No argument here. Bob is one handsome fella!

Bob is an 8 year old male Orange domestic short hair kitty who had a very traumatic Craigslist experience with his 2 “sisters” Abbey and Princess.  Read the full story here.

Bob is very sweet, lovable and talkative.  He LOVES to be the center of attention.  He will brighten your day no matter what is going on.  He likes to be first in line to greet you at the door and offer you the opportunity to love, admire and adore him until your heart’s content.  Bob will make a great addition to any lucky family.

EVERYONE loves Bob! Contact us today to meet him!

EVERYONE loves Bob! Contact us today to meet him!

As consumer demand increased for animal-based products, factory farms sought a solution to meet this demand. One company, Beef Products, Inc., found a lucrative but disturbing way to increase their bottom line with a product now referred to as “pink slime.” Until recently, pink slime was added to America’s fast food, school lunches, and 70 percent of all ground beef sold at grocery stores.  The outcry of pink slime came to a boiling point on March 7th, when the concoction was exposed on an ABC-TV World News report. Although the beef filler is legal here in the States, it is not legal as a food additive in Canada or the United Kingdom.

The saga of pink slime began eleven years ago, in 2001, when Beef Products, Inc., was searching for a way to use fatty beef trimmings (also referred to as lean finely textured beef or LFTB). Typically, these trimmings were thrown out or used in pet food. Using LFTB, later known as pink slime, for human consumption was a potentially lucrative practice. But trying to use the filler was problematic: According to the New York Times, the meat trimmings were susceptible to E. coli contamination.

After finding a way to treat the product with an ammonia process that killed the deadly bacteria and salmonella, pink slime made its way into the human food chain. It wasn’t until 2002 that a U.S. Department of Agriculture microbiologist, Gerald Zirnstein, coined the term pink slime, and despite the chagrin of the beef industry, this apt moniker stuck.

Jon Stewert weighs in on pink slime with "The Hunger Shame"

This beef-based food additive is commonly added to ground beef and beef-based processed meats because it’s an inexpensive filler. Pink slime consists of finely ground beef scraps, sinew, fat, and connective tissue that were mechanically removed in a heated centrifuge from the fat, creating a liquid fat and protein paste. Afterward, the substance is processed, heated, and treated with ammonia gas or citric acid to kill E. coli, salmonella, and other bacteria. Finally, the product is finely ground and flash frozen for use as an additive in beef products.   Watch Jon Stewart’s take on pink slime.

Forced to have baby after baby and then was to be sent to slaughter, Lady is safe and loved at Pasado's Safe Haven and will never end up on a dinner plate.

The ammonia treatment program was so successful in removing bacteria that in 2007, the USDA decided to exempt Beef Products, Inc., from routine meat inspections. Pink slime became an approved, regular ingredient in ground beef, including fast-food hamburgers. In 2008, the documentary Food Inc. talked about the use of pink slime in foods. That same year, the federal school lunch program used an estimated 5.5 million pounds of processed beef. By July 2009, however, the New York Times reported that officials temporarily banned pink slime due to a salmonella outbreak in a Beef Products, Inc., facility in Kansas. This led to the revocation of Beef Products, Inc.’s exemption from routine inspection. By December of 2009, the media, including the New York Times, began to question the safety of pink slime.

Bessie is a rescued beautiful black and white Holstein cow at Pasado's who loves to play in the water.

In January 0f 2012, McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell chose to no longer use pink slime in their products. Several months later, however, it was reported that the USDA was still purchasing pink slime for the National School Lunch Program. On March 16, after parental outcry, schools in Washington, D.C. removed pink slime from their lunches. Other schools soon followed suit. Only five days later, supermarket chains began to pull pink slime from their shelves. Safeway and Kroger, two of the country’s largest supermarket chains, discontinued the use of pink slime. These companies were soon followed by Food Lion, Supervalu, and Stop and Shop, who agreed to get rid of their products containing pink slime by March 22^nd.

Discontinuing the use of pink slime across multiple companies and sectors prompted criticism from the American Meat Institute President. President J. Patrick Boyle stated, “Your relentless coverage and uninformed criticism of a safe and wholesome beef product has now delivered a hook for yet another nightly news broadcast. Lean finely textured beef is a safe and nutritious beef product that has been used for two decades. It is produced according to USDA rules and under USDA inspection. USDA’s confidence in the product is evidenced by the fact that it buys the product for its feeding programs. Its safety and wholesomeness is further bolstered by support from leaders in the consumer and food safety communities.”

Eddie Cheddar is a very handsome young cow at Pasado's Safe Haven with a great personality.

On March 27, pink slime producers temporarily suspended production at several processing plants. On April 2, Business Week reported that one of the major manufacturers of pink slime, AFA Foods Inc., filed for bankruptcy. The company, which is partially owned by Magic Johnson, is blaming a decrease in consumer and business demand for beef.

AFA Foods Inc., based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates seven facilities nationwide. AFA supplied beef to major vendors, including Safeway, Wal-Mart Stores, Burger King, Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr., and Wendy’s.

While the pink slime controversy, paired with recent alarm about cases of Mad Cow Disease in California, is disturbing, it’s not the first time that the government has been embroiled in an agricultural furor. In 1906, Congress was preparing to sign into law the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, measures that were intended to protect consumers from adulterated food. The laws gave the federal government power to mandate compliance with meat inspections, which had previously been voluntary, and to require food and drug manufacturers truthfully disclose the ingredients in their products. The government would set the rules about allowable ingredients.

The legislation was enacted within five months of the publication of Upton Sinclair’s novel “The Jungle.” Sinclair had hoped that it would expose the meatpacking industry’s exploitation of immigrant workers. The public, however, focused instead on the deplorable meat processing that Sinclair depicted. Sinclair revealed conditions that have reoccurred with modern agricultural controversies: Old and diseased cattle being sent to slaughter, unsanitary farm conditions, rat infestations, and the use of “filler” in processed meat. Unfortunately, many of these issues are still relevant today.

Factory farms, including dairy, pig, and poultry farms, have struggled with issues pertaining to ethics and sanitation for more than 100 years. What will it take to enact widespread reform?

Pasado’s Safe Haven would like to thank those who advocated on behalf of farm animals and consumers alike. But until consumers speak up, similar issues will remain.

Thanks to the support of readers like you, Pasado’s can continue to cover important issues like pink slime and ethical issues pertaining to poultry, pigs, and other farm animals. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue to fight for those who do cannot speak for themselves.

Thank you – from all of the animals at Pasado’s sanctuary and from those who are still seeking their safe haven.

A Good Samaritan called 911 after allegedly seeing Knowles lure Kona with dog treats and then savagely begin beating Kona. Officers responded to the call, arriving at Knowles’ home on Williams Street NW. They called for Knowles to exit the residence and saw Kona tied to a pole.

According to charging documents, Kona was bleeding profusely from his head and neck. After police notified Kona’s owner, Sam Hokanson, of the incident, Hokanson informed the officers that Knowles did not have permission to have Kona, who was kept in a fenced backyard.

Ricky Lee Knowles

Animal control officers had to cut a piece of wire off of Kona’s neck. Armed with a search warrant, police found bloody pants, blood-splattered cutting tools, a bloody garbage can, and dog treats. In a backyard shed, police also found a hammer covered in blood and dog hair. A fire pit beside the shed had a bloodied plastic cover over it.

Knowles has been charged with first degree animal cruelty, theft, and trespassing. Knowles’ bail was set at $20,000. Knowles pleaded not guilty to first-degree animal cruelty. After nearly chopping Kona to death, Knowles posted bail and walked out a free man. Kona, meanwhile, struggled to live.

When Kona arrived at Sumner Veterinary Hospital, the three-year-old pup was almost unrecognizable. His eyes were so swollen that he couldn’t open them. He could only take a few tentative steps at a time. And x-rays revealed the severity of his attack: He had multiple fractures on his head and in his sinus cavity. Veterinarians operated on Kona, extracting three bone chips and damaged tissue from his head and tending to severe puncture wounds in his neck. Neighbors are amazed that Kona was able to survive the vicious attack prosecutors say Knowles delivered.

“As far as abuse goes, this is horrific,” practice manager Mike Lynch said.

“He’s a lucky boy,” said veterinarian Dr. Mihai Aluas. “He’s improving very nicely.” While Kona is expected to make a full recovery, the trauma and severity of his assault may cause irreparable psychological damage.

“The only thing we can’t predict is any behavioral issues that might stem from such a tragic event,” Lynch stated.

Kona’s family has now been saddled with overwhelming veterinary bills. The family is currently taking donations to offset the cost of Kona’s expenses. While the exact cost of Kona’s total care is yet unknown, Lynch said that treatment for dogs hit by vehicles can span from $3,500 to $6,500. Donations can be walked in or mailed to Sumner Veterinary Hospital, 16024 60th St. E, Sumner, WA 98390.

The nature of Knowles’ attack is particularly disturbing. Orting police believe that Knowles went into Hokanson’s yard, where he used dog treats to lure Kona into his own yard and then beat the dog nearly to death with a hatchet. Hokanson stated that the two men had previously argued about Kona barking, but Hokanson thought that the issue had been resolved.

“I don’t know what would cause him, trigger him to beat up a dog,” Hokanson said.

A concerned community member indicated that Knowles might be a repeat offender.

Multiple studies have shown that those who abuse nonhuman animals often abuse humans, as well. A 1997 study performed by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Northeastern University found that animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than are individuals without a history of animal abuse.

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a 2001-2004 study from the Chicago Police Department, animal abusers have a propensity to commit violent crimes toward human victims. The study found that 65% of criminals arrested for crimes against animals were also arrested for battery against humans. The HSUS urges everyone to report all incidents of animal cruelty and abuse. Kona’s life was saved because a Good Samaritan called 911. Give authorities the power to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty by being alert and by being the voice for those who cannot speak.

In light of the severity of this attack and the risk to the community, Pasado’s Safe Haven urges our supporters to write a letter to the judge requesting maximum sentencing in this case. This heinous crime cannot go unpunished. Knowles cannot walk away from this attack and only receive a slap on the wrist. Help ensure that Knowles does not have the opportunity to hurt another animal or human.

Click on Komonews.com for video of Kona’s recovery. Please continue to visit the website for further updates as Kona continues on his road to recovery and as Pasado’s seeks justice for this innocent victim.

Here is an updated story on Kona’s recovery.

Thank you – from all of the animals at Pasado’s sanctuary and for all who are still seeking their safe haven.

WHAT YOU CAN DO-

Pasado's has waged numerous prosecutions against animal abusers, winning major convictions.

2.  Please send us your polite and professional comments to the Judge asking for maximum prosecution of Ricky Lee Knowles for this heinous act of animal cruelty.   We will deliver your comments to the Judge assigned to this case.  Thank you for speaking up for those, like Kona,  who cannot speak up for themselves.

This photo was taken shortly after Drew Kitty came to us. He is recovering very well and is even more handsome now!

Drew Kitty was found abandoned in a closet with a litter box and open bags of food. He was very overweight coming to Pasado’s and now is working on his figure. Drew loves getting attention and being brushed all the time. With all this new love he is getting, Drew is moving around getting healthier and just wants to repay with kisses and loves. Drew Kitty would make a great addition to any family!

Read more about Drew Kitty here.

Harley is the "King of Purring", and sounds much like the motorcycle!

Harley is a king of purring just like the motorcycle. He would do well being other cats in a household and loves getting lots of attention. Harley came in with his partner Ducati. Both cats were abandon by owner. A sweet lady rescued the cats and called Pasado’s for help. Harley is neutered, micro-chipped, and fully vaccinated. Needs his forever home so he can show off his purring ability.

Harley is a stunningly beautiful boy who just won a blue ribbon for”Best Gray Kitty” in the Average Joe Cat Show, sponsored by our friends at Purrfect Pals, on May 5th!

Ducati is not only beautiful...she is a purring machine!

Ducati is a beautiful Calico kitty. She is a sweet, lovable girl who is a purring machine!. She and Harley came in together after being abandoned by a previous owner. A sweet lady rescued them and called Pasado’s to help out. Ducati will be a great addition to any family!