Call to prosecute pet food companies, vet schools and RCVS

The Pet Food Con

Is the UK government regulator of all things to do with vets, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)**, protecting and thus facilitating widespread animal cruelty and consumer fraud? At least 260 registered vets appear to agree with me that it is.

Please allow me to explain. As a basic tenet of civil society, we expect government regulatory authorities to take the initiative, identify major issues of concern, investigate those issues and provide recommendations and guidance to a dependent public. With these thoughts in mind, I sent details of my 1992 Australian Veterinary Association presentation and video recording of ‘Pandemic of Periodontal Disease, A Malodorous Condition’ to the President of the RCVS. (Periodontal disease, gum disease, is now accepted to be a major contributor to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and host of inflammatory diseases affecting humans and animals alike.)

The paper set out what the authorities should already have been seeking to remedy: Namely the serious health, cruelty and consumer fraud issues associated with a monotonous diet of ultra-processed ‘food’.

In reply, the RCVS wrote: “The President thanks you for your letter of 26^th August and the attached paper which we will draw to the attention of the members of the College.”

Alas, since that first seemingly positive acknowledgement, things have not gone as hoped. Instead of gratitude for helping them do their job over the past 33 years, the RCVS has stonewalled. The veterinary journals refuse to air discussions. Vets and vet students are deliberately kept in the dark by the vet authorities—whilst simultaneously they are fed a constant diet of junk pet food propaganda.

In 1997, in an attempt to counter the relentless brainwashing, I commenced standing for election to the RCVS Council. Once per year for 26 elections vets, if they happen to look, get to see a 500-word manifesto statement alerting them to the pet food devastation.

In 2004, 2014 and 2016 I travelled to London for face-to-face meetings with three separate RCVS presidents to no avail. Briefly, in 2004, Members of Parliament took an interest with an Early Day Motion signed by 55 MPs.

PROCESSED PET FOODS AND VETS

EDM (Early Day Motion)335: tabled on 07 December 2004

That this House deeply regrets the professional endorsement of processed food for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets by some members of the veterinary profession; is concerned at the level of incidence of malodorous gum disease and associated diseases of the kidneys, liver and other organs amongst the domestic pet population; recognises that their health and welfare is best served by foods, such as raw meaty bones, that reflect the full range of nutritional need; applauds and recommends the work of veterinary surgeon Tom Lonsdale and others in this field; recognises also that vets in the UK are trusted and independent advisers on the health of our pets; is therefore concerned by the nature of the relationship between some vets and producers of foods that cause illnesses in pets; and calls upon the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to make a definitive statement on the active endorsement and promotion of processed pet foods by vets.

The RCVS made no ‘definitive statement’ and continued to give succour to the mass poisoning of pets by the veterinary-pet food industrial complex.

Nothing, but nothing seems to shake their determination to resist examining and dealing with the junk pet food monster in the room.

Decades passed. The pet food industry, through advertising and vet school sponsorships, tightened its grip on the veterinary mind. Millions of pets have died of preventable diseases and pet owners have been fleeced of $millions.

In 2024 I sent a letter and copy of the award-winning book Multi-Billion-Dollar Pet Food Fraud: Hiding in Plain Sight for circulation to all 24 Members of the RCVS College Council. But the RCVS Executive, unlike their 1992 predecessors, refused to draw the evidence “to the attention of the members of the College”.

Also in 2024 I tabled a petition for a full Parliamentary “Inquiry into the pet food industry and its relationship with the vet profession”.

And in this 26^th year of standing in RCVS elections I called on the membership to consider:

If possible, we should choose to make the world a better place.

I believe the RCVS is criminally negligent and in breach of its undertakings:

To enhance society through improved animal health and welfare. We do this by setting, upholding, and advancing the educational, ethical, and clinical standards of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

I asked voters to further consider:

In my opinion, manufacturers of processed products, whether cooked or raw, veterinary schools and the RCVS should be held accountable for widespread animal cruelty and consumer fraud. Unless they change course, I believe that existing laws should be invoked and criminal and civil proceedings should commence.

260 registered Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons voted in support.

However, legal action will be costly and time consuming. Meanwhile, pet owners must protect themselves from the failings of a corrupt system; inform themselves of the multi-billion-pound pet food fraud, collusion of government authorities and the cruel effects on pets, people and the planet.

** RCVS provides accreditation for Australian and USA veterinary degrees.

Key Facts:

The ravages of a junk pet food diet on the health of pets has been well known in the veterinary profession at least since 1991. Despite accumulating further evidence the veterinary schools continue to promote commercial propaganda with devastating effects on animal health, human economy and the natural environment.

About us:

Dr Tom Lonsdale first blew the whistle on the veterinary-junk pet food industrial complex in 1991. Since when he's been campaigning for a global reckoning with potential for a renaissance in veterinary and medical science and improvement in animal health, human economy and natural environment. His 2025 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons election manifesto provides much background information.

Contact details:

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