Today I am going to tell you about something I have been very passionate about for a very, very long time, but have not spoken about until today. Do you know that sitting on the shelves at your local drugstores, Walmarts and other low-budget retail stores, there are cheap flea products that have harmed and even killed cats and dogs? Why these poisonous products are still being sold is anyone’s guess because for many years, there has been a grass roots effort to get them banned. People have even traveled to the Environmental Protection Agency’s offices to complain about these products, but so far, they are still available.
Why haven’t I written about this battle? Because in spite of all the efforts to get rid of these dangerous, pesticide-laden flea products, there hasn’t been a dedicated movement working hard to come up with an alternative — something that didn’t use toxic ingredients, including natural ones, or essential oils that aren’t good for us cats (we are especially sensitive to these). I didn’t want to just post photos of cats suffering the ill effects of these products when I had no answer. But finally someone — who has been directly impacted by dangerous over-the-counter flea products — is doing something great to come up with alternatives.
Meet Tiny Timmy… and his human.
Tiny Timmy was rescued from people that dosed him with one of these awful flea medications. He almost did not survive, but with a lot of care and a lot of love, he lived. Not unscathed, however. Timmy is permanently neurologically damaged from his encounter with the flea medicine. This does not stop him from enjoying life and being a happy kitty, but imagine what his life might have been like if this had not happened to him in the first place. You can read all of Timmy’s story here.
Timmy’s human decided it was time to take matters into her own hands and come up with an anti-flea product that would kill fleas, but not harm cats, dogs, or the children who might want to cuddle or play with them. Her first product is called Dirty Flea Soap, and in addition to getting rid of fleas naturally, it’s also good for the skin problems that come with flea infestation: dry, itchy skin, hot spots and the like. This rich soap is gluten-free, sustainable and has no GMOs. It is a wonderful product… but it is just the beginning!
Tiny Timmy’s human currently has an Indiegogo campaign to broaden her vision. At first, all she wanted was to sell enough bars of this soap to be able to donate some to rescues. Well, it was very successful — over 1,000 bars got donated! But now it’s time to turn this effort into a real business, with all the paperwork that requires. Plus, she wants to improve the base soap recipe to make it even more environmentally friendly. She also wants to create new products, such as a spray and liquid soap. All this requires money, hence the Indiegogo campaign. Here is the video for the campaign:
If you can’t see the above video, you can see it on their Indiegogo page.
The good news is that so far Tiny Timmy and his human have raised over $3,000! The bad news is that their goal is $8,900 — and there are only 6 days before the end of their campaign. With Indiegogo, they will get the money, even if they don’t reach their goal… but Indiegogo takes a significantly bigger percentage of the money if the campaign falls short! So can you please spread the word about this very worthy effort everywhere you can? And if you can afford to, chip in some money — there are many different levels and some really great perks! I want to see Timmy hit and maybe even surpass his goal!
Visit Timmy’s Indiegogo campaign here to find out all the details — and contribute!
Just to let you know, neither Timmy nor his human asked me to post about their Indiegogo campaign. In fact, I don’t even know them and they didn’t know I was posting about it. I just want to help them because I really believe in what they are doing.
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
Go Tiny Timmy! We hope he reaches his goal.
Good for Tiny Tim to do this project. That is just terrific. We hope they reach their goal too. Take care.
That is such a wonderful thing to do and sure is needed!
I hope they reach their goal! What a great product. We see far too many little kittens with fleas at the shelter!
Will share this and hope it helps them reach their goal!
Tiny Tim and his peep are very passionate about their cause and we send them good wishes
Hugs madi your bfff
Some of those over-the-counter flea products are terrible! I just thank God that someone warned me about them. I cannot believe they are still on the market. Good for Timmy’s human for providing an alternative. Unfortunately, I’m drowning in vet bills so I can’t contribute. 🙁 I hope they reach their goal, though.
that sounds like a great project – and something that we certainly hope gets fully funded!!
I will spread the word! It’s great that you are giving Tiny Timmy’s campaign some exposure, thank you!
We have similar problems with dubious flea products in the UK grr!
Luff
Mungo
Mungo it’s a problem everywhere. I use the statistics for the US because I have them. It would take considerable more effort, time & research to come up with all the data for all the countries that have issues (most of them). You have Bob Martin products and many are named differently there although they are the same products as we have here.
Timmy, I just mentioned the UK because I am here and not so many people are aware about the harmful products here. I think what you are doing is excellent, I’m not criticising you in any way. I also one measly mile away from the Bob Martin factory. I have visited them, written to them, spoken to workers there in the hope of at least creating a little bit of awareness that might filter upwards. But to no avail. Profit is all to them. Even staff in pet shops don’t always know about these products, and pet shop owners like profits. Vets I’ve spoken with about it often seem to be interested so that they can then flog the clients the prescription only spot on treatments, which in some cases have caused awful problems or been fatal 🙁
One of my first friends from YouTube was in Scotland & had an issue with Bob Martin. Poor kitty had major seizures daily. It was heartbreaking. Totally not taking it as a criticism. Often people think because they don’t live in the US that it isn’t a problem in their country. *headbonks* and Keep it up!
This is a real issue and I’m glad you talked about it. Last year we were gong to do a flea product giveaway but in researching it, we found out how horrible those products really are, so we turned it down.
See your mom soon, Sparkle, and we wish her a Bon Voyage! Thanks for Julie’s purrs too, it means a lot to have support.
Sparkle you are such a nice kitty to help spread the word
I really hope this works! I wish there was something 100% safe and effective with bathing. I do a combo of things on Merlin since he’s too old for topicals.
I hope they can reach their goal and help lots of pets. The cats before me used some of the those flea products. I’ve been following Tiny Timmy on FB and will be sharing his campaign.
Dat’s Pawsum Sparkle!! Mommy hates da poisons as much as wees du. Wees can’t help wiff da munnys, but wees shawin’ fuw suwe. 😀
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses ♥♥♥
Dezi
We do not use flea products as we are both indoor cats and have never had a flea enter the house on the humans shoes so we have been safe. I am reposting this on both my blog (I do not post on Tuesdays so hope I get some readers) and will share on FB and Tweet. I just do not have green papers to donate as I reserve my allowance for rescuing cats and woofies on death row. paw hugs, Savvy
I have shared like crazy, even the video from You TUbe. I cannot share/report your blog post as there is no option for reblogging on Word Press. Sorry
Thanks so much Savannah!!! *headbonks*
Sparkle – you are the power of the PAW and thanks a million for this!! Thank you for this – this is huge for Timmy and his Mum. We donated! We helped – NOW everyone else must too – DONATE guys!!
Harvey, Miranda and Silver
Thank you so much Harvey, Miranda & Silver!!! You have created a ripple that will soon become a WAVE of change!
We certainly hope they reach their goal! When I was little I was itchy and the vet told mommy and daddy to put flea stuff on me and it made me so sick! Mommy felt horrible about it and will never, ever put that other stuff on me again!
Purrs,
Angel
We remember Tiny Timmy’s blog from years and years ago. We read about his Dirty Flea Soap a few weeks back and put it on our FB page. We say GO TIMMY GO!!!
Thank you for sharing this story, Sparkle! We read Timmy’s story and were in disbelief at the stupidity and cruelty of some people. But we are glad to hear that Timmy is doing much better and that he now has a wonderful home to care for him. Natural treatments are something we feel very strongly about, so we will definitely spread the word and do what we can to help Timmy with his campaign!
Paws up to Tiny Timmy! The head peep’s first childhood cat was lost to the toxins in flea dip, many years ago, and cats like Tiny Timmy have a special place in her heart. We’re going to share your post in hope that it helps raise awareness of this important topic.
So sorry about your kitty. I am always at a loss for words. There is nothing that can dull the pain of loving pet owners who lose their pets this way.
Shared. I hope they reach their goal. I had a kitty many years ago that starting foaming at the mouth when I gave a flea bath. Luckily everything turned out ok. Sure scared me and never used anything like that again.
Sue so sorry for your experience, but glad in the end it turned out okay.
Sparkle! Dash clued me into your post. Thank you so very much for helping spread the word. If everyone gave $1 and left a comment on our project at IndieGoGo, we would be over our goal, so writing a wonderful post like this really helps get us there.
*headbonks*
Claudia & Timmy
O thank you for lending your paw of support to Tiny Timmy’s lifelong effort to replace those nasty anti-flea products!
I sure hope people will click on over to IndieGoGo!
😛
Woo-Hoo! Way to go, Sparkle–helping TT with his Dirty Flea Soap campaign! Pawsitively Pawsome!
Thanks so much for this nice post about Timmy and his Indigogo! You rock.
Thank you for sharing this story. It’s important to find an alternative method of flea control to keep our fur babies safe
😛 Timmy’s cause means the world to me. I had dogs have a bad reaction to the OTC products. I also lost my beloved rabbit, Blue, to these types of products many years ago. I’ve supported Timmy and his peep for years. Very passionate and committed. Thank you for covering this launch. This gives people a choice and does such good. I’m gonna love this product. And, how cool will it be to walk past the shelves and see the little soap that could competing with the big boys? Knowing I helped that happen is going to be awesome.
Me and my mom-person hope they reach their goal too !
Grreat that you help spread the word about TT and his Dirty Flea Soap campaign !!
XOXO
Wow! They’re doing good work!
Awesome article! Thank you so much for helping Timmy! We believe in him, and his wonderful (and safe!) flea soap!
Thank you so much for helping this worthy campaign. I’ve followed Timmy for a while now and have spoken several times to his mom, Claudia. He is such a trooper. And Claudia has done a huge job spreading the word. They’re trying to help all the pets. Let’s help them.
Have shared Sparkle,xx Speedy
Way to go, Sparkle, for talking about such an important issue!! <3 to Tiny Timmy!
Thank you so much for sharing this video and very important cause
We just read Timmy’s whole story on FB. We knew what had caused his problems but not the whole, heartbreaking story. We’re purring that they reach their goal.
The Florida Furkids
Thank you so much, Sparkle, for helping to get the word out about Timmy’s Dirty Flea Soap and the IndieGoGo campaign! 😉
Thanks Sparkle. We have been supporting Tiny Timmy and his campaign!
Thanks Timmy! I think everyone should be named Timmy, at least for one day a year. What do you think??