Email That I Just Recieved

[Gilypoo]

Subject: FW: URGENT Warning - Pet Owners

I work in Local Government and this is an email that is getting passed around through the Shires in WA by the Rangers

I just thought that I would share

Wildcare has just received this notice – am onsending to members for their info.

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do. Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by TARGET , Foreman's Garden Supply and other garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'.

It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Although the mulch has NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

[persephone]

This is an email originating in the USA. We do NOT have this mulch in Australia . Don't panic! :D

[whiskedaway]

Thanks for the warning. I was already told about this on Facebook, but never thought to post it on here.

Edit: Ah, Persephone, I didn't realise it wasn't sold here. That's good to know.

Edited June 29, 2010 by whiskedaway

[persephone]

Garden mulch - cocoa mulch

Cocoa Mulch is also known as 'Cocoa Bean Mulch' or 'Cocoa Shell Mulch' and is used as a mulch in home gardens in some countries. It is a byproduct of the manufacture of cocoa powder and other chocolate products. There have been several reports of pets being poisoned by cocoa mulch in other countries such as the United States and United Kingdom. As far as RSPCA Australia is aware cocoa mulch is generally not available in Australia.

from the RSPCA website.

This email, and variants have been floating around for a few years ....

[Skitch]

Yep.. this has been bought up before.. luckily we dont have it here ! :D

[GoldenGirl85]

I do have to say though that chocolate smelling mulch sounds a lot nicer than dynamic lifter! lol

[Diva]

Would you believe I heard the local radio station's vet broadcast a dire warning based on an email she had received, with much emotion. I nearly rang up and pointed out how long those emails had being doing the rounds and that the mulch is not believed to be sold here - but the info given out on that show is so often wrong decided not worth the effort.

[mirawee]

While it is an old email for a product not available in Australia it is a reminder to people to check every product they use that their animals can access.