No.1 August/September 2004.
News
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Letters have been written to the RCVS, outlining our concerns over the continued promotion and sale of processed pet food by the majority of veterinary surgeons. We have expressed our concern about the influence of pet food manufacturers within the veterinary colleges. We have pointed out the huge inadequacies of manufactured pet food, and the harm it does to our pet carnivores. We have told them of the huge health improvements that we have seen in our own pets, since changing them to a raw meaty bone diet, and explained that this is seen around the world by other dog, cat and ferret owners when they change their pets to a natural diet. We have asked that the RCVS adopts a fresh and open-minded attitude to this important issue and have asked for a high-level, impartial enquiry. The RCVS replied stating that the issue has nothing to do with the purpose of the College! This in spite of the statement on their web site “Setting and monitoring the standards for veterinary education is a key responsibility of the RCVS”. They have attempted to deflect us to another organisation - the Companion Animal Welfare Council - which appear to be just another sideshoot of the RCVS. The RCVS should know that this is just the very beginning! We have also written to the BSAVA and are currently awaiting their reply. If you would like to write to either of these bodies to express your concerns over the close connection between the veterinary profession and the pet food manufacturers, the continued endorsement/recommendation/selling of processed pet food by the majority of vets and the lack of proper nutritional training for veterinary students, the addresses are:
RCVS:
Mr John Parker M.A. Vet.M.B. F.R.C.V.S
President,
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Belgravia House
62 - 64 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2AF

BSAVA:
Mr Ian Mason BVetMed. PhD. CertSad. DipECVD. M.R.C.V.S
President,
British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Woodrow House
1 Telford Way
Waterwells Business Park
Quedgeley
Gloucester GL2 2AB
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Government
Letters have been sent to fifty MPs, again to express our concerns over the whole issue of processed petfood, the harm it can do to our pets, and the fact that the veterinary profession, in general, appear to be turning a blind eye. A list of MPs can be obtained at www.parliament.uk
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Veterinary Times Article
Please take a look at the Articles and click on Veterinary Associations - this is an interview with us about raw feeding, with comments from the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. The Veterinary Times is an “in house” newspaper for the veterinary profession.
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Discover Dogs - Kennel Club
Discover Dogs is held in November at Earls Court. We were thinking of going, to hand our leaflets etc. We contacted the Kennel Club and were told that we would not be allowed to hand out any leaflets and if we did so we would be ejected! They did not think that their sponsor - Pedigree Petfoods - would agree with what we were doing! So much for free speech. We could have paid for a stall (approximately £2000) where we could have displayed our leaflets! We could also have had our leaflets included in the show pack at £75 per thousand, or we could have sponsored the Official Carrier Bag, for just £4,500 - oh yes and supply the carrier bags too! So what exactly do Pedigree Petfoods pay for then that allows them to dictate who can walk around giving out leaflets?
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Raw Feeding Friendly Vets /Kennels & Catteries/Butchers
The first names are now up and now we really need you to contribute, so that we can get contacts across the country. All you need to do is send us the name of your vet, your butcher and any Kennels/Catteries in your area, with their telephone number. We will then contact them to see if they would like to be listed on the web site. Inclusion on the lists is free of charge.
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If you have any stories about raw feeding - especially success stories - please send them to us. Other raw feeders may well be helped by your experiences. Also, if you have managed to change your own vet’s opinion about raw feeding, please let us know - email: info@ukrmb.co.uk

If you want to become one of our supporters, please let us know. We will then be able to update you on a more regular basis via email and we hope that you will join in the lobbying - the more voices that are heard, the better! We are not asking for any fees - however if anyone would like to make a donation to our funds (maximum £5.00), to help pay for printing, postage, stationery etc, we would be most grateful. Please note you DO NOT need to be a supporter or make any donation to have your raw feeding questions answered.

You can purchase Tom Lonsdale’s book "Raw Meaty Bones" from us - price £16.00 plus p/p.

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