Holistic veterinarian Dr. Jean Hofve and author of the hugely popular and influential website Little Big Cat, has been an animal advocate and fierce critic of the pet food industry for nearly two decades. One of her most important tasks is to represent consumers at the meetings of AAFCO, which sets the standards by which pet food is made.

Recent events in the pet food industry prompted the urgent need, and the necessity, of an advocate for pet parents and their pets. It is vital at this critical time in the history of pet food to have strong representation to counter the imminent threats that face petsumers.

Historically, consumer and non-governmental organizations have no formal role in the development of pet food policies. Dialogue between the pet food industry and a group representing consumers’ interests and concerned pet food companies is vital to improving pet food policies and to establish measures to protect pets from unsafe, low quality, adulterated, misbranded, or contaminated foods. Advocates like Dr. Jean Hofve and Susan Thixton of Truth About Pet Food will provide greater coordination among interested groups and give petsumers a voice.

“Big Pet Food and their Washington lobbyists at the Pet Food Institute (PFI) are on the other side,” argues Dr. Jean  “PFI consistently argues against any changes or improvements in pet food labels or nutritional requirements, because such changes might cause their big-money clients to be slightly inconvenienced. For instance, PFI’s opposition to requiring a calorie statement on pet food labels has delayed any such regulation for more than five years already–even though the proposal is supported by veterinarians, nutritionists, and consumers!”

At the AAFCO meeting in January, 2012, Dr. Jean secured appointments to the only two AAFCO committees that matter to pet food: the Ingredients Definition Committee, and the Pet Food Committee. But she can only make a difference if she is sitting at that table at the August meeting in Indianapolis.

Susan Thixton of Truth About Pet Food reminds us that “By the way, it was Dr. Hofve’s AAFCO experience that got myself and her a seat at the table of the Pet Food Committee and the Ingredient Definitions Committee at the January 2012 AAFCO meeting.” and she urges  “We really do need her there at this meeting too.  I hope you can help.”

In past years, Dr. Jean has attended AAFCO meetings at her own expense. But this year, she needs your help! She is on disability with a limited income, and travel costs are simply out of reach. Registration alone has risen to more than $400.

Together we can fight Big Pet Food. But we can’t do it alone and right now, we have an opportunity to show our support for the important work Dr. Jean Hofve is willing to do on behalf of animals and pet parents by helping to chip-in to send her to the upcoming AAFCO meeting.

“If a lot of folks give just a little,” Dr. Jean explains, “we can make this happen, and YOU will have a seat at the table and a voice against the anti-consumer lobbyists!”

Click here to help support Dr. Hofve by sending her to the upcoming AAFCO meeting by chipping in at Chip-In! and visit Dr. Jean’s website and get to know the wonderful work she does at Little Big Cat, one of my favorite websites.

If you cannot afford to Chip-In, please share this plea so that we can raise the funds needed to get her to the meeting.

Thanks!

UPDATE: I have no association with Susan Thixton of Truth About Pet Food, either personally of professionally, or the Association for Truth in Pet Food.