AAFCO admits rendered pets in pet food

[CMacDonald]

I'm not sure if I can post a link to a blog or a site that might include breeder information? But if you google aafco admits rendered pets in pet food you'll find it.

I remember this coming up in the early 1990s; I think some lab found traces of phenobarbitol and even evidence of collar material in some of the cheaper kibbles (Purina, etc.) The claim then was that the bodies of dogs and cats killed by shelters were being rendered and included in kibble. Probably under the mysterious "meat meal" or "animal digest" ingredients.

Now the Association of American Feed Control Officials admits it: dead puppies and kittens, dogs and cats, are indeed being rendered and used for pet food. Protein is protein, right?

Yet one more reason, if you're feeding commercial kibble/canned food, to stay away from cheap or inferior kibbles. And READ and UNDERSTAND the ingredient list! Seems most forum regulars feed their dogs well; I think this is a good heads-up for many people though.

[California]

I've known about this. Interesting if they're admitting it. I'll look up the article thanks.

[dogandcatlover]

So where are they getting all of these dead puppies and kittens? Most shelters either cremate their dead or take them to the city dump.

[NikoJ]

If I were not already feeding raw, this would have me switching immediately.

[dragontear2s]

When I watched the video where he is being interviewed the president never says they are used just states that it isn't written anywhere that it is prohibited. He does say that when you see rendered meat you never know what that meat is, horse, cattle, pig, fluffy...
I would be interested in seeing the full interview not just that snippet.

[CMacDonald]

Originally Posted by dragontear2s

He does say that when you see rendered meat you never know what that meat is, horse, cattle, pig, fluffy...
I would be interested in seeing the full interview not just that snippet.

Good point.

But rendering is common, there are many counties that send everything from shelter kills to road kill to rendering companies who boil the remains down and sell them, often overseas. The rendered product is often used for fish food in commercial fisheries and other commercial/industrial uses.

Rendering is a pretty big business and absolutely that's what happens to a lot of shelter animals. I think most vets use a cremation service though.

[AngelBunny]

In 2009 about 4,500 dogs and 9,000 cats were euthanized at Animal Care & Control of NYC. That's just one shelter in one borough of the city.

With roughly 8 million cats and dogs put down in the US every year, disposing of their bodies is certainly an issue.

[CMacDonald]

I just speed-googled. The city and county of Los Angeles has a contract with a rendering company (West Coast Rendering) for road kill, restaurant grease, butcher scraps and euthanised shelter animals.

I don't know how many animals per day that county kills but it's surely really a lot. And that is just one county in one state...