In 2002, the Iams International Animal Care Advisory Board was established to evaluate Iams animal research policy and to advise the Iams Company on new research alternatives that provide for advanced levels of dog and cat care. The Advisory Board is an independent group made up of members representing various disciplines and fields of study, including veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, behavior, welfare, and ethics.

Iams animal research staff members receive guidance on dog and cat welfare matters from the Advisory Board. The Board also conducts unannounced site visits and reviews all Iams animal research facilities to make sure all are in compliance with Iams animal testing policy. Re-visits confirm findings and allow Iams to provide updates on recommendations made during previous visits.

In addition to the Advisory Board, executives from the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States have full access to review any Iams animal research facility. These executives provide Iams with valued outside advice and we believe there is no other qualified authority that can better judge how we care for the dogs and cats in our feeding studies.

The guidance of the Advisory Board, the ASPCA, and the Humane Society has helped us undertake some new initiatives in Iams animal research policies and procedures. We have developed an innovative animal care facility with enhanced dog living quarters, increased natural lighting, and a dog park. In 2004, we made the unprecedented decision to move Iams animal research and nutritional studies from external contractors and universities to three locations--pet owners' homes, Iams Pet Health and Nutritional Centers, and organizations where dogs and cats already live, like shelters.

We are making every effort to examine, assess, and reform Iams animal research practices and policies on an ongoing basis. We feel that the development of the Advisory Board and the updates to our already industry-leading policy on nutritional studies have helped us take a major step in our mission to enhance the health and well being of dogs and cats around the world. We pledge complete openness on our Iams animal research policies so you can feel good about feeding your pets a proven product that is compassionately studied.