Beatrice Humane Society left scrambling for 7 puppies after nationwide canine formula recall
BEATRICE, Neb. (KLKN) — The Beatrice Humane Society took in seven puppies from a rural shelter in Oklahoma over the weekend.
Shortly after their arrival, they found that one of the formulas they’d regularly use to keep the puppies fed had been recalled due to elevated traces of Vitamin D.
“We had to throw away our entire 18-pound bag of formula that these guys were planning on consuming,” said Carlee Fiddes, the Executive Director.
Although the Humane Society thought it was prepared, it had to scramble to keep the puppies fed.
The puppies require around-the-clock care, with feedings every few hours.
“We had to go right over to our Tractor Supply and Walmart and buy out what they had for puppy formula,” Fiddes said. “That’s a pretty big expense for us as an organization. When buying in bulk, we’re able to decrease those costs.”
The 18-pound bag of formula usually saves the shelter money and feeds the puppies for almost a week.
But now, due to the recall, they’re having to buy 10-ounce cans of formula, and that doesn’t cover nearly as many meals.
“When purchased at the Tractor Supply or Walmart or any of the grocery stores that carry it, it’s incredibly expensive,” Fiddes said. “About $30 for a canister that would last me less than a day for seven puppies. $25 to $30 per day for a feeding is excessive.”
The company, FosterCare, is remaking the formula and gave Beatrice Humane Society a full refund.
But the shelter still needs a little help from the community to keep the puppies’ bellies full and comfortable.
“We did our post today, just saying ‘hey, when you’re at the grocery store, and you see one of these things on sale, pick them up and toss them in the cart, bring them to us a few weeks later, it doesn’t matter to us.’ These are things we will always need,” Fiddes said. “When we have our community supporting us, making sure they know the little ways they can help, and keep us moving forward, it’s really important to us.”
