Important Update: Our Decision Regarding Raw Milk Products
At NorthPoint Pets, the health and safety of your pets is at the heart of every decision we make. Today, we want to share with you an important change in our product offerings and explain the careful reasoning behind this decision.
Our Decision
We have made the decision to discontinue the sale of raw milk products at NorthPoint Pets. This wasn’t a choice we made lightly, but one that emerged from our ongoing commitment to pet safety and our deep understanding of current industry practices.
Why This Change?
The pet raw milk industry operates in a regulatory gray area that many pet parents might not be aware of. Unlike human-grade dairy products, which must meet strict federal and state safety standards, pet milk products exist in a space with minimal oversight and inconsistent testing requirements. This means that while many producers may follow good practices, there’s no standardized system to verify safety across the industry.
When we first began offering raw milk products, we believed in their potential benefits while trusting in available safety measures. However, recent developments, including the emergence of H5N1 avian influenza and its potential transmission through unpasteurized dairy products, have highlighted concerning gaps in the industry’s safety protocols.
The Testing Gap
One of the most significant issues we’ve identified is the lack of comprehensive testing standards. While human dairy undergoes rigorous testing for various pathogens, including emerging threats like H5N1, pet raw milk products often lack similar scrutiny. Current testing, when performed, typically focuses on common bacterial contaminants but may miss emerging viral threats that could affect our pets’ health.
Consider this: When a new pathogen emerges, human food supply chains quickly adapt their testing protocols to ensure consumer safety. However, in the pet raw milk industry, no such standardized response system exists. This means that even conscientious producers may lack the tools and protocols needed to screen for new threats effectively.
Why Now?
The recent spread of H5N1 avian influenza, particularly its ability to affect mammals, has brought these industry shortcomings into sharp focus. We’ve observed that:
- There’s no standardized testing protocol for H5N1 in pet raw milk products
- The current regulatory framework doesn’t require producers to adapt testing for emerging threats
- Scientific understanding of how H5N1 might spread through dairy products is still evolving
- The potential risks, especially to cats who are particularly susceptible to H5N1, are severe
Our Commitment to Your Pets’ Health
This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to your pets’ wellbeing. While we have always supported natural feeding options and continue to do so, we believe that when safety concerns arise, we must act decisively. Our role as your trusted pet health partner demands nothing less.
Moving Forward
We understand this change may affect your pet’s routine, and we’re here to help. Our knowledgeable team is prepared to discuss alternative products that can provide similar nutritional benefits while maintaining the highest safety standards. We’re also committed to staying informed about industry developments and will continue to evaluate our policies as safety standards evolve.
A Call for Industry Change
While we’ve made this decision for our store, we believe this situation highlights the need for broader industry reform. We support efforts to establish more rigorous testing standards and oversight in the pet raw milk industry. Until such changes occur, we’ll continue to make decisions that prioritize your pets’ safety above all else.
We appreciate your trust in NorthPoint Pets and your understanding as we make this important change. If you have any questions about this decision or would like to discuss alternative options for your pet, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
Your pet’s health and safety remain our highest priority, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue serving as your partner in pet wellness.
