UKRMB No.2 NEWSLETTER January 2005    

Welcome to our second newsletter. Let us hope that this new year continues to be productive on the campaigning front! We know that some of you have joined in the lobbying of the British Parliament - please keep up the pressure on your own MP and if you’re not in the UK, write to your own political representatives - remember this is a world-wide campaign!

UK Parliament
We are now heavily involved in our mission to draw attention to the harm that feeding processed pet food causes our pet dogs and cats, and the continuing refusal by the veterinary authorities to acknowledge this. Many of you will already know that an Early Day Motion was tabled in the House of Commons in December 2004. Just in case you haven’t seen it, here it is:  

Number 335 PROCESSED PET FOODS AND VETS 7.12.04 Tabled by David Taylor MP Labour North West Leicestershire Seconded by Bob Russell MP Liberal Democrat Colchester  
"This House deeply regrets the professional endorsement of processed food for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets by some members of the veterinary profession; is concerned at the level of incidence of malodorous gum disease and associated diseases of the kidneys, liver and other organs amongst the domestic pet population; recognises that their health and welfare is best served by foods, such as raw meaty bones, which reflect the full range of nutritional need; applauds and recommends the work of veterinary surgeon Tom Lonsdale and others in this field; also recognises that vets in the UK are trusted and independent advisors on the health of our pets and, as such, is concerned by the nature of the relationship between some vets and producers of foods which cause illnesses in pets; and calls upon the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to make a definitive statement on the active endorsement and promotion of processed pet foods by vets."  

So, what is an Early Day Motion? Basically, it’s a bit like a petition for MPs, so that they can get publicity for a topic they consider important. The more MPs who sign the EDM, the more chance the subject matter has of being progressed, possibly resulting in a debate in the House of Commons, and better still, changes in the law which governs the topic of the EDM. At the time of writing, thirty-five MPs had signed the EDM, which is an excellent start.

We have written to every MP in the Commons, urging them to support our pets and sign the EDM. We are also in regular contact with certain MPs who are very supportive, and the whole issue is ongoing. You can follow the progress of the EDM, which remains in place for the next session of parliament, by looking at http://edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=335   This is updated every Thursday evening, so you can see who is signing the EDM.

It is so important that people don’t get complacent - this is just the beginning of a very long fight, so please support us, and your pets, by continuing to lobby your MPs - try to engage them in dialogue, to keep the pressure on. Ask for an appointment to go and discuss your concerns over the way processed pet food is promoted and endorsed by the veterinary profession. Take a copy of Tom Lonsdale’s book with you, so that the MP can read it for themselves! One point that needs to be emphasised when talking about feeding raw meat on the bone to our pets is the medicinal effect it has - this is something that frequently gets overlooked, but it is such an important part of the whole issue. Later in this newsletter is the story of Benjie, who literally had his life saved by his owner discovering raw feeding. This is just one of several stories which have been sent to us, and it is so heart-warming and serves to strengthen our resolve to be listened to!  
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Veterinary Authorities
The various veterinary authorities i.e. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, (RCVS) British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and British Veterinary Association (BVA) continue to try and ignore us - we are still awaiting replies to our questions which we sent to the BSAVA and BVA. Their lack of concern regarding answering our letters speaks volumes and ultimately will be their downfall. Individual members of the RCVS Council have been written to - the majority have not even had the courtesy to reply. Staggering really, when you consider that we are their very customers! However, we have most certainly not finished with them - not by a long way!    
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Publicity
Following our front page story in the Veterinary Times, the story was then featured on the front page of Pet Products Marketing, the trade magazine that goes to the majority of the pet shops and pet stores in the UK. We have also been mentioned in the Food Trader magazine, the butchers trade journal. Veterinary Times also gave considerable coverage to the EDM. There have been various articles in pet journals over the past few months, with veterinary experts expressing concern about obese pets, and how important it is for these pets to be put onto special diets and special foods! Similarly, pet owners were being urged to take their pets for regular dental check-ups and teeth cleaning. Needless to say, not one mention of the advantage of feeding pets raw meat on the bone, which would tackle both of these conditions at once! Two national newspapers, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Express, both featured these stories, but when approached by us, and other supporters, decided that they did not want to feature the other side of the argument! One magazine, Pets4Life, also featured a double page article about how important it was for owners to take their dogs and cats for regularly dental cleaning. This magazine is produced for Companion Care Veterinary Services, which has over thirty outlets around the country. Several of our supporters wrote letters about this article, and as a result, having spoken to the MD of the company, we are hopeful of being allowed to redress the balance in a forthcoming issue. We have contacted various TV Programmes. One in particular has expressed some interest in looking at the pet food industry, for their next series. It certainly won’t do any harm if they get some more e-mails asking them to do a feature! The programme is called “Should I Worry About” and the website is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/shouldiworryabout/
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Benjie’s Story - by Maureen
“Benjie is a Cairn Terrier and was adopted from Cairn Rescue in September 2002. They thought he was about 5yrs old. He was quite a manic dog, and in September 2003, when catching him to lift into the car, he yelped in pain. I took him to the emergency vet, and although subsequent XRays did not show any recent injury, they did show he had arthritis in his spine. At the same time the vet said that she thought he was rather older than we had first thought.”   “Following on from that incident, he was noticeably quieter and seemed to favour one of his back legs.”   “Over the next year, I tried various treatments to help him improve - physio, swimming and drug therapy from the vet. None of these treatments provided any permanent relief from his symptoms. Benjie became slower and slower, resting whilst walking around the park, and he seemed very depressed. I had him X-rayed again, and when I visited the vet for the results I really thought the worst, and that it was time to end Benjie’s suffering. This was discussed with the vet, and he said that rather than give up just yet, suggested trying homeopathy. I agreed. As I was leaving the surgery I noticed one of the UKRMB cards, advocating feeding as nature intended, and asked the vet if he thought it would help. He said to give it a try..............”   “Going back to the vet a week later, he could not get over Benjie’s improvement. He assumed we had started with the homeopathic treatment. I explained that I had never made the appointment - I never needed to as from day one of changing his diet, he has improved. He was walking without hardly any sign of a limp. This improvement has continued - Benjie is now a happy, energetic dog and back to his old inquisitive ways and I am so thrilled that all that was needed was to feed him properly! If only I had known about this two years ago!”

******** What a great story - and it has been verified by Benjies vet! *********
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Why don’t you suggest to your own vet that he or she joins the yahoo raw vet group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawVet/ If they are “anti” they may learn something, if they are undecided it may help push them in the right direction, and if they are “pro” they may enjoy exchanges with other enlightened vets.  
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Finally, here is a plea! This campaign is costing money. Postage, stationery and telephone costs alone are already up in the hundreds of pounds. It would be tragic if we had to stop because of lack of funds. If you can spare a couple of pounds to help our campaign, we would be so grateful.
Donations can be sent to PO Box 3077, Lancing, BN15 5WZ England.

You can also help our funds by purchasing a copy of Tom Lonsdale’s book Raw Meaty Bones from us, price £16.00 plus £2.50 p/p (for UK). Just send your cheque to the above PO Box, made payable to UKRMB, with details of delivery address required.    

Best wishes from all at   UKRMB

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