Vicki and Luke
Photo by TR Ward Photography

A Message from Vicki Mills

I began developing Raw Food Sources because I wanted to find a faster, cheaper, better way to feed a home-prepared diet to my puppy Luke. He started off on kibble, but had chronic digestive problems which resolved immediately when he was fed real food. Then he developed allergies, or at least the symptoms of allergies, and needed to be on a food trial for months. The challenges of finding sources of “exotic” meats further convinced me of the need for a Raw Food Sources Directory.

I’m not a dog or cat expert - far from it! For the past ten years I’ve made my living in web development and search engine optimization. Luke is my first puppy. I didn’t give much thought to canine nutrition until I got him, but I had to educate myself quickly, and I still have a lot to learn. There are many good books, and loads of great information on the web, but much of it is conflicting, and it’s hard to know how to evaluate it all. I hope that by giving people a place to post excellent web resources on dog and cat feeding, and then allowing votes and comments on that material, it will be easier for pet guardians to find the best information.

Over the many months I’ve been working on this website, I’ve come to see that one of its main goals is to create an oasis of trust in the pet food field. At the end of 2008, the top five pet food companies controlled 80% of the market. Their handling of the pet food recalls of 2007 didn’t inspire trust, yet their huge marketing budgets assure that their messages will predominate.

On the other hand, the movement toward more local, whole, and sustainable food sources holds promise as a way of feeding ourselves and our pets healthier food. Raw Food Sources’ primary goal is to support local butchers, farmers, manufacturers, independent pet retailers, and consultants who help us create home prepared diets and feed higher quality raw or cooked foods to our pets. I’ve spoken with so many passionate, dedicated—and, yes, trustworthy—people who are devoted to creating and supporting good health for our companion animals. I hope you will spread the word about Raw Food Sources to your own trusted suppliers and submit or vote on your favorite resources.

You can learn more about Raw Food Sources here.  If you have suggestions for improving the site, please get in touch—I’d love to hear from you!

Vicki Mills
Founder, Raw Food Sources