We want to talk about H5N1 Avian Influenza in Alberta. According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the risk to the public from the circulating strains of avian influenza (H5N1) in North America remains low.
We continue to have full confidence in the chicken and turkey products we source from Sunrise Farms. These products are certified under the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and are federally regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and BRC. Producers and veterinarians are trained to recognize the clinical signs of avian flu, allowing for early detection. This proactive approach helps ensure a quick response, reducing the spread of the virus and limiting the potential economic impact on the industry.
By the time the birds are processed and distributed from federally inspected plants, they are delivered to our raw dog food processing center. There, the products are ground and flash-frozen, minimizing the risk of bacterial or viral growth. Once the food is ready for sale—typically within one week—any reports of illness from the meats that go directly to consumers would have been received, allowing us to remove affected products from the shelves if necessary.
In the meantime, we request that our raw food not be fed to cats. We will be halting production of our cat blend until further notice. We recommend that cats be fed canned or kibble products that are fully cooked to mitigate any risk of infection. Cats are more susceptible to avian flu so we want to use the most precaution.
In addition to addressing the influenza concerns, we have implemented additional sanitation measures and are considering introducing UV light therapy in our production process to further reduce potential risks.
To ensure the safety of the products, we encourage customers to store the bags out of direct sunlight, keep them frozen at a minimum temperature of -20°C, and only thaw blocks in the fridge, one day at a time.
We greatly value your ongoing support and loyalty. If you have any feedback, suggestions, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause and remain committed to working together with you to ensure the well-being of our pets and the continued success of our business partnerships.