Animal Poison Control Center Toxicology Bulletins: Febreze Fabric Refresher Update
Friday, January 11, 2002

ASPCA considers Febreze safe in households with dogs and cats when used as directed.

Contact: ASPCA Media Relations
(212) 876 7700 ext. 4655

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(New York) January 11, 2002 -- Febreze has recently been granted the ASPCA Seal of Approval as a pet-related product that meets The Society's standards of quality, general safety and usefulness. Based on a thorough review by veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, together with other outside experts, the ASPCA considers Febreze^TM safe in households with dogs and cats when used as directed. Contrary to rumors being spread over the Internet, The ASPCA knows of no substantiated evidence that the use of Febreze has caused the death of any dogs or cats.

Febreze earned the ASPCA Seal of Approval after a review in which ASPCA staff evaluated data on the product and its ingredients and determined it was safe to use as directed in households with dogs and cats. The data reviewed also suggest that Febreze is safe to use as directed in households with ferrets, rabbits and rodents. Because of their unique respiratory physiology, the ASPCA recommends that birds be removed from rooms when spraying any household cleaning product until the area is fully ventilated. Due to a lack of data about Febreze's interaction with pets other than dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits and rodents, those other animals should be removed from the room when the product is being used.

For over 25 years, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has been the premier animal poison control center in North America.  The center, an allied agency of the University of Illinois, is the only facility of its kind staffed by 25 veterinarians including 4 board-certified veterinary toxicologists and 10 certified veterinary technicians.  Located in Urbana, Illinois, the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners and specific analysis and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  In 2002, the center handled over 73,000 cases.  In addition, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center provides extensive veterinary toxicology consulting on a wide array of subjects including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability, regulatory reporting and bio surveillance. To reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, call (888) 426-4435.  For more information on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center visit www.apcc.aspca.org. (1/03)