Because Animals CEO Shannon Falconer

Courtesy: Because, Animals

The CEO of pet food start-up Because Animals, Shannon Falconer, doesn't eat meat and hasn't for years, but the former Stanford microbiologist and longtime animal rescue volunteer says she never denied her pets the meat they craved. After all, cats are carnivores and dogs are omnivores in the wild.

Falconer and Because Animals co-founder Joshua Errett (also an experienced animal rescuer) have been working to make pet foods that cater to cats' and dogs' "ancestral diet," but do not require slaughtering animals, or raising them in an industrial setting.

This week, the start-up is bringing its Harmless Hunt Cultured Mouse Cat Treats, their first clean meat product, to SuperZoo one of the biggest trade shows in the pet food industry.

The treats are made with mouse tissue grown from stem cells in a food-grade bioreactor on a vegan medium, Falconer explained. No mice were killed to make the treats, but scientists had to take cells from the ears of donor mice to get started. The process involved putting a mouse under a mild anesthetic while their ear was pierced.

Two years later, the donor mice are doing well, Falconer says. Employees of Because Animals adopted all three of them, and they live in a rather plush mouse house.

Joshua Errett, COO and co-founder of Because Animals.

Courtesy: Because, Animals.

Most companies involved in the nascent clean meat industry are focused on producing food for humans.

These include: the Dutch start-up Mosa Meat which garnered buzz with the world's first cultured beef burger in 2013; Israeli venture Aleph Farms, which is making "slaughter-free steaks"; Upside Foods in California, which is making cultured chicken and duck; and Bluu Biosciences developers of cultured seafoods from fish cells, among many others.

As CNBC previously reported, the market for alternative meat -- including clean meat -- is expected to reach $140 billion over the next decade, capturing about 10% of the $1.4 trillion global meat industry.

Clean meat is not without its critics. Nobody has managed to scale lab-grown meat production to levels that show promise for feeding the world quite yet.

Additionally, University of Oxford researchers have noted, "It is not yet clear what the emissions footprints of real cultured production systems will look like." At the same time, animal tech advances promise to make the traditional meat industry healthier, and more sustainable.

Still, venture investors have jumped at the opportunity to disrupt the traditional industry, and hopefully, lessen the negative environmental impacts of global meat consumption. According to a PitchBook analysis, 66 clean meat start-ups have raised $1.77 billion in venture funding from 382 distinct investors already.

For its part, Because Animals has raised $6.7 million to date, from investors including SOSV,Draper Associates and Orkla. SOSV is one of the most active investors in this space, with at least 10 clean meat companies in its portfolio as of July 2021.

A general partner with SOSV, Bill Liao, said Because Animals may cut a faster path to mass production than other clean meat companies.

For one, Because Animals isn't making tiny mouse meat steaks -- it just needs to produce enough cultured mouse tissue to give its pet food a flavor profile cats and dogs will love. (The company's new treats do include other ingredients like cultured yeasts and pumpkin, Falconer told CNBC.)

He added, "One of the biggest challenges in cellular agriculture is sustainable, inexpensive media." Because Animals has developed that very thing and it's vegan.

Many other clean meat ventures have relied on fetal bovine serum, derived from the blood of animals, to help grow and duplicate animal cells for their products. FBS is highly expensive, however, and its use rankles animal rights and climate activists.

Because Animals developed its own animal-free formulation, and Liao believes the technology will be broadly applicable, possibly beyond pet foods.

Falconer, for the time being, says she is focused on the growing pet food category.

The CEO decided to pursue sustainable pet food while she was working as a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University's School of Medicine, she recalls.

Microbiologist Shannon Falconer started Because Animals. to bring cellular agriculture to the pet food industry.

Courtesy: Because, Animals.

Research animals were all around her, and she didn't have the expertise to eliminate scientists' need of them. But with her advanced degrees in microbiology and biochemistry, she knew how to cultivate different types of microorganisms and cells in a lab.

Falconer saw the potential to use her scientific skills to reduce or remove animals from the food supply chain. But she also felt that in her own diet, there were many options to choose from both at restaurants and grocery stores. She's mostly a lentils and tofu person, she says, but is a big fan of Impossible Foods' plant-based substitutes for meat products.

"We can always use more," the CEO said, "and I am happy when there are even more alternatives. But there was absolutely nothing for my cats and virtually nothing for dogs."

Falconer initially wondered if pet food was a big enough market to tackle, and how much of an environmental difference it could make to shift meat production for pet food toward cultured ingredients.

Livestock agriculture was responsible for the equivalent of260.54 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. in 2019, according to the most recent available EPA data.

The amount of pet food consumed pales in comparison with human meat consumption, Falconer discovered. But pet food is produced from leftovers in the global meat supply chain, including tons of meat that couldn't be sold for human consumption, and meat from fallen animals that die in transit, or from suffocation in farming facilities or from disease.

"All that meat gets shunted into pet food," Falconer said, "And it allows animal agriculture to stay afloat without making any big changes.

Today, the pet food market is growing, buoyed by increased adoption of dogs and cats by millennials, and greater awareness of health benefits through nutrition for pets. According to Grand View Research, the pet food market should grow to around $90.4 billion by 2025.

If Because Animals has the impact Falconer is looking for, a significant portion of that will shift to clean meat and other sustainable products soon. The company's next challenge will be scaling up to a larger commercial kitchen, while continuing to develop new, clean meat pet foods.

Correction: Livestock agriculture was responsible for the equivalent of 260.54 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. in 2019.

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Meet the company making mouse meat cat treats without harming animals - CNBC

DetailsCategory: DNA RNA and CellsPublished on Friday, 20 August 2021 17:24Hits: 287

10 of 14 Patients in FT596 Single-Dose Escalation Cohorts 2 and 3 Achieved Objective Response; 7 Patients Achieved Complete Response, including 2 of 3 Patients Treated with FT596 in Combination with Rituximab Following Autologous CD19 CAR T-cell Therapy

8 of 11 Patients in FT516 Multi-Dose Escalation Cohorts 2 and 3 Achieved Objective Response, including 6 Patients that Achieved Complete Response; 5 of 8 Responders Continue in Ongoing Response at Median Time of 5.2 Months

FT596 and FT516 Treatment Regimens were Well-tolerated; No Dose-limiting Toxicities, and No Adverse Events of Any Grade of ICANS or GVHD, were Observed; Two Low-grade Adverse Events of CRS were Reported in FT596 Single-Dose Escalation Cohorts 1 and 2

SAN DIEGO, CA, USA I August 19, 2021 I Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of programmed cellular immunotherapies for cancer, today highlighted positive interim clinical data from the Companys FT516 and FT596 programs for patients with relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma. FT516 is the Companys universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell product candidate derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered with a novel high-affinity, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which is designed to maximize antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a potent anti-tumor mechanism by which NK cells recognize, bind and kill antibody-coated cancer cells. The Companys FT596 program incorporates both the hnCD16 Fc receptor and a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19, which is designed to enable multi-antigen targeting of tumor cells, as well as an IL-15 receptor fusion (IL-15RF) to enhance NK cell activity and survival.

We are very pleased with the interim safety, response rates, and durability of responses observed in our ongoing clinical studies of FT516 and FT596 for the treatment of patients with relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphomas. These data continue to demonstrate that our off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK cell product candidates can uniquely deliver substantial therapeutic benefit and expand patient access to cell-based cancer immunotherapies, said Scott Wolchko, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fate Therapeutics. At this time, we are initiating multiple indication-specific, dose-expansion cohorts to broadly assess FT516 in combination with CD20-targeted monoclonal antibody regimens, including in patients that have experienced disease progression following autologous CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy. In addition, early clinical data with the single-dose FT596 treatment schedule have shown robust 30-day response rates and we look forward to further assessing both single-dose and multi-dose treatment regimens to validate its potential best-in-class therapeutic profile.

FT596 ProgramThe ongoing clinical trial in relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma is assessing a single dose of FT596 as monotherapy (Monotherapy Arm) and in combination with a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2) (Combination Arm) following three days of conditioning chemotherapy (500 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide and 30 mg/m2 of fludarabine). As of the data cutoff date of June 25, 2021, 10 patients in the Monotherapy Arm and 10 patients in the Combination Arm were evaluable for assessment of safety and efficacy in the first, second, and third dose cohorts of 30 million cells (n=3 each), 90 million cells (n=4 each), and 300 million cells (n=3 each), respectively (see Table 1). Patients had received a median of four prior lines of therapy and a median of 2.5 prior lines containing CD20-targeted therapy. Of the 20 patients, 12 patients (60%) had aggressive B-cell lymphoma, 10 patients (50%) were refractory to most recent prior therapy, and seven patients (35%) were previously treated with autologous CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy.

In the second and third single-dose cohorts of the Monotherapy and Combination Arms comprising a total of 14 patients, 10 of 14 patients (71%) achieved an objective response, including seven patients (50%) that achieved a complete response (CR), as assessed by PET-CT scan per Lugano 2014 criteria on Day 29 following FT596 dosing. Eight of 10 patients (80%) that had not previously received CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy achieved an objective response, including five patients (50%) that achieved CR. Two of four patients (50%) that had previously received CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy, both of whom were treated in the Combination Arm, achieved a CR. In the first single-dose cohorts of the Monotherapy and Combination Arms comprising a total of six patients, only one patient achieved an objective response, suggesting dose-response treatment effects for FT596. The ongoing dose-escalation study of FT596 is currently enrolling patients in the fourth single-dose cohort of 900 million cells in each arm.

The FT596 treatment regimens were well tolerated. No dose-limiting toxicities, and no treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were observed. Two low-grade adverse events (one Grade 1, one Grade 2) of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) were reported, both of which occurred concurrently with other confounding clinical events and resolved on the same day of onset.

FT596 Patient Case StudiesThe multi-antigen targeting functionality of FT596 is designed to uniquely address tumor heterogeneity and overcome antigen escape, and has the potential to drive responses in patients that might not effectively be treated with single-antigen targeted modalities, such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecific engagers and CAR T-cell therapies. The following are two case studies from the clinical trial:

Re-treatment with Second FT596 CycleThe FT596 protocol currently allows for the re-treatment of eligible patients with a second, single-dose cycle subject to consent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All requests by the Company for re-treatment were approved by the FDA. Of note, based on review of data submitted to date to the FDA, the Company is amending its FT596 clinical protocol at the FDAs recommendation to allow for re-treatment with a second FT596 cycle without requiring the agencys consent.

In second and third single-dose cohorts of the Monotherapy and Combination Arms as of the data cutoff date, four patients with CR at the end of the first single-dose cycle were re-treated, all of whom remained in CR following disease assessment at the end of the second cycle, and an additional four patients were re-treated and had not yet been assessed for response. The second, single-dose FT596 cycle was well tolerated, and no events of any grade of CRS, ICANS, or GVHD were observed.

FT516 ProgramThe clinical trial in relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma is assessing FT516 in an off-the-shelf treatment regimen of up to two cycles, with each cycle consisting of three days of conditioning chemotherapy (500 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide and 30 mg/m2 of fludarabine), a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2), and three weekly doses of FT516 each with IL-2 cytokine support. The FT516 treatment regimen is designed to be administered in the outpatient setting. Dose escalation is currently ongoing in the fourth multi-dose cohort of 900 million cells per dose.

At the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held in June, the Company highlighted positive interim clinical data for 11 patients treated in the second and third multi-dose cohorts of 90 million cells per dose (n=4) and 300 million cells per dose (n=7). Patients had received a median of three prior lines of therapy and a median of two prior lines containing CD20-targeted therapy. Of the eleven patients, eight patients had aggressive B-cell lymphoma, five patients were refractory to their most recent prior therapy, and four patients were previously treated with autologous CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. No dose-limiting toxicities, and no FT516-related serious adverse events or FT516-related Grade 3 or greater adverse events, were observed. The FT516 treatment regimen was well tolerated, and no TEAEs of any grade of CRS, ICANS, or GVHD were reported.

Ongoing Response AssessmentOf the 11 patients treated in the second and third multi-dose cohorts, eight patients (73%) achieved an objective response, including six patients (55%) who achieved CR, as assessed by PET-CT scan per Lugano 2014 criteria on Day 29 following the second FT516 treatment cycle. Notably, two of four patients (50%) previously treated with autologous CD19 CAR-T cell therapy achieved CR. At three months following first infusion, all eight responders maintained their response without further therapeutic intervention (3-Month Rate of 73% OR and 55% CR). As of the data cutoff date of July 7, 2021:

FT516 Patient Case StudyThe ASCO presentation featured a case study of a 36-year old male with triple-hit, high-grade B-cell lymphoma with rearrangements of MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 genes. The patient was refractory to all prior lines of therapy with the exception of autologous CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, for which a complete response of two months duration was achieved. The patient was most recently refractory to an investigational CD20-targeted T-cell engager and presented with bulky lymphadenopathy with the largest lesion measuring approximately 10 centimeters. The first FT516 treatment cycle resulted in a complete response with resolution of all metabolically active disease and 85% reduction in the size of target lesions. The patient received a second FT516 treatment cycle, after which the response assessment continued to show complete response. As of the data cutoff date of July 7, 2021, the patients most recent assessment at 4.9 months showed MRD negativity, confirming a profound CR.

Today's WebcastThe Company will host a live audio webcast today, Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET to review interim clinical data for the Companys FT516 and FT596 off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK cell programs. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the Company's website at http://www.fatetherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company's website beginning approximately two hours after the event.

About Fate Therapeutics iPSC Product PlatformThe Companys proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform enables mass production of off-the-shelf, engineered, homogeneous cell products that can be administered with multiple doses to deliver more effective pharmacologic activity, including in combination with other cancer treatments. Human iPSCs possess the unique dual properties of unlimited self-renewal and differentiation potential into all cell types of the body. The Companys first-of-kind approach involves engineering human iPSCs in a one-time genetic modification event and selecting a single engineered iPSC for maintenance as a clonal master iPSC line. Analogous to master cell lines used to manufacture biopharmaceutical drug products such as monoclonal antibodies, clonal master iPSC lines are a renewable source for manufacturing cell therapy products which are well-defined and uniform in composition, can be mass produced at significant scale in a cost-effective manner, and can be delivered off-the-shelf for patient treatment. As a result, the Companys platform is uniquely capable of overcoming numerous limitations associated with the production of cell therapies using patient- or donor-sourced cells, which is logistically complex and expensive and is subject to batch-to-batch and cell-to-cell variability that can affect clinical safety and efficacy. Fate Therapeutics iPSC product platform is supported by an intellectual property portfolio of over 350 issued patents and 150 pending patent applications.

About FT516FT516 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered to express a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies. CD16 mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a potent anti-tumor mechanism by which NK cells recognize, bind and kill antibody-coated cancer cells. ADCC is dependent on NK cells maintaining stable and effective expression of CD16, which has been shown to undergo considerable down-regulation in cancer patients. In addition, CD16 occurs in two variants, 158V or 158F, that elicit high or low binding affinity, respectively, to the Fc domain of IgG1 antibodies. Numerous clinical studies with FDA-approved tumor-targeting antibodies, including rituximab, trastuzumab and cetuximab, have demonstrated that patients homozygous for the 158V variant, which is present in only about 15% of patients, have improved clinical outcomes. FT516 is being investigated in a multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial as a monotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and in combination with CD20-targeted monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of advanced B-cell lymphoma (NCT04023071). Additionally, FT516 is being investigated in a multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial in combination with avelumab for the treatment of advanced solid tumor resistant to anti-PDL1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy (NCT04551885).

About FT596FT596 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered with three anti-tumor functional modalities: a proprietary chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) optimized for NK cell biology that targets B-cell antigen CD19; a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies; and an IL-15 receptor fusion (IL-15RF) that augments NK cell activity. In preclinical studies of FT596, the Company has demonstrated that dual activation of the CAR19 and hnCD16 targeting receptors enhances cytotoxic activity, indicating that multi-antigen engagement may elicit a deeper and more durable response. Additionally, in a humanized mouse model of lymphoma, FT596 in combination with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab showed enhanced killing of tumor cells in vivo as compared to rituximab alone. FT596 is being investigated in a multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma as a monotherapy and in combination with rituximab, and for the treatment of relapsed / refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as a monotherapy and in combination with obinutuzumab (NCT04245722).

About Fate Therapeutics, Inc.Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of first-in-class cellular immunotherapies for patients with cancer. The Company has established a leadership position in the clinical development and manufacture of universal, off-the-shelf cell products using its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform. The Companys immuno-oncology pipeline includes off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell product candidates, which are designed to synergize with well-established cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, and to target tumor-associated antigens using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.fatetherapeutics.com.

SOURCE: Fate Therapeutics

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Fate Therapeutics Announces Positive Interim Clinical Data from its FT596 and FT516 Off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK Cell Programs for B-cell Lymphoma |...

Every Wednesday at 8:30we're joined by John Perreault, Executive Director of theBerkshire Humane Societyto discuss all the happenings at their Barker Road facility, plus talk about their Pet of the Week.

Hello there, I'm Sofia! I am the absolute sweetest girl looking for a loving home to call my own. I can be very selective with the dogs that I choose to be friends with, and would not be a fan of living with another dog. However, when I'm out on walks, I do not bark or react to other dogs.

People are my favorite! I have yet to meet a person that I don't love, and I will show my affection with kisses and snuggles! I am fully house-trained and keep my kennel clean overnight too. And if you aren't sold on me yet, I also love to go out on hikes and for long walks with my people! I have never been around children, so a home with teens and up would be ideal. I cannot live with cats. I currently weigh 43 pounds.

If you are interested in meeting me, the lovely Sofia, or would like some more information, please call the kennel staff at (413) 447-7878 ext.126.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)

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Live 95.9 Pet Of The Week: Meet Sofia - Live 95.9

August 13, 2021

LUMBERTON Area health care providers are urging pregnant and nursing women to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Only about 22% of pregnant women have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One reason could be conflicting information that causes uncertainty about the safety of the vaccine, an issue that has been before the medical community for less than two years.

There are, understandably, no long-term studies to validate safety at this time, said Don McKinley, M.D., doctor of obstetrics and gynecology at UNC Health Southeastern.

In order to break through the fog of fear, UNC Health Southeastern physicians and caregivers discuss the benefits and risks of getting a vaccination with patients. One fact presented to patients is the danger COVID-19 presents to pregnant women.

According to the CDC, Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. If you are pregnant, you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, a conversation with your healthcare provider might help, but is not required for vaccination.

There is no current evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems, according to the CDC. But, data are limited.

Claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility are unfounded and have no scientific evidence supporting them, information given to UNC Health Southeastern patients reads in part.

UNC Health Southeastern staffers tell patients that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the two leading organizations representing specialists in obstetric care, recommend that all pregnant individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19. The organizations support of vaccination during pregnancy reflects evidence demonstrating the safe use of the COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy from tens of thousands of reporting individuals over the past several months, and the current low vaccination rates and concerning increase in cases.

Data have shown that COVID-19 infection puts pregnant people at increased risk of severe complications and even death, a release from the ACOG and the SMFM reads in part.

The two medical organizations point to the increased risk posed by the COVID Delta variant as another reason pregnant women should get vaccinated. People who have recently delivered and were not vaccinated during pregnancy also are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible, according to the two medical organizations.

ACOG encourages its members to enthusiastically recommend vaccination to their patients. This means emphasizing the known safety of the vaccines and the increased risk of severe complications associated with COVID-19 infection, including death, during pregnancy, said Dr. J. Martin Tucker, president of ACOG. It is clear that pregnant people need to feel confident in the decision to choose vaccination, and a strong recommendation from their obstetriciangynecologist could make a meaningful difference for many pregnant people.

UNC Health Southeastern doctors and other caregivers tell their patients there are risks, as there are with all immunizations, according to the health care system. There are mild side effects. They include injection side reactions, fatigue, chills, muscle pain, joint pain, headache and fever.

So far, the data show no increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth, or stillbirth, said Dr. Stuart Shelton, Cape Fear Valley Perinatologys Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. Basically, theres no increased risk of any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Data are still being collected and analyzed.

Shelton is the only maternal fetal medicine specialist, or perinatologist, in Cumberland County, and has been practicing in Fayetteville for 19 years, according to Cape Fear Valley Health.

I think the vaccine is safe, and I tell the patient that her risk of pregnancy complications is much higher if she gets COVID infection than it is with the vaccine, Shelton said. And right now, we dont know of any increased risks associated with the vaccine. If it was one of my family members or friends, I would highly recommend they get the vaccine without any reservation.

In a bid to collect more data on the issue, the CDC has established the v-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry and is inviting people to participate.

The registry is collecting health information from people who received COVID-19 vaccination in the periconception period (within 30 days before last menstrual period) or during pregnancy. The information is critical to helping people and their healthcare providers make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination. Participation is voluntary, and participants may opt out at any time, according to the CDC.

People wanting to participate must be enrolled in v-safe, a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after a person receives a COVID-19 vaccine. Through v-safe, a person can quickly tell CDC about any side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Depending on your answers to the web surveys, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information. V-safe will also remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if you need one, the CDC website reads in part.

Anyone who wants to participate in v-safe can register online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/register-for-v-safe.html

The New England Journal of Medicine included v-safe data collected from Dec. 14, 2020, to Feb. 28 in an article published on April 21.

The results were, A total of 35,691 v-safe participants 16 to 54 years of age identified as pregnant. Injection-site pain was reported more frequently among pregnant persons than among nonpregnant women, whereas headache, myalgia, chills, and fever were reported less frequently. Among 3958 participants enrolled in the v-safe pregnancy registry, 827 had a completed pregnancy, of which 115 (13.9%) resulted in a pregnancy loss and 712 (86.1%) resulted in a live birth (mostly among participants with vaccination in the third trimester). Adverse neonatal outcomes included preterm birth (in 9.4%) and small size for gestational age (in 3.2%); no neonatal deaths were reported. Although not directly comparable, calculated proportions of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in persons vaccinated against Covid-19 who had a completed pregnancy were similar to incidences reported in studies involving pregnant women that were conducted before the Covid-19 pandemic. Among 221 pregnancy-related adverse events reported to the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System), the most frequently reported event was spontaneous abortion (46 cases).

The conclusion was that preliminary findings did not show obvious safety signals among pregnant people who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the CDC, mRNA vaccines teach cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside the body. The benefit of mRNA vaccines is people vaccinated gain protection without risking the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.

However, more longitudinal follow-up, including follow-up of large numbers of women vaccinated earlier in pregnancy, is necessary to inform maternal, pregnancy, and infant outcomes, the Journal of Medicine article reads in part.

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Petco Love awards $2,000 grant to Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary - The Robesonian

I'm pretty sure you got the alert on your phone this morning but if you didn't, August 17th is Black Cat Appreciation Day.

This is not to be confused with the October 27th holiday of National Black Cat Day. What's the difference? No one knows but these little guys all deserve their day in the sun. But not too much sun. According to this Mental Floss article, when a black cat spends too much time in the sun, it can dye the pigments causing natural striping or spotting to occur. It's pretty complicated and you should check out the article for a completeexplanation.

One other fact I learned from the article is that black cats aren't bad luck in every culture. Sometimes they're good luck.

If you're a single woman in Japan, owning a black cat is said to increase you number of suitors: if you're in Germany and one crosses your path from left to right, good things are on the horizon.

Seriously, there are 8 black cat facts on that list and at lest 7 are interesting.

I went to the Winnebago County Animal Services site and found that they had quite a few black cats up for adoption. I counted at least 10 without getting too loose with the definition of a "black" cat.

Here's a list of 10 feline friends you can bring into your house to hopefully change your luck for the better.

Darling is a 3-year-old spayed Domestic Shorthair. She also has amazing eyes.

Sami is a 2-year-old neutered Domestic Shorthair. He has tufts of white to contrast the deep black. Very cool looking cat.

Zach is a 1-year-old Domestic Longhair. This isn't the most flattering angle of Zach I'm sure. Perhaps for the cat owner that likes their distance.

The website says this is a 1-year-old male Domestic Shorthair, but I'm pretty sure that's a pug. Either way it looks like Whiskers needs some care so he can relax.

Salem

Salem is a 2-Year-Old spayed Domestic Shorthair and if I'm being honest looks magnificent. I don't even really like cats and I'd like this cat. Her "resting queen-face" is amazing. 10/10 as far as cats go.

Raspberry is a 4-month-old female Domestic Medium Hair. Raspberry appears to be a kitten. Very cute.

Monty is a 2-year-old neutered Domestic Shorthair. Did I bend the rules a little by letting this white nosed cat into the mix? Maybe. But I loved this guy's look. He's only 2 years old and he'll be having none of your s^%t today. I respect that.

Lana is a 2-year-old spayed Domestic Shorthair. I have no idea what the frame of reference we're looking at Lana in, but she appears to be quite small. Perhaps a runt? Runts are great pets.

Keke is a 3-year-old spayed Domestic Shorthair. Is Keke totally black? No but that's another face I felt the need to share.

You can apply onlineand they'll get back to you soon. Rescues are literally the best. Max came from a shelter and is everyone's favorite no matter where I take him.

I know you didn't ask but yes, he IS a very good boy.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

A trip to the zoo to see the animals is always a highlight to my family's summer. This year, Belvidere's Summerfield Zoo has many baby animals you need to see.

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Here Are 10 Adoptable Black Cats In Rockford. Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day! - 1440wrok.com

COVID-19 isnt the Only Virus to be on the Lookout for West Nile is Back

The West Nile Virus has been detected in a batch of mosquitos that were collected in Salem, New Hampshire on August 3 according to wmur.com. Time to get out that insect repellent. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has elevated the risk for the virus in our area to low. Although the risk may be listed as low it is still something to be aware of. You dont want to get West Nile Virus.

Dr. Benjamin Chan, a state epidemiologist said in a press release, Until there is a statewide mosquito-killing frost, it remains important for everybody to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, including wearing long sleeves, using an effective mosquito repellant on exposed skin, and avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when the mosquitos are most active, according to reporting by wmur.com. Another reason to avoid mosquitos is the risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon virus. A New Hampshire resident died just last month after contracting the Jamestown Canyon virus.

If you are bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus, you most likely not see symptoms for about a week. The symptoms can feel like the flu, you can have a fever and muscle aches, and fatigue. Some people just get mild symptoms while others can experience a more serious central nervous system disease. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any doubts or are experiencing symptoms. I get so freaked out by sharks when the real threat from viruses is invisible to the naked eye. Just something else to worry about as if I dont have enough. Wear your insect repellent.

Since we are on the topic of getting bit look at this

Here in Maine, there are plenty of critters that can take a bite out of you if they do desire.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

See original here:
Be Very Careful the West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitos in Salem New Hampshire - wokq.com

10 of 14 Patients in FT596 Single-Dose Escalation Cohorts 2 and 3 Achieved Objective Response; 7 Patients Achieved Complete Response, including 2 of 3 Patients Treated with FT596 in Combination with Rituximab Following Autologous CD19 CAR T-cell Therapy

8 of 11 Patients in FT516 Multi-Dose Escalation Cohorts 2 and 3 Achieved Objective Response, including 6 Patients that Achieved Complete Response; 5 of 8 Responders Continue in Ongoing Response at Median Time of 5.2 Months

FT596 and FT516 Treatment Regimens were Well-tolerated; No Dose-limiting Toxicities, and No Adverse Events of Any Grade of ICANS or GVHD, were Observed; Two Low-grade Adverse Events of CRS were Reported in FT596 Single-Dose Escalation Cohorts 1 and 2

Management to Host Virtual Event Today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of programmed cellular immunotherapies for cancer, today highlighted positive interim clinical data from the Companys FT516 and FT596 programs for patients with relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma. FT516 is the Companys universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell product candidate derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered with a novel high-affinity, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which is designed to maximize antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a potent anti-tumor mechanism by which NK cells recognize, bind and kill antibody-coated cancer cells. The Companys FT596 program incorporates both the hnCD16 Fc receptor and a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19, which is designed to enable multi-antigen targeting of tumor cells, as well as an IL-15 receptor fusion (IL-15RF) to enhance NK cell activity and survival.

We are very pleased with the interim safety, response rates, and durability of responses observed in our ongoing clinical studies of FT516 and FT596 for the treatment of patients with relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphomas. These data continue to demonstrate that our off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK cell product candidates can uniquely deliver substantial therapeutic benefit and expand patient access to cell-based cancer immunotherapies, said Scott Wolchko, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fate Therapeutics. At this time, we are initiating multiple indication-specific, dose-expansion cohorts to broadly assess FT516 in combination with CD20-targeted monoclonal antibody regimens, including in patients that have experienced disease progression following autologous CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy. In addition, early clinical data with the single-dose FT596 treatment schedule have shown robust 30-day response rates and we look forward to further assessing both single-dose and multi-dose treatment regimens to validate its potential best-in-class therapeutic profile.

FT596 ProgramThe ongoing clinical trial in relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma is assessing a single dose of FT596 as monotherapy (Monotherapy Arm) and in combination with a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2) (Combination Arm) following three days of conditioning chemotherapy (500 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide and 30 mg/m2 of fludarabine). As of the data cutoff date of June 25, 2021, 10 patients in the Monotherapy Arm and 10 patients in the Combination Arm were evaluable for assessment of safety and efficacy in the first, second, and third dose cohorts of 30 million cells (n=3 each), 90 million cells (n=4 each), and 300 million cells (n=3 each), respectively (see Table 1). Patients had received a median of four prior lines of therapy and a median of 2.5 prior lines containing CD20-targeted therapy. Of the 20 patients, 12 patients (60%) had aggressive B-cell lymphoma, 10 patients (50%) were refractory to most recent prior therapy, and seven patients (35%) were previously treated with autologous CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy.

In the second and third single-dose cohorts of the Monotherapy and Combination Arms comprising a total of 14 patients, 10 of 14 patients (71%) achieved an objective response, including seven patients (50%) that achieved a complete response (CR), as assessed by PET-CT scan per Lugano 2014 criteria on Day 29 following FT596 dosing. Eight of 10 patients (80%) that had not previously received CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy achieved an objective response, including five patients (50%) that achieved CR. Two of four patients (50%) that had previously received CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy, both of whom were treated in the Combination Arm, achieved a CR. In the first single-dose cohorts of the Monotherapy and Combination Arms comprising a total of six patients, only one patient achieved an objective response, suggesting dose-response treatment effects for FT596. The ongoing dose-escalation study of FT596 is currently enrolling patients in the fourth single-dose cohort of 900 million cells in each arm.

The FT596 treatment regimens were well tolerated. No dose-limiting toxicities, and no treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were observed. Two low-grade adverse events (one Grade 1, one Grade 2) of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) were reported, both of which occurred concurrently with other confounding clinical events and resolved on the same day of onset.

FT596 Patient Case StudiesThe multi-antigen targeting functionality of FT596 is designed to uniquely address tumor heterogeneity and overcome antigen escape, and has the potential to drive responses in patients that might not effectively be treated with single-antigen targeted modalities, such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecific engagers and CAR T-cell therapies. The following are two case studies from the clinical trial:

Re-treatment with Second FT596 CycleThe FT596 protocol currently allows for the re-treatment of eligible patients with a second, single-dose cycle subject to consent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All requests by the Company for re-treatment were approved by the FDA. Of note, based on review of data submitted to date to the FDA, the Company is amending its FT596 clinical protocol at the FDAs recommendation to allow for re-treatment with a second FT596 cycle without requiring the agencys consent.

In second and third single-dose cohorts of the Monotherapy and Combination Arms as of the data cutoff date, four patients with CR at the end of the first single-dose cycle were re-treated, all of whom remained in CR following disease assessment at the end of the second cycle, and an additional four patients were re-treated and had not yet been assessed for response. The second, single-dose FT596 cycle was well tolerated, and no events of any grade of CRS, ICANS, or GVHD were observed.

FT516 ProgramThe clinical trial in relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma is assessing FT516 in an off-the-shelf treatment regimen of up to two cycles, with each cycle consisting of three days of conditioning chemotherapy (500 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide and 30 mg/m2 of fludarabine), a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2), and three weekly doses of FT516 each with IL-2 cytokine support. The FT516 treatment regimen is designed to be administered in the outpatient setting. Dose escalation is currently ongoing in the fourth multi-dose cohort of 900 million cells per dose.

At the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held in June, the Company highlighted positive interim clinical data for 11 patients treated in the second and third multi-dose cohorts of 90 million cells per dose (n=4) and 300 million cells per dose (n=7). Patients had received a median of three prior lines of therapy and a median of two prior lines containing CD20-targeted therapy. Of the eleven patients, eight patients had aggressive B-cell lymphoma, five patients were refractory to their most recent prior therapy, and four patients were previously treated with autologous CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. No dose-limiting toxicities, and no FT516-related serious adverse events or FT516-related Grade 3 or greater adverse events, were observed. The FT516 treatment regimen was well tolerated, and no TEAEs of any grade of CRS, ICANS, or GVHD were reported.

Ongoing Response AssessmentOf the 11 patients treated in the second and third multi-dose cohorts, eight patients (73%) achieved an objective response, including six patients (55%) who achieved CR, as assessed by PET-CT scan per Lugano 2014 criteria on Day 29 following the second FT516 treatment cycle. Notably, two of four patients (50%) previously treated with autologous CD19 CAR-T cell therapy achieved CR. At three months following first infusion, all eight responders maintained their response without further therapeutic intervention (3-Month Rate of 73% OR and 55% CR). As of the data cutoff date of July 7, 2021:

FT516 Patient Case StudyThe ASCO presentation featured a case study of a 36-year old male with triple-hit, high-grade B-cell lymphoma with rearrangements of MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 genes. The patient was refractory to all prior lines of therapy with the exception of autologous CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, for which a complete response of two months duration was achieved. The patient was most recently refractory to an investigational CD20-targeted T-cell engager and presented with bulky lymphadenopathy with the largest lesion measuring approximately 10 centimeters. The first FT516 treatment cycle resulted in a complete response with resolution of all metabolically active disease and 85% reduction in the size of target lesions. The patient received a second FT516 treatment cycle, after which the response assessment continued to show complete response. As of the data cutoff date of July 7, 2021, the patients most recent assessment at 4.9 months showed MRD negativity, confirming a profound CR.

Today's WebcastThe Company will host a live audio webcast today, Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET to review interim clinical data for the Companys FT516 and FT596 off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived NK cell programs. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the Company's website at http://www.fatetherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company's website beginning approximately two hours after the event.

About Fate Therapeutics iPSC Product PlatformThe Companys proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform enables mass production of off-the-shelf, engineered, homogeneous cell products that can be administered with multiple doses to deliver more effective pharmacologic activity, including in combination with other cancer treatments. Human iPSCs possess the unique dual properties of unlimited self-renewal and differentiation potential into all cell types of the body. The Companys first-of-kind approach involves engineering human iPSCs in a one-time genetic modification event and selecting a single engineered iPSC for maintenance as a clonal master iPSC line. Analogous to master cell lines used to manufacture biopharmaceutical drug products such as monoclonal antibodies, clonal master iPSC lines are a renewable source for manufacturing cell therapy products which are well-defined and uniform in composition, can be mass produced at significant scale in a cost-effective manner, and can be delivered off-the-shelf for patient treatment. As a result, the Companys platform is uniquely capable of overcoming numerous limitations associated with the production of cell therapies using patient- or donor-sourced cells, which is logistically complex and expensive and is subject to batch-to-batch and cell-to-cell variability that can affect clinical safety and efficacy. Fate Therapeutics iPSC product platform is supported by an intellectual property portfolio of over 350 issued patents and 150 pending patent applications.

About FT516FT516 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered to express a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies. CD16 mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a potent anti-tumor mechanism by which NK cells recognize, bind and kill antibody-coated cancer cells. ADCC is dependent on NK cells maintaining stable and effective expression of CD16, which has been shown to undergo considerable down-regulation in cancer patients. In addition, CD16 occurs in two variants, 158V or 158F, that elicit high or low binding affinity, respectively, to the Fc domain of IgG1 antibodies. Numerous clinical studies with FDA-approved tumor-targeting antibodies, including rituximab, trastuzumab and cetuximab, have demonstrated that patients homozygous for the 158V variant, which is present in only about 15% of patients, have improved clinical outcomes. FT516 is being investigated in a multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial as a monotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and in combination with CD20-targeted monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of advanced B-cell lymphoma (NCT04023071). Additionally, FT516 is being investigated in a multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial in combination with avelumab for the treatment of advanced solid tumor resistant to anti-PDL1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy (NCT04551885).

About FT596FT596 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered with three anti-tumor functional modalities: a proprietary chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) optimized for NK cell biology that targets B-cell antigen CD19; a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies; and an IL-15 receptor fusion (IL-15RF) that augments NK cell activity. In preclinical studies of FT596, the Company has demonstrated that dual activation of the CAR19 and hnCD16 targeting receptors enhances cytotoxic activity, indicating that multi-antigen engagement may elicit a deeper and more durable response. Additionally, in a humanized mouse model of lymphoma, FT596 in combination with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab showed enhanced killing of tumor cells in vivo as compared to rituximab alone. FT596 is being investigated in a multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma as a monotherapy and in combination with rituximab, and for the treatment of relapsed / refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as a monotherapy and in combination with obinutuzumab (NCT04245722).

About Fate Therapeutics, Inc.Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of first-in-class cellular immunotherapies for patients with cancer. The Company has established a leadership position in the clinical development and manufacture of universal, off-the-shelf cell products using its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform. The Companys immuno-oncology pipeline includes off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell product candidates, which are designed to synergize with well-established cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, and to target tumor-associated antigens using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.fatetherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements regarding the safety and therapeutic potential of the Companys iPSC-derived NK cell product candidates, including FT516 and FT596, the Companys plans and timelines for its ongoing and planned clinical studies, and the expected clinical development plans for FT516 and FT596. These and any other forward-looking statements in this release are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that results observed in studies of its product candidates, including interim results and results from earlier studies, may not be predictive of final results or results observed in ongoing or future studies involving these product candidates, the risk of a delay in the initiation of, or in the enrollment or evaluation of subjects in, any clinical studies, the risk that the Company may cease or delay clinical development of any of its product candidates for a variety of reasons (including requirements that may be imposed by regulatory authorities on the initiation or conduct of clinical trials, the amount and type of data to be generated, or otherwise to support regulatory approval, difficulties or delays in subject enrollment and continuation in current and planned clinical trials, difficulties in manufacturing or supplying the Companys product candidates for clinical testing, and any adverse events or other negative results that may be observed during preclinical or clinical development), and the risk that its product candidates may not produce therapeutic benefits or may cause other unanticipated adverse effects. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the Companys actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risks and uncertainties detailed in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Companys most recently filed periodic report, and from time to time in the Companys press releases and other investor communications.Fate Therapeutics is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:Christina TartagliaStern Investor Relations, Inc.212.362.1200christina@sternir.com

More:
Fate Therapeutics Announces Positive Interim Clinical Data from its FT596 and FT516 Off-the-shelf, iPSC - GlobeNewswire

Allow us to introduce you to this week's Pet of the Week from theVanderburgh Humane Society. Meet Buddy.

Buddy is a 2-year-old retriever/terrier mix. According to VHS Executive Director Kendall Paul, he's great with kids, and as you can see from the video, loves to run and play outside. Buddy's adoption fee is $150. That cost, like all adoption fees at the VHS covers the cost of getting his vaccinations up-to-date, his neutering, and microchipping in the event he gets a little too excited and runs off.

If you'd like to meet Buddy, contact the VHS to set up a time to hang out with him and see if he's the right fit for your family. If the answer is "yes" (hopefully it is), you can fill out the adoption form online atvhslifesaver.org.

The VHS is partnering with the Evansville Otters for a special Dog Days of Summer event at Bosse Field on Sunday, August 22nd. The Otters will be taking on the Gateway Grizzlies for an afternoon game, and all dogs are welcome to enjoy the game with their owners. Admission is free, however tickets are required and can be picked up at either the VHS or River Kitty Cat Cafe on the Main Street Walkway. In addition to the game, the day will also feature adoptable pets currently living at the VHS, as well as a half-pot, and half-price hot dogs.

If you have a weekday morning free, come do Mutts Morning Out! Or, on Saturday mornings, Cardio for Canines! (It happens rain or shine pretty much every weekend as long as have volunteers available!)

Shop on Saturdays, donate items, or volunteer. We want to be open more during the week, but need the manpower, so we need people who can commit to a day each week or every other week to help run the register OR sort & price items!

Be sure to follow VHS on TikTok @vhslifesaver to see funny animal videos and behind-the-scenes details on what sheltering really looks like! The clinic behind-the-scenes TikTok is up to more than 700,000 VIEWS!

Wanna watch cats playing LIVE 24/7 (if theyre not sleeping) on their new Petcube Play in the Cageless Cat Lounge and at the River Kitty Cat Cafe. Download the free Petcube app, create an account, and find VHS Cat Lounge. The camera runs all the time and if you turn your phone to landscape, you can control the built-in laser pointer and play with the kittens!vhslifesaver.org!

Why do they meow? Why do they nap so much? Why do they have whiskers? Cats, and their undeniably adorable babies known as kittens, are mysterious creatures. Their larger relatives, after all, are some of the most mystical and lethal animals on the planet. Many questions related to domestic felines, however, have perfectly logical answers. Heres a look at some of the most common questions related to kittens and cats, and the answers cat lovers are looking for.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

KEEP READING: Check out these 50 fascinating facts about dogs:

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Buddy Wants to Be Your New Best Friend - VHS Pet of the Week - wkdq.com

Every Wednesday at 8:30we're joined by John Perreault, Executive Director of theBerkshire Humane Societyto discuss all the happenings at their Barker Road facility, plus talk about their Pet of the Week.

This week's Pet of the Week is Jerry a long-haired two-year-old domestic long-haired cat looking for his forever home. Jerry is a very sweet cat who often gets overlooked by visitors to the Berkshire Humane Society Purradise location but would make a great companion for almost any household.

If you are interested inJerry or any of the other animals looking for their forever home, please call the Berkshire Humane Society kennel at 413-447-7878, extension 126.

Why do they meow? Why do they nap so much? Why do they have whiskers? Cats, and their undeniably adorable babies known as kittens, are mysterious creatures. Their larger relatives, after all, are some of the most mystical and lethal animals on the planet. Many questions related to domestic felines, however, have perfectly logical answers. Heres a look at some of the most common questions related to kittens and cats, and the answers cat lovers are looking for.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Read more:
Berkshire Humane Society Pet of the Week: Meet Jerry - Live 95.9

Big Heart Pet, Inc. the makers of Pup-Peroni Dog Treats (Original Beef & Triple Steak Flavors) has withdrawn, the dog treats because of the presence of mold. specifically, Various lot numbers and sizes of Original Beef Flavor and Triple Steak Flavor Pup-Peroni Dog Treats, with best by dates ranging from Sept. 25, 2022 to Dec. 24, 2022.

Sku info sent by Chewy that was affected:

Pup-Peroni Original Beef Flavor Dog Treats, 38-oz bag 79100830527125211

Best by Date/ Production Code: VariousLot: Various Pup-Peroni Triple Steak Flavor Dog Treats, 38-oz bag 79100589913177938

Best by Date/ Production Code: VariousLot: Various Pup-Peroni Original Beef Flavor Dog Treats, 25-oz bag 7910058371399923

Best by Date/ Production Code: VariousLot: Various Pup-Peroni Triple Steak Flavor Dog Treats, 25-oz bag 79100149810142268

Best by Date/ Production Code: VariousLot: Various

Ina release from the company that makes pup-peroni, the J.M Smucker Company

They have initiated a withdrawal of specific lots of Pup-Peroni Triple Steak Flavor andOriginal Beef Flavor Dog Treats due to an incident involving mold. While we continue to evaluate the issue, thedata we currently have does not suggest a food safety risk and we are coordinating this withdrawal out of anabundance of caution.

The Companies records indicate you have received shipments of impacted products.The company asksthat you examine yourinventories and immediately destroy any impacted product that remains.

Earlier this week, several customers shared photos on Pup-Peronis Facebook page that appeared to show mold on dog treats.

To receive your credit, please complete the Product Destruction/Return Summary form enclosed and send it to the contact identified on theform.

If any product matching the below production information is located at individual stores or distribution centers,please destroy the impacted product, fill out the included Verification of Product Destruction/Return form andsend it to your customer service representative.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

LOOK: The least obedient dog breeds

KEEP LOOKING: See What 50 of America's Most 'Pupular' Dog Breeds Look Like as Puppies

KEEP READING: Here are 6 foods from your cookout that could harm your dog

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A Well Known Dog Treat Your Pups Love Has Been Withdrawn - WUPE