Interview with PetAg C.O.O.
Interview with Petsense
Petsense Update
In September of 2009, shelters and foster homes began sharing stories with each other, and reportedly with PetAg, the makers of a mothers’ milk replacement product for newborn kittens. Their concern was that some were becoming aware of a rancid odor and different color when using this product to support orphaned kittens. Many of them said the kittens were dying and felt this had been to blame. When PetAg C.O.O. Darlene Frutakis was interviewed on “Where the Fur Flies,” she stated that she did not believe this would have been responsible, but that she did know of ‘a few’ containers that had reportedly been bad, and explained that it was due to over-heated conditions during transport. Ms. Frutakis stated that diarrhea would not kill kittens. She also stated that their transport protocols have been upgraded as of October 2009, and that ‘heat-sensitive’ labels are in place with all product shipped since October.
First interview with PetAg C.O.O. was posted 12-17-2009. That interview is on this page.
Ms. Frutakis also agreed to talk to her support staff about putting a warning on the front page of the website. This interview was done on December 16, 2009.
While several of the largest pet-store chains were notified of this issue, only one company has reported taking action. Petsense Vice President of Marketing, Bill Lebers, was interviewed on “Where the Fur Flies,” and promised to take action. Subsequently, his store managers did find rancid containers of the KMR product, had them removed from all 30 stores nationwide, and put up warnings in the stores so that customers who might still have bad product would be aware of the potential harm. When PetAg was contacted by Mr. Lebers with the results of his findings, PetAg agreed to exchange the lot numbersuspected.
Kitty City shelter in La Luz. Petsense in Hobbs & Alamogordo, adopts out their rescued cats.
While shelter personnel still think there are other lot numbers affected, verification of this belief has not been received by “Where the Fur Flies.” While many suspect that kittens died of this, most did not suspect this to be a cause except ‘in retrospect,’ when these suspicions were shared by shelter workers and supporters online.
“Where the Fur Flies” traveled to Petsense in Hobbs, New Mexico, to interview store personnel about this and other issues. Hobbs store manager David Goff and Kathleen Dice, assistant store manager also explained what Petsense is doing to help rescued animals. According to store manager David Goff, Petsense has adopted out more than 5,200 rescued pets from their stores across the United States. While taking this courageous stance against puppy mills, and refusing to sell live animals, it is perhaps gratifying to know that this company is doing so well across the country, and opening several new stores per year. The newest Petsense stores are located in Dayton, TN, Lenoir, NC, Ada, OK, and Sanford, NC. Another store is expected to open soon in Elizabeth City, NC.
David Goff, Petsense Hobbs store manager, with "Allegra" adoptable kitten from Kitty City.
So much response has been received about this issue that we have provided this update for shelter workers, foster homes and the general public. Those with product still in use are advised to smell it before giving it to kittens. The PetAg telephone numbers to use if you are in doubt or need more information about K.M.R. are:
Customer Service: 1-800-323-6878
Technical Service: 1-800-323-0877
To contact Petsense:
Telephone Main Corporate Office:
1-480-663-9300