FEEDING OF PETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 121, 23 May 1944, Page 6

FEEDING OF PETS

S.P.C.A. TAKES MATTER UP (P.A.) Wellington, May 17.I 7 . The problem of feeding dogs and cats now that the meats normally bought for them have been included in the rationing scheme is causing owners considerable worry and the Society lor the Prevention ot Cruelty to Animals yesterday was consulted in Lie matter by officials of the Rationing Controller’s office, and all possibilities for the provision of alternative foods were considered. It was later stated by an official that the Rationing Controller will explore possible sources of supply, and an announcement will soon be made It is also probable that a leaflet may be printed advising owners of pets how t.o feed them. The official said that precedent in Great Britain, the United States and Australia had shown that to much insistence had been laid I on the need for meat in the pets’ diet : I In Britain no meat, other than a very. ! few offals, was available, but the ani- ! mals had survived healthily. : The suggestion has been made that ! horseflesh or whale meat may be I available in New Zealand, but the i difficulty of distribution would not be ■ easy to overcome, as separate shops would probably be necessary. There are, of course, certain lines of offal available at meat works, but these have hitherto been looked upon purely as refuse. Tnese might, to solve the problem, be mane available for sale by butchers, the usual channels of distribution being used. In the meantime, a veterinary surgeon suggests that, pets can be fed with lungs, tripe, or liver, there being a quantity of the latter which is not up to export grade which is available in butchers’ shops at low price. In addition, bones can be purchased, and either given fresh or boiled down and mixed with stale bread or dog biscuits if the latter are available. Fish refuse, also can be used.