EZComplete fur Cats: Inventory Status Update

Right to the point, the shortest possible version:  EZComplete fur Cats is in the last step prior to release for delivery. Our rep at the manufacturer “swears” we will have our product delivered by the end of this week (Friday, June 25). Given 2021 has been The Year of the Delay, Food Fur Life takes that to mean we will be back in stock sometime next week (Friday, July 2).

(Please note, we do not mean to be flippant, but laughter is an important tool in getting through trying times. We take the health and needs of your furry family members VERY seriously. That  is why we put the product on allocation for those kitties dependent on it, and provided resources to those who asked for alternatives to EZComplete while waiting for it to become available).

The longer version if you would like to know what happened.

As everyone is aware, 2020 and 2021 have seen covid-related supply chain problems in just about every industry. Reduced capacity, staff reductions, diminished shipping and freight capacity globally, new rules and restrictions, changes in processing of imports at borders – at every step there is the potential for impact. Covid-related supply chain problems have affected almost every company and every industry around the world. An Ernst & Young survey published in February found just 2% of respondents of the largest companies in a wide variety of industries report they were not affected.

The pet food industry is no exception. Shortages of any number of ingredients meant some foods were off the shelves for weeks to months. Shortages in packaging, whether bags, bottles or cans meant companies had to reduce production: some managed the problem by rotating flavors available in popular brands.
 
Food Fur Life was no exception. The new batch restock order was placed into a worldwide shortage of calcium. Our food grade eggshell ingredient is made in the U.S. with domestic shell, but eggshell is an easy replacement for calcium carbonate. Reduced production during the lockdown and high demand after meant a significant delay in delivery. Our manufacturer's strict quality controls means adding an alternate ingredient takes at least three months with audits and product testing. There was nothing to do but wait. And wait. Food Fur Life's eggshell finally arrived at the manufacturer - over two months later than our new batch normally would have been delivered to us.

The “back in stock” date turned out to be a moving target. And thus it is we are pleased to FINALLY report EZComplete fur Cats is near the end of the last step prior to release for delivery: post-production testing. Of course, as it turns out, the (third-party) lab is backed up.  Prior turnaround time was so reliable it was simply referred to as “the 5-day hold.” Ingredients are always ID and quality tested prior to production. Post-production testing is simply to ensure there was no contamination during production. (There never has been with strict controls in place during mixing and bagging). The manufacturer is certain testing results are imminent and we will have our new batch delivered this week. The bags are packed into cases, the cases are on pallets, ready and waiting for pick up on release of that data. BUT given 2021 is The Year of The Delay, Food Fur Life’s official expectation for delivery is next week (the week of June 28). There is no reason to expect further or even freight delay at this point. But there are 40 crossed paws by the “Food Fur Life” pets helping to make sure that is so.

We know this has been a long and frustrating process. We thank everyone for your support and understanding during these most extraordinary times.

When we have the actual delivery date scheduled (directly with the freight company) - typically two days in advance of delivery - we will mark EZComplete fur Cats back in stock and open the store to short-term pre-orders. (You place your orders ahead of the delivery normally through the store, they just can't ship until the day after delivery). ALL orders will be shipped the day after we receive delivery of EZComplete fur Cats. The website store will be back to business as usual, and there will be no restrictions on purchases.

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