Conference misery::feline_v1

    I can understand why you have tears in your eyes.... I do too. 
    
    I hope this note helps save a life.....

    It's not clear to me that Hartz is a "reputable" company.  This
    is their second time around with a situation like this, although
    I have forgotten the details of the first situation (flea collars,
    perhaps?).  My impression is that they are out to make a buck, rather
    than to care for animals.  Note the instantaneous speed with which
    companies like Hill's added taurine to their products when there
    was information about problems due to a lack of it, and compare
    that with the denials and delays from Hartz, while more and more
    animals die or are harmed.  I don't buy any Hartz products any more.
    

    RE: .2
    
    Hartz Blockade is supposed to have little tags hung on it with a
    warning. Sounds like wither this is an old batch they can't get
    rid of or the store doesn't want to hurt sales and didn't put the
    tags on.
    
    Deb
    

    Ok, I'm ignorant!  What the heck is Hartz Blockade and what is it
    doing to our kitties?!  I haven't heard I thing until I read this
    notes file... Guess I'm to busy listening to Christmas carols or
    something.  Would appreciate more info!
    
    Suz 

    	How about mentioning the name of the store where the owner will
    not remove the kitty killing product. We don't need to buy anything
    from that store.

    When I was in my local food store on Saturday, I noticed about twenty
    cans of Blockade on the shelf.  Rather than get into any sort of
    argunemt with the manager, I took all the cans that were there and
    hid them behind the big bottles of soda pop across the isle.
    
    Marion

    
    I dare you!  Go for it!  I think I'm going to start checking my local
    stores when I'm in them, and if I see any I'll complain to the manager
    of the store.  The more consumers that complain, and give evidence or
    suggest references for them to explore, the more likely they are to
    think about it. In fact, I was just in my local feed store, the only
    place I can buy the cat food I use (OMH) and should have checked, but
    didn't.  I would be extremely surprised if they had it, but one never
    knows...  I think it's one thing if Hartz gets letters from consumers,
    as long as the product is in the stores there is always a possibility
    that some unsuspecting innocent will pick it up.  But, if they get
    complaints from stores who refuse to display the product, even the
    unsuspecting are protected.
    
    These are truly scary stories.  We are lucky to have a medium such as
    this to pass along this information, but think how many people could be
    innocently using this product as we speak, having problems and blaming
    themselves for improper use, not knowing it is the product's fault?  I
    have not heard anything about Hartz outside of this notes file...
    that's scary.  However, now I literally turn my back on their displays
    in stores. 
    
    I think that we should do something *active* such as write individual
    letters to Hartz (I intend to...) or start a petition to send to
    Hartz and certain consumer agencies... any other suggestions? Has
    this been mentioned in CANINE or CONSUMER?
     
    Like I said, we have the advantage of the E-net, what about the
    rest of the world?
                                             
    Amy.
                

While shopping last night in Marlboro (MA), I noticed that several stores I 
went in that carried anti-flea pesticides did not carry Blockade but did carry 
Hartz's other anti-flea sprays.

One supermarket, however, did carry Blockade for both cats and dogs.  They had 
the additional "warning" tag attached, so I decided to read it.

The tag basically says do not spray directly on the animal, do not use it more 
than once every seven days, and be careful using it.

No where did it mention that it may have caused any damage or pet deaths!

Great ... if one already had some small knowledge of the problem, then the tag 
may remind one that this is the product in question.  However, if someone had 
no knowledge of the hazards, they would buy it anyway since it doesn't seem out 
of the ordinary for this type of product to post a warning.

What a crock.

    Re: .11
    
    Matt,
    
    In 727.9 I ran a synopsis of the revised labelling EPA required
    Hartz to put on BLOCKADE.  The inadequacy of the warnings (in our
    eyes) is due too the fact thatthe EPA has NO data on death rates
    following applications of pesticides in domestic animals.  BLOCKADE
    got national attention on 60 Minutes and 20/20 so EPA had to do
    something but noone at EPA or Hartz could say if the incidence of
    fatal and near fatal reactions was unusually high.  It isn't too
    surprizing that the labelling isn't stronger.
    
    BTW, the label is supposed to warn against using in pregnant cats,
    old or debilitated cats and cats under one year of age.  Similar
    warnings for dogs.
    
    Frank

    If this stuff were killing people, Hartz would be staring at bankruptcy
    from lawsuits.  What we need are better laws....
    

    Re .14:
    
    In ancient Egypt, killing a cat was a capital offense.  And they
    say there's progress?
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    Bradlee's has the damn stuff on their shelves - I hid a dozen cans
    with tags behind liter bottles of tonic, also.  Hmm. funny place
    to have tonic and flea spray.
    
    BTW, folks working in MK - do any of you know what goes on in
    the two buildings on Continental Blvd. - one sign says Hartz
    Pet something - the other says something about Pet Products
    a Divison of Continental Can Company - I only pass these 2
    buildings every day - twice a day & can't remember the exact
    names on the signs!  (Old Age)
    
    On Christmas day, my daughter realized that she killed her
    8-week old kitten using that *&)^ stuff.  It took me 2 days
    to make her feel a little less guilty!
    
    E.T.

    Re: hiding the Blockade
    
    I'm wondering if this is helpful -- sooner or later they will find
    it and put it back in sight, and someone will buy it.  I don't
    know what else to suggest, however, except talking to the manager
    and writing a letter to the manager and store president.  I do know
    that when I've had a real "consumer problem" and finally been driven
    to the point of writing a letter to the president of something or
    other, I've invariably gotten instantaneous results.  Maybe a batch
    of _courteous_ letters "we feel that we can no longer shop at your
    store...."
    

    See notes 1047 and 2495.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.