DEAR READERS: Please see this excerpt from an October release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, entitled “Technical Report: September 2023 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses.” It contains data collected by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is part of the USDA.

“In the United States, from May 2022 through September 22, 2023, USDA APHIS reported HPAI A(H5N1) virus detections in 200 mammals comprising 20 different species in 26 states or territories. Globally, sporadic HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections have been reported in farmed mink in Spain and farmed foxes and other mammals in Finland, harbor and gray seals in the United States, sea lions in Peru, Argentina, and Chile, and in many other wild mammal species in several countries, including domesticated pets such as cats in Poland, France, South Korea, and the United States, and dogs in Italy. The reports of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections in mammals are not surprising given the widespread outbreaks of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections in wild birds worldwide.”

The full article is available at cdc.gov/bird-flu/php/technical-report/h5n1-100523.html.

Readers wanting more details can read this excellent article by Jonathan Runstadler and Wendy Puryear: “The virus is out of the barn: The emergence of HPAI as a pathogen of avian and mammalian wildlife around the globe,” published in The American Journal of Veterinary Research in May (doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.24.01.0018).

According to my records and estimates, the number of mammals being infected with this virus is in the thousands. And the more hosts the virus infects, the greater the possibility of spillover into the human population.

DEAR DR. FOX: I want to draw your attention to an article by Erin Adler -- “Feral cats and the fix too far” -- which ran in the Star Tribune in July. It reports that because of rising costs, the Animal Humane Society (AHA) is charging $75 to sterilize all cats considered unadoptable before releasing them to the neighborhoods where they were caught under their “community cat” TNR (trap, neuter, release) program.

Other rescue organizations are facing similar financial issues, especially since the “number of stray or abandoned cats has already skyrocketed in recent years because people can’t afford them or don’t want them post-pandemic,” Adler writes.

What solutions do you have to offer? You have written a lot about TNR, questioning the claim that it helps reduce feral cat numbers. It seems evident to me that the situation will get worse with more sick and injured cats out there, and more cats killing birds and other wildlife. -- J.L., Minneapolis

DEAR J.L.: I have read this article, noting in earlier reports that the AHA releases hundreds of purportedly unadoptable cats into surrounding communities to survive on their own. My late wife and I rescued and rehomed several such cats.

Many shelters across the U.S. are full to capacity as people surrender their cats and dogs because of rising care costs and/or housing restrictions. And with the shelters full, some people are simply letting their cats go free to fend for themselves. This is a tragedy indeed, meaning more animal suffering: a slow death for many cats, more decimation of wildlife, and increased risks to public health from the diseases cats can carry.

Charging people who bring in cats they have saved from the outdoors is likely to backfire, becoming a financial deterrent for would-be animal rescuers when the word gets out that this good deed comes with a price. This is a sad reflection of the rising costs of operating animal shelters, which all communities should support.

Aside from the problem of rising inflation, there is the thorny ideology of “no kill” shelters, which does not face the real necessity of having to euthanize otherwise healthy animals when there are too many of them and too few responsible adopters. I see this as a moral dilemma and an emotional burden on those involved in humane euthanasia.

It is much like the abortion rights issue. As an advocate of the ethic of reverence for all life, I see the pro-life ideology as causing more harm than good when not cast in the broader perspective of One Health and Welfare, which is the complex subject of my next book. In essence, the quality of life and consequences for all involved must be considered.

In sum, cat TNR should be prohibited, since only under exceptional circumstances has any significant reduction in free-roaming cats been accomplished. And women’s reproductive rights should be protected -- not undermined by patriarchy and by misguided, albeit well-intended, forces.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: The idea of cultivating animals’ cells to manufacture nutritious foods -- as an alternative to slaughtering animals for consumption -- keeps getting closer to reality.

In 2019, BioCraft Pet Nutrition (then known as Because Animals) launched a cat treat with a protein cultured from mouse cells. This May, BioCraft announced its cultivated mouse protein had reached price parity with animal-based meat protein in premium pet foods. Between those two announcements, the company also introduced a cultivated chicken protein slurry for pet food, having decided to base its business strategy on becoming a supplier to the industry.

Since 2019, more companies have entered the cultivated protein space in pet food. Meatly, a U.K.-based supplier, has earned regulatory authorization to sell its cultivated protein; Friends and Family Pet Food and Umami Bioworks are marketing supplements with cultivated fish cells. Further Foods announced its expected completion of feeding trials necessary for regulatory approval of dog foods containing cultivated chicken. Omni, a U.K. vegan pet food company, has launched a cat food with cultivated chicken.

Savor, backed by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, has been experimenting with creating dairy-free alternatives to ice cream, cheese and milk by utilizing a thermochemical process that allows it to build fat molecules. The company has now announced a new animal-free butter alternative.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have read your column for years. Now, after your column about the abuse of monkeys, I am afraid to read it. I had never heard of this, and know I will never forget that article as long as I live.

I know evil is everywhere, but I did not expect to be so horribly sickened by an animal column in my daily newspaper. I am at a loss on how to solve this manifestation of pure evil, but I will pray for our world.

Please share positive, uplifting stories about animal rights progress; we have enough evil on the nightly news. -- S.W., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR S.W.: I am sorry that my reporting of animal cruelty was so upsetting for you, and I fully understand. I have been dealing with what I call the “great divide” between people and other animals (and nature in general) since early childhood, when I witnessed the cruel torture of frogs and the drowning of kittens by my peers. From those early years, living with parents who rescued animals and drew my attention to the wild, I resolved to become a veterinarian.

For most of my professional life, I worked in animal protection -- advocating for their rights while facing much opposition from various industries and individuals, such as hunters and trappers. I have now completed the circle by incorporating the environment into the concept of One Health.

Many people are unaware of -- or in denial about -- the ways animals continue to be mistreated. My intention when reporting instances of animal cruelty is to hold up a mirror and awaken the conscience of the nation so that those who are informed can take action. If you are ready to do so, there are many animal and environmental protection organizations you can support, beginning with your local animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitation center.

We are now at a critical point in our evolution, facing climate change and the accelerating extinction of species worldwide. There are thousands of people around the world who care, and who are dedicating their lives to bringing respect and compassion to all creatures, great and small. A broken heart is an open heart -- a wound we suffer in our awareness of the plight of others, which can move us to compassionate action.

The best preventive against further inhumanity is not more legislation, but more education. All schools should have courses in humane and environmental education, as provided by the Institute for Humane Education. For details, go to: humaneeducation.org/lesson-plans-curricula.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: Please see the following development in the world of meat alternatives, summarized in this July 11 post on AgFunderNews.com:

“The Better Meat Co (BMC) has received a ‘no questions’ letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in response to its determination that its ‘Rhiza’ mycoprotein is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).

“The FDA letter is the first to cover a meat-replacing mycoprotein strain outside of the Fusarium genus ... (and) is also the first to include a U.S. Department of Agriculture evaluation of mycoprotein as a meat enhancer, claims BMC cofounder and CEO Paul Shapiro.

“‘Meats enhanced with Rhiza mycoprotein not only have dramatically superior yields after cooking, along with improved texture, but they also have substantially less saturated fat, cholesterol and calories, while boasting more fiber and potassium,’ said Shapiro. ...

“According to BMC’s GRAS notice, Rhiza mycoprotein is safe to consume in dairy analogs, meat analogs, and as a meat enhancer, has no capacity for producing mycotoxins, and is not associated with any common food allergens.”

Dr. Fox here: Neurospora crassa -- the subject of this specific GRAS notice -- has a well-documented, lengthy history of safe human consumption in a variety of Asian foods as well as animal feeds. Readers wanting to learn more should visit bettermeat.co.

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN DIETS, PROPERLY FORMULATED, APPROVED BY THE BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION

In a new policy position dated July 24, 2024, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has shifted its stance on nutritionally sound vegan diets for dogs, marking a significant step forward for ethical and sustainable dog nutrition. The BVA noted that 42% of companion animal veterinarians reported having clients who feed their dogs meat-free diets. This shift is largely driven by concerns over the health impacts of meat-based diets, as well as their environmental and animal welfare implications.

STOP BIRTHING COW, PIG EXHIBITS AT STATE FAIRS

The Star Tribune reported last month that Minnesota State Fair organizers do not plan to have pregnant cows giving birth at the fair this year because of fears of bird flu.

This is a timely action. The fair’s Miracle of Birth Center (MOBC) is one of a few similar exhibits in other states, including New York, Iowa, Michigan, California and Kansas, which sometimes feature pigs instead of cows. Pigs can carry swine flu, which can infect people. And the highly infectious H5N1 strain of influenza now infecting dairy herds, farm cats and farm workers can be transmitted by houseflies and blowflies.

Would it not be prudent, regardless of testing, to have no cows, pigs or poultry at any state fair? Even putting aside illness concerns, what thought is given to the stress of transporting pregnant cows and sows from farm to fair, and the need of most animals for seclusion and security while giving birth?

ARE YOUR DOGS GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?

The U.K. PDSA Animal Wellbeing report (published in the Veterinary Record in July) reported that dogs show confrontational behavior with other dogs in the home when they get less than 10 hours of sleep, compared to dogs who get more than 13 hours of sleep. Behaviors included growling, snapping or biting toward other dogs in the household. So let sleeping dogs lie undisturbed!

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)