Washington State Department of Agriculture and the historically inaccurate Oregon Department of Agriculture have both released public notices today (2/14/25) with less than fully transparent information regarding the risk of raw pet food and avian flu.
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) press release (Public Health Notice) stated: “The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) are warning pet owners about the risks of raw pet food after indoor cats in Oregon became ill from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1) beginning in early February 2025.“
“Tests conducted by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of HPAI in both cats and the food samples.”
Oregon Department of Agriculture told the public similar information. “The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) are warning pet owners about the risks of raw pet food after tests confirm Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two cats living in different households in Multnomah County, Oregon.”
“Tests conducted by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of HPAI in both cats and the food samples.”
BUT…test results provided by Washington Department of Agriculture to the pet food manufacturer – Wild Coast Pet Food – did NOT positively confirm the presence of avian flu in the pet foods tested. The lab results reported “Non-negative” and “Negative“ results. No testing (up to current day) of Wild Coast Raw has tested as Positive.
Non-negative.
What is a non-negative lab result? Google tells us: “A ‘non-negative’ lab result means that a test did not come back completely negative, it is not a definitive positive result and requires further analysis in a laboratory setting.”
Instead of waiting for that further analysis, Washington State Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Agriculture decided to issue less than honest press releases on a Friday afternoon right before a 3-day holiday weekend.
How can regulatory be so reckless? How can Oregon Department of Agriculture continue to mislead the public? This is now two raw pet foods Oregon has twisted the facts to fit their narrative. In the first instance Oregon neglected to state the cat linked to a raw pet food frequently went outdoors – in fact they directly lied to the public stating the cat was “strictly indoors”. Also in the first instance, Oregon neglected to tell the public their positive result was ONLY from an opened bag of cat food. And now, Oregon Department of Agriculture has partnered with Washington, with both agencies telling the public they “confirmed the presence of HPAI” when they know a “non-negative” lab result confirms nothing.
We phoned Washington Department of Agriculture at 2:15 PM PT today, left a voicemail message requesting a return call today. No one returned our call. We have also filed Freedom of Information Act requests with both Oregon and Washington Department of Agriculture, requesting the lab results and more information on the cats involved. When that information is provided, it will be shared.
Below is a copy of Wild Coast Raw’s statement to the public:
Oregon and Washington Department of Agriculture could (should) take a lesson in honesty and transparency from Wild Coast Pet Food. Pet owners deserve regulatory authorities that provide us accurate and fully transparent information. Unfortunately, it is not what we’ve been receiving.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
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