DeAnna Haase
Posted : 8/27/2006 1:33:33 AM
The rabbit is pretty new..I'm not sure how new. I lose track of time easily..lol.
The seminar was nice..talked much about some of the issues customers have concerns about. Bacteria, feeding raw bones etc. Also talked about transitioning dogs onto raw and about feeding immune compromised dogs or cats raw. Personally I was hoping for some more in depth stuff..I wanted to learn something new. What I learned is how new feeding raw is in so much of the country. It was noted that here in Portland, OR..raw feeding has been around longer. One of the speakers told us that she found an ad in a Dog Fancy magazine from 1947 where you could buy a box of raw meat portions for dogs. There were instructions on the top of the box telling the consumer to "lightly cook it" prior to feeding.
I learned that at the Raw Advantage plant there are literally three people who have contact with the food. That surprised me.
We also talked about the lack of studies done in this industry..one of the manufactuers on the panel has done one..or rather is in the middle of one. She makes Wild Kitty brand raw food. She is having a study done at a University (forgot which one)...it's very expensive to do, especially for a small company.
Although I was wishing for more detailed information..new stuff..two things occured to me during the seminar.
I was more than a little surprised at how many retailers were asking the most basic of questions..they didn't seem to have much knowlege on the topic. I have only worked at the shop I work at now...so my experience is founded in a shop where we are constantly seeking to learn more. We spend more time talking with our customers and trying to educate. I couldn't believe how many times the question was asked "how do I convince a customer to try raw in 10 seconds?" 10 seconds?!? Our shop is just not like that..at all. We spend much time asking questions and answering them...It's not unusual that I offer to go home and research something for someone. If I don't know the answer..I'll do my best to get one for them. I'm not afraid to say "I don't know". Generally if I have to say "I don't know" to a customer...even if they don't take me up on the offer to find out for them ..I have to check it out. It will bug me until I do. I have been called a nutrition nerd..maybe it is true =) It seemed to me that some of these shops that are selling the better quality foods have only the knowlege they have been given by the rep...and I have talked to some clueless reps! Now I know why they look at me oddly when they stop into the shop and I have tons of questions.I think it's great that all these retailers were there learning and I hope it sparked an interest in them to learn even more.
The second thing that occured to me is that all these raw manufacturers sat together on a panel and answered questions and educated people about raw feeding. You would not see Iams, Purina and all those companies doing the same...there is just no way. The discussions were not centered on whose product was better, or sales..no competition. Just education. It's a different kind of industry, they even discussed rotating amongst other raw foods and how they were willing to share freezer programs. Thats two companies willing to make you a really good deal on a freezer and their products which they know will be sharing space and competing with each other! I was impressed. The conversation always came back to whats best for the dog or cat.
My 17 year old daughter has started working at the shop a day or two a week and this seminar was great for her..she gained alot from it. I'm glad I went.