To be fair I am posting Iams’ response to my email. I still have a lot to read but my initial response is this: Iams cares a lot about cats and dogs. But is it enough for me to continue using their products?
Iams’ Response:
“Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding our research and feeding studies. We are passionate about cats and dogs with a deep commitment to their health and welfare, so we understand how important this issue is to you.
For several years misleading and inaccurate information has been
circulating and I appreciate this opportunity to provide you with the facts.
To ensure that our products are safe and wholesome, we have the
responsibility to pet owners to feed our products to dogs and cats. Over 70% of the dogs and cats in our feeding studies live in consumers’ homes; however, some of our feeding studies require a controlled environment and are conducted at our own Pet Health and Nutrition Center or at an organization where pets are already residing-like animal shelters, or groups that train and provide assistance dogs.
The controlled studies are the veterinary equivalent of nutritional or medical studies acceptable on people. These studies are monitored by our own staff of veterinarians, behaviorists and independent experts. Our dogs and cats get the most advanced pet nutrition and health care as we develop formulas to help all cats and dogs live longer and healthier lives.
At our Pet Health and Nutrition Center, dogs are housed with a
companion (because dogs are pack animals). Each kennel has a doggie-door that takes them to an outside run, so they have plenty of room to run and play. Each dog is provided with his or her own toys (rotated on a regular basis) and their very own comfortable bed to sleep on. There is also a dog park adjacent to the kennels where the dogs play and interact each day in play groups.
Our cats are housed in compatible play groups. Each room is furnished with beds, toys (to stimulate play) and several perches, which allow the cats to observe things from a higher viewpoint. They also have a very large window, which has a platform for the cats to lie in the sun or just sit and watch the birds feeding at the outside bird feeders.
If you’re interested in reading more, please copy-and-paste the
following URLs to your web browser.
Our Research Policy:
http://www.iamstruth.com/iamstruth/en_US/jhtmls/article/IT_Article_Page.jhtm
l;jsessionid=O1CKZFH2GEOQ5QFIAJ1YYCQ?li=en_US&pti=RP&articleID=2
Videos of dogs and cats at our facility:
http://www.iamstruth.com/iamstruth/en_US/jhtmls/landing/IT_Landing_Page.jhtm
l?li=en_US&pti=CV
Facility reports:
http://www.iamstruth.com/iamstruth/en_US/jhtmls/article/IT_Article_Page.jhtm
l?li=en_US&pti=BA&articleID=20#a1
You can also read about our nutritional studies and our facilities from the viewpoint of an independent animal welfare organization by utilizing the following URL: www.aspca.org/iams.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message. If you need further information or have specific questions, please contact us at 800-525-4267. We’re very happy to speak with you about this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Tina
P&G Pet Health and Nutrition”