Help Me Go To The AAFCO Pet Food Conference
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Have you ever been the victim of a misleading pet food ad or a deceptive marketing scheme? Perhaps there was a time when a very compelling ad convinced you to buy a pet food product, only to find out later that the marketing had misled you?
Did your veterinarian ever diagnose your pet with a pet foodborne related illness? Did you ever find something in your pet food that shouldn't have been there? Did you have a problem with pet food and didn't know who to turn to or what to do? Did you ever consider having your pet's food tested and you didn't know where to have it done?
Did you ever wish there was someone to help you, but you didn't know who to turn for answers?
That's my job.
I'm Mollie Morrissette, pet food consumer advocate and pet food safety advisor to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
I'm also the founder and author of Poisoned Pets, one of the most influential independent advocacy organizations dedicated solely to the safety of food for animals in the United States.
Even though I am considered one of the nation’s top pet food safety experts in the United States, I am a pet parent just like you. And, even though Poisoned Pets is one of the most comprehensive sources of the health risks associated with commercial pet food, it isn't enough.
It is only through my work as a pet food safety advisor and consumer representative to AAFCO where I do the most good.
The organization you never heard about, and why you need to know about it.
It is at AAFCO, the organization that develops the laws and enforcement policies for regulating the manufacture, labeling, and sale of pet food, where I influence the future of animal feed and pet food.
Remarkably, even though my work is critical of the government regulation of pet food, of the disparity between human and animal food regulations and the unfortunate use of enforcement discretion, the association allowed me to be a consumer advisor despite my views. I believe it is because they understand that we are all working to towards a common goal: The dedication to the health and safety of animals.
But, the progression towards positive change is a process, one which can seem to advance at a glacial speed. Because it takes a great deal of work – and time - to achieve. The reason is that AAFCO is a deliberative body, where every detail is painstakingly scrutinized until a consensus is achieved.
Why pet food laws don't change over night and why you probably wouldn't want them to.
Everyone who works with AAFCO is aware that every decision is of vital importance because the outcome can change the future of the regulation and manufacture of food for animals for decades to come.
The importance of the work at AAFCO cannot be overemphasized, because the future health and safety of the pet food you feed your cats and dogs and the meat, poultry, eggs and dairy you eat depend on the outcomes of the work at AAFCO.
And part of my job with AAFCO is attending twice-yearly conferences held at various locations across the country. The next is in Savannah Georgia on January 21-23, 2019.
But, the problem is – and this is the reason for my plea on GoFundMe – is that the cost of attending these conferences is expensive*.
Maybe you're wondering why I'm asking for your help.
Even though there's only a handful of pet food safety advocates in America, there are even fewer that don’t sell any products relating to the sale or promotion of pet food. The primary reason for being independent is that my work is not influenced by any association with a pet food company; thus there is no conflict of interest. Instead, my work is entirely supported by individuals – by pet parents just like you.
It is only through your generosity, your support, that my work can continue. If you believe in supporting the work to change the future of commercial food for animals, if you're ready to help make a difference, then please give to Poisoned Pets today.
“A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, can even enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.”
And that change begins with you.
And me!
* AAFCO conference expenses: Registration $550 + AAFCO Official Publication $120 + Airfare $612 + Hotel $421 = $1732.
P.S. Thanks in advance to everyone who supports my work! And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a note at Poisoned Pets or leave a comment below - I'd love to hear from you! And if you send me a picture of your fur baby(s), I'd love to feature them in a follow-up post on my website.
Did your veterinarian ever diagnose your pet with a pet foodborne related illness? Did you ever find something in your pet food that shouldn't have been there? Did you have a problem with pet food and didn't know who to turn to or what to do? Did you ever consider having your pet's food tested and you didn't know where to have it done?
Did you ever wish there was someone to help you, but you didn't know who to turn for answers?
That's my job.
I'm Mollie Morrissette, pet food consumer advocate and pet food safety advisor to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
I'm also the founder and author of Poisoned Pets, one of the most influential independent advocacy organizations dedicated solely to the safety of food for animals in the United States.
Even though I am considered one of the nation’s top pet food safety experts in the United States, I am a pet parent just like you. And, even though Poisoned Pets is one of the most comprehensive sources of the health risks associated with commercial pet food, it isn't enough.
It is only through my work as a pet food safety advisor and consumer representative to AAFCO where I do the most good.
The organization you never heard about, and why you need to know about it.
It is at AAFCO, the organization that develops the laws and enforcement policies for regulating the manufacture, labeling, and sale of pet food, where I influence the future of animal feed and pet food.
Remarkably, even though my work is critical of the government regulation of pet food, of the disparity between human and animal food regulations and the unfortunate use of enforcement discretion, the association allowed me to be a consumer advisor despite my views. I believe it is because they understand that we are all working to towards a common goal: The dedication to the health and safety of animals.
But, the progression towards positive change is a process, one which can seem to advance at a glacial speed. Because it takes a great deal of work – and time - to achieve. The reason is that AAFCO is a deliberative body, where every detail is painstakingly scrutinized until a consensus is achieved.
Why pet food laws don't change over night and why you probably wouldn't want them to.
Everyone who works with AAFCO is aware that every decision is of vital importance because the outcome can change the future of the regulation and manufacture of food for animals for decades to come.
The importance of the work at AAFCO cannot be overemphasized, because the future health and safety of the pet food you feed your cats and dogs and the meat, poultry, eggs and dairy you eat depend on the outcomes of the work at AAFCO.
And part of my job with AAFCO is attending twice-yearly conferences held at various locations across the country. The next is in Savannah Georgia on January 21-23, 2019.
But, the problem is – and this is the reason for my plea on GoFundMe – is that the cost of attending these conferences is expensive*.
Maybe you're wondering why I'm asking for your help.
Even though there's only a handful of pet food safety advocates in America, there are even fewer that don’t sell any products relating to the sale or promotion of pet food. The primary reason for being independent is that my work is not influenced by any association with a pet food company; thus there is no conflict of interest. Instead, my work is entirely supported by individuals – by pet parents just like you.
It is only through your generosity, your support, that my work can continue. If you believe in supporting the work to change the future of commercial food for animals, if you're ready to help make a difference, then please give to Poisoned Pets today.
“A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, can even enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.”
And that change begins with you.
And me!
* AAFCO conference expenses: Registration $550 + AAFCO Official Publication $120 + Airfare $612 + Hotel $421 = $1732.
P.S. Thanks in advance to everyone who supports my work! And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a note at Poisoned Pets or leave a comment below - I'd love to hear from you! And if you send me a picture of your fur baby(s), I'd love to feature them in a follow-up post on my website.
Organizer
Mollie Morrissette
Organizer
Willits, CA