>From:    Lisa Weisensale <[log in to unmask]>
>
>Curses!!  I can't find Sheppard and Greene Nutri-Life ferret food
>anywhere!!  Petsmart.com has just sent me an email that they no longer
>carry it.  Anyone have some suggestions on what would be best and not
>cost a huge fortune?  And, while we're at it, how to make a smooth
>transition from old food to new food...
 
Sheppard & Greene foods are not being discontinued.  I contacted Farnam
(makers of Sheppard & Greene) and was told the foods were being "improved"
and the new foods were currently being shipped out to stores.  I also
contacted The Ferret Store and recieved the following reply....
 
>Hi Karen,
>
>Thanks for writing about the Sheppard & Greene products.  Since Sheppard
>& Greene was bought by Farnam (a huge corporation) about two years ago,
>their marketing support of the Sheppard & Greene line was next to nothing.
>We were not being informed of product changes, new items, etc.  With
>their lack of support in the marketplace, there wasn't much demand for
>the product any more, and our sales of S&G products, showed it.
>
>Just days after the decision was made to drop the line, we noticed an
>advertisement in a trade magazine, that the Sheppard & Greene food is now
>being marketed as "New and Improved".  I spoke with their district rep
>for our area the other day and am awaiting samples of the food.  If they
>commit to building the brand again and start pushing it, we will consider
>bringing back a limited number of products - food, litter, treats and see
>how it moves.
>
>Keep an eye on our site, to see if the food returns.
>
>Thanks again,
>Scott Sanfilippo
[Posted in FML issue 3804]