What the PFI couldn't do, a few members and former members seem to be intent on doing -------------- destroying the forum.

It has come to our attention that these individuals are culling the membership list here to send emails and/or PMs to current members, even those who haven't posted in months and months, inviting them to join another forum and to post over there complaining about this forum, about the research being done here, and the moderators here.  We have received complaints from some members who have had their privacy invaded that they have been recipients of such unwanted solicitations/spam.  Solicitations/spam are against the terms of service here.

The moderators have also personally witnessed these individuals going through the membership list on a daily basis now.  Be sure you have your email addresses hidden if you so desire.  If you don't know how to do it, please contact one of the moderators to do it for you.

As a reminder, whether you are visiting here as a guest or logged in, your IP address(es) are recorded (as stated in the terms of service).

It appears that some disgruntled individuals have forgotten the Pet Food Recall of 2007 entirely, have forgotten our sick and deceased pets, and are more interested in fighting with other members, pitting members against each other, and taking up the time of the moderators.

If you receive an unwelcome solicitation via email or PM, we ask that you send a PM to one of the moderators here.

One would hope that if individuals aren't happy here, they would just move on and let the remaining members carry on with the tasks at hand; namely, what killed our pets, helping each other with health questions, comforting each other, and enjoying sharing our "kids" stories and photos.

I agree!  I discovered this forum when CJ was poisoned and I didn't have the slightest clue what was going on. I learned and was supported through her lengthy hospitalizations, further surgery, all the while taking in the amazing information that forum members had found. It felt like family and family that loved animals as much as I do.

So when other things happened in my life, I, of course, came to this forum for information, but more often as a safe place to share my burdens. You see, most of the people in my "real" life think I'm a bit of a nutjob because I care so much and do so much for my cats. There is so much I cannot even talk to them about. And they, without malice, often suggest that maybe I should just get on with life . . . so talking with them and sharing with them hasn't been a very good option for me.

I live alone (well, with no other skin people  ) and everyone here has been so kind to me.

Aren't there enough bad things going on in the world without turning against each other here? I agree with kittylyda and just me ~ if this isn't the right forum for you, please find one that is, but leave those of us who want to be here alone and don't spoil things for us. I'm just concerned that Ben will decide it's not worth the hassle and shut this forum down.

That would leave a huge hole in my life. And I would miss you and your animals terribly.

If you are one of those people who is causing a problem, please rethink what you are doing and why and please go where you are happier. But don't destroy all the good that has happened here.

catmom 11

I think the individuals who may be trying to ruin the forum have just erased all the good wishes and thoughts they ever shared here.....As I have said before...this forum is bigger than any one of us..it has been built up by all of us here and for someone to try to intentionally ruin this forum knowing how much this place has helped so many grieving pet owners..and how the posts have educated so many  of us with the problems with our current pet food companies and regulations and human food too....I can not understand....This is the first place I visit each day (after a quick "pet food recall" google) and it's one of the last places I check at night (before a quick "pet food recall" google) and if I do find some interesting recall news or pet food info the first place I share it with is itchmoforums so all of us can see it...and nothing can make me leave here....I can not understand either why one feels they need to destroy what we have taken almost two years to build up....I have not received any emails about this but if I do I will share them with this forum.

I love this place. It's home for a lot of us.
Don't know where i'd be without it.

First, I think the mods have a very difficult job so I join in expressing appreciation for the efforts they are making. Maybe "forum moderating" should be part of the training for a career in diplomacy!

I don't get around the Internet much but the buzz I hear is that all forums have disagreements, misunderstandings, and arguments. And a moderator anywhere has got to intervene at times, and make decisions. That's certainly been the case in any group I ever worked with when I was employed, whether large or small. It's all part of group dynamics, sadly. So I don't much see the point of anyone going to another forum, thinking there will always be perfect harmony. That's not likely. I'd like to see those who have left come back here, instead of whatever this other stuff is (I haven't seen any PM's or emails like that).

This forum shows an impressive amount of support when someone needs help; shares an enlightening amount of experience in many areas; does excellent research; turns up a staggering amount of necessary information; has great humor, and stellar writing. So whatever else is going on, I feel that Itchmo will survive and endure.

 First of all, there are many people who belong to more than one forum, pet related or otherwise. Most people were visiting numerous pet related forums and/or blogs during the recalls of 2007 in a desperate search to find information along with some answers as to what was really killing our pets. Personally my quest has not ended. If someone is considered a "defector" for that quest than that is very sad. It is not uncommon for people in leadership roles to use coercive and deceptive techniques to rally people against what they deem to be a threat to the ideal, principal, or group they believe in or belong to. This in turn causes others within that same group to become protective and defensive towards what they now believe is in harms way. I have made some great friends at Itchmo. Unfortunatley some either chose to become mods, quit the forum or are gone due to questionable circumstances. We used to have a lot of fun together and I miss that. So if visting other forums makes one a traitor/defector, than I guess I fit that description.   Carol, you are correct with your statement in regards to there are those "who have no idea what has happened here".                   

I havent read anywhere where anyone is being labeled a defector if they are a member in other forums.  I think what is being referred to are some posts at other forums where some not so kind words and generalizations are being said about Itchmo.  I have seen some of these recent posts and its pretty sad to see.  Itchmo was there for all of us during the pet food recalls of 2007 and I hope Ben and Emily and everyone else involved in keeping Itchmo running knows that the majority of us are still appreciative of all the time and effort it takes.       

I am still glad we have Itchmo forums and right now with dealing with a sick kitty, I am thankful for the kind wishes and many prayers being sent out way and am also thankful we have folks here spending countless of hours still looking out for pet food problems to keep us all alerted.   As far as moderating, all I can say is I admire anyone who volunteers for such a thankless task.  Its a no win situation to be in, you can never make everyone happy.  It doesnt matter what forum you go to, problems happen even under the best set of circumstances.   I have no ill-will or hard feelings towards those that have left or are unhappy but Im not sure judging by the posts I saw, that those feelings are mutual or reciprocated and that is unfortunate.  But Im not going to let it affect my involvement with Itchmo, I think the information here posted in the past and being found right now is of such importance and I hope Itchmo is around for a long time to come to protect all our pets.   Now....back to cleaning up more stinky diahrrea from my furry critter......   

For myself, I roam and lurk at many places. Itchmo is the main one I read about pets. It always has been the main news spot for me since I found it.

YB has done thousands of hours of work that helped all of us..and is a great resource for many. She also writes a very good blog that I also enjoy reading. I hate to see sour grapes being stomped so blatantly & with such hubris in her forum.   

People will go where they go, but IMO how they go & what they do when they go speaks volumes.