Responding to pressure from animal welfare groups, The Iams Co. (Dayton, Ohio) said in October it will no longer conduct dog and cat feeding studies in external contract facilities and universities. Instead, it will conduct feeding studies in the Iams Pet Health and Nutrition Center, pet owners’ homes or organizations where dogs and cats already live, such as animal shelters and groups that train assistance dogs.

At press time, the transition was scheduled to begin before the end of the year and end by October 2006.

“These moves are part of a steady stream of continuous improvement that has been a hallmark of The Iams Co. for many years,” said Jeffrey P. Ansell, president of the company. “In addition to introducing innovative products that deliver true health benefits to help dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives, we are constantly working to improve the lives of dogs and cats in our nutritional feeding studies.”

In spite of the announcement, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Norfolk, Va.), which has been critical of Iams’ testing procedures, said it has no intention of calling off its boycott of Iams pet foods.

Less than a week after the announcement, PETA attended the company’s annual meeting as a shareholder to request that Iams use only humane, in-home tests with dogs and cats that have been volunteered by their guardians, place all animals used for testing in caring homes, and include an assessment of its success in achieving these objectives in its annual report.

Iams continues to work with its International Animal Care Advisory Board and organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (New York) and The Humane Society of the United States (Washington) to develop practices that ensure life-enhancing nutritional benefits as well as superior care for the dogs and cats in its feeding studies.

“Before you can lead, you must listen, and we’re listening and consulting with the best in the business to ensure we’re constantly strengthening the high standards we set for ourselves,” said Dr. Diane Hirakawa, senior vice president of research and development for Iams. “We are firmly committed to providing the utmost care to all dogs and cats who participate in our nutritional feeding studies.”

Iams also appointed Dr. Len Sauers, a leader in the development and use of alternatives to animal testing at Procter & Gamble, Iams’ parent company, to work with Iams researchers to accelerate development of alternatives to dog and cat feeding studies. Iams already uses 17 alternative methods, including a non-animal option for gastrointestinal studies and a non-animal method for measuring tartar buildup.

For more information on Iams animal welfare policies and practices, call the Iams Consumer Care Center at 800-863-4267, or visit www.iamstruth.com. [December 2004 PET AGE]