further studies of this nature anywhere in the world. We knew that some long-term research projects were underway. These have been completed, and the data analysis continues, as the information adds significantly to advancing knowledge of companion animal health.
• Our efforts have always been guided by a strict code of ethics that exceeds the highest standards of the Animal Welfare Act of the US and the US Department of Agriculture.

2. The newspaper article described normal veterinary health practises in unnecessary emotive terms. For example:

• A skin biopsy - which is a common diagnostic test in both human and veterinary medicine - was described in the article as "regularly given chest wounds."
• Giving an animal standard veterinary vaccines was described as being "injected with live virus vaccines."
• Putting cats on a standard veterinary low fat diet was described as being "starved."

3. unusually within the pet food industry, at Iams, we openly publish our findings so that other researchers can help improve the health and well-being of dogs and cats without repeated research projects.

• The Iams Nutrition Symposia regularly brings together experts from 80 universities and 136 veterinary hospitals, from over 40 countries, who then return home to apply the knowledge in their own practises.
• No attempt has ever been made to suppress the fact that this research has been carried out. It has been presented, published, and part of the public record fro the last 12 years.
• All of our feeding studies have had to meet very specific criteria:
  
  
  • The results must help veterinarians and pet owners to nutritionally manage important pet health conditions and the benefits to dogs and cats worldwide must be genuine.
  • The studies must be unique, relevant and truly pioneering - in other words, no existing research could answer the questions raised.
  • The care of animals is of paramount importance, and animal well-being is always our top priority.
  
  

At Iams we stand behind our research and our 55-year track record of enhancing the well-being of dogs and cats by providing premium quality nutrition. We are proud that our science has been available and used by others and that we have led breakthroughs in companion animal health.

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