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Petco today announced it will stop carrying China-made dog and cat treats at its more than 1,300 store locations nationwide, including Unleashed by Petco stores and online at Petco.com, by the end of 2014. The move makes Petco the first national pet specialty retailer to take this step in support of the health and well-being of pets.
“We know some pet parents are wary of dog and cat treats made in China, especially Chicken Jerky products, and we’ve heard their concerns,” said Jim Myers, Petco CEO. “As a leader in the industry and the trusted partner for our pet parents, we’re eager to make this transition and to expand our assortment of safe and healthy treats, the majority of which are made right here in the U.S. Very simply, we feel this decision is in the best interest of the pets we all love and, ultimately, for our business.”
Since 2007, and as recently as just last week, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has periodically cautioned consumers about a potential link between reported illnesses in dogs and the consumption of jerky products made in China. However, the FDA has been unable to identify a direct link between the reported illnesses and the China-made treats, and has not recommended a recall of jerky products.
“We’ve been following the FDA warnings and related customer concerns closely, and we’ve been actively reducing our China-made assortment and expanding our American-made offerings for several years now,” said Myers. “We know the FDA hasn’t yet identified a direct cause for the reported illnesses, but we decided the uncertainty of the situation outweighs the lack of actual proof. It has taken some time and careful thought to get to this point, but we’re proud to make the change and we believe our customers will be pleased with it as well.”
The final stage of the transition will begin in September and is expected to be complete by the end of 2014, marking the end of a multi-year process in which Petco has been working with vendors and suppliers to offer more safe and healthy alternatives to treats made in China.
Pet parents looking for alternatives to China-made dog or cat treats will find a broad selection of USA-made products at Petco from brands like American Jerky, Blue Buffalo, Blue Ridge Naturals, Canidae, Colorado Naturals, Dogswell, Isle of Dog, Merrick, Natural Balance, Nature’s Variety, Prairie Dog, Zuke’s and more. Petco also carries a number of safe and long lasting treats and chews from other regions of the world, including New Zealand, Australia and South America.
For more information about Petco or to find a location near you, visit petco.com.
97pstore
Jun 2, 2014 at 7:29 am
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keenan
Jun 1, 2014 at 2:34 pm
This is a step in the right direction. I still won’t buy treats for my dogs even if they’re made in the US. Even if they’re made in the US most of the ingredients come from china.
I prefer to make their treats at home. There are tons of recipes that take 10 minutes to prepare and then bake and you have a healthy product with no worries.
In addition making jerky is so easy. Walmart sells the dehydrators, all you have to do is cut the meat and let the dehydrator do the rest.
Frank
May 22, 2014 at 2:09 am
This is a red flag reminding us that we need to be very careful about our food ingredients and their sources. Remember the melamine pet food recall a few years ago that affected so many pet foods?? Also we need to be cautious about human foods containing soy & fillers from China … there seems to be a trend. We need to get more proactive before the recalls to avoid these tragedies or future dilemmas.
Karen
May 22, 2014 at 7:44 am
I am frustrated with SOY now being in virtually every packaged or canned food. It’s the new “high fructose corn syrup” that will be added to everything and years from now the public will figure out that it is not healthy for them to consume. I try to eat unprocessed, whole food as much as I can, but occasionally you want/need to buy something in a package.
K Williams
May 21, 2014 at 9:03 pm
If Petco were the “good guy”, then they should stop making it a MISSION to put smaller pet retailers out of business. Smaller pet retailers that already have ingredient restrictions store-wide, that have lead-testers for their toys, that implement standards before they’re even necessary…
Unleashed sure does look an awful lot like… Pet Food Express? Ever heard of it? Only if you’re in the Bay Area. Petco has made it a mission to keep Pet Food Express from growing.
DON’T BUY FROM THE CORPORATIONS. They don’t give a crap!
Dee Dee
May 21, 2014 at 9:00 pm
This is awesome news! I was just complaining at my local large pet store (Pet Supermarket) saying these large stores need to stop selling these China dog killing products.
tammy spittal
May 21, 2014 at 7:29 pm
I just wanted to thank Petco for no longer carring dog and cat treats made in China! On November 22nd I lost one of my four dogs to Chewmasters Chicken Fillet dog treats that I bought at Costco. Gizzy was only 7 years old and was a healthy dog! She was a sweetheart and such a good girl. All four dogs got sick Gizzy and her sister Precious, our 3 year old Golden Retreiver, Tyson and Bailey also a Golden Retreiver who just turned one. Both the Goldens had blood and protein in their urine and other high levels showing kidney and liver problems. Precious liver levels were very high. Gizzy lost 8 pounds and her liver and kidney levels were off the chart. Gizzy was my smallest dog, my little shadow, a top dog in our house. She took care of all the dogs. The dogs were very depressed for months and the other 3 dogs are still recovering from these “treats”.
Chewmasters made it worse, after dogs started dying from treats made in China, Chewmasters REMOVED made in China from their labels, so Pet Owners don’t realize their products are all made in China!
Kristy
May 21, 2014 at 3:21 pm
is there a list of food and treats at are going to be discontinue so people can change the food and treats
Just me
May 21, 2014 at 1:49 pm
So many negative comments. There is still no clear understanding as to what about the treats from China were making pets sick. This is the FIRST large retailer to make such a change. So comments like “it’s too late” really don’t apply when Petco is the first to stand their ground and start removing China from their stores. Way to go Petco!!!How about we celebrate this change and maybe others will follow!
Shelley Smith
May 21, 2014 at 1:34 pm
This is the BEST MOVE EVER by Petco. Now you don’t have to try and decipher where a product is from and I’ve noticed on many bags of jerky treats have become almost impossible to decipher exactly their country of origin. Now the next move is to ban all products that have any ingredients outsourced to China!!! Proud of you Petco, WAY TO GO!!!
Dog Cruces
May 21, 2014 at 11:36 am
WAY TO GO PETCO!
www.DogCruces.com
May 21, 2014 at 11:35 am
Excellent News! We shared it with our fans, have always liked Petco over PetsMart! Petco listens to their customers!
www.DogCruces.com
May 21, 2014 at 11:33 am
Excellent News! We shared it on our site and Facebook page!
Bonnie
May 21, 2014 at 7:31 am
You took too long Petco…most brands you sell source from China, so Bark and Petvalue have stepped up to fill the demand for products that do not do that. ALL brands need to have clear labeling that states where they manufacture, and where they source their ingredients. If you really want to win back the specialty market, you will lean on your suppliers Sam Walton style, to get that information on their labels where the consumer can easily evaluate the source of ingredients.
mel
May 21, 2014 at 1:40 am
We are in debt with China. Remember that.
Bonnie
May 21, 2014 at 7:32 am
and your point is? You think they will give up their $$ on our debt over pet food? Not.
tammy spittal
May 21, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Being in debt to China doesn’t give them the right to kill our pets. I am guessing you are not a pet owner cause it seems you are also putting money before an animals life!! Thousands of dogs have died from treats made in China!
Kyle
May 25, 2014 at 3:36 pm
How does that make a damned bit of difference to stop feeding tainted food to our pets?
Carrie
May 21, 2014 at 1:16 am
For the UK and europe try no-bones.co.uk home made no additives or preservatives snd so damn cute!!
Geraldine
May 24, 2014 at 9:23 am
Hi Carrie thanks for your comment and link
Nathan
May 21, 2014 at 12:46 am
I do not buy anything from china for my dogs. Do not trust the Chineese regulations.
Marge
May 21, 2014 at 10:41 am
What regulations?
Kristen
May 21, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Exactly.
Wingbat
May 20, 2014 at 11:11 pm
Dogswell is not American. That is one made in china treat that also has recalls and a number of pet related deaths.
Just me
May 21, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Dogswell has a couple lines. Some are 100% American made and sourced.
Vicki
May 20, 2014 at 10:16 pm
This is one of the reasons why I started making all my own dog treats which after 8 years has grown into a business. I take pride in telling people my treats are all natural with no added preservatives or artificial anything. I use all human food grade ingredients.
kmayo
May 20, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Hi Vicki
Can you tell us the name of your business,so we can see what you have to offer.Thx!!!
Deanna
May 21, 2014 at 12:31 am
I make organic gourmet dog treats. Made with coconut and chick pea flour. They’re grain, wheat, corn, dairy and whey-free, made in the USA, fresh to order with the highest quality ingredients.
preciouspetshomecae.biz
Deanna
May 21, 2014 at 12:33 am
Oops sorry it’s preciouspetshomecare.biz 🙂
Paula
May 20, 2014 at 10:14 pm
What about toys? We don’t buy chew toys from China because we worry about toxins. Thanks!
Paula
May 20, 2014 at 10:12 pm
What about toys? We don’t buy chew toys made in China because we worry about paints and other toxins. Thanks!
Marsha Avery
May 20, 2014 at 9:04 pm
What this press release neglected to say is: It was also a corporate decision to cease selling many dog foods, wiith one being Beneful by Nestle’/Purina. MAJOR KUDOS to Petco!
Natasha
May 21, 2014 at 11:24 am
Beneful is American made not china made.
Spanky M
Aug 7, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Can you link to any source of this information about Petco not carrying Beneful? I can’t find anything about it and they still sell it online and at stores in California.
George
May 20, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Quality American made by a loving pet owner
George
May 20, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Pawstriespetbakery.com
sheila
May 21, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Beneful is not a good quality food. Check out this site and see how your dog food rates. It is an INDEPENDENT site, run by a boxer rescue group. dogfoodanalysis.com.
Cindy Romano
May 20, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Why wait until the end of the year? Sales should go up right away if you carry quality products. The USA needs to become self-sufficient. We don’t need China!
Just me
May 21, 2014 at 1:41 pm
It takes time to relay waves of changes to over 1300 stores. Most stores are already going through a refresh of dog foods right now.
Len Gaskill
May 20, 2014 at 5:07 pm
If we all stop buying China treats then they would have stopped sooner
Lori
May 20, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Too little too late for many pets. This took too long!