I guess it’s never too late to get a clue. Awareness of environmental issues has been around for decades, but until recently the mainstream media relegated it to the fringe, treating environmentalists like whacked-out worriers.
Nowadays, thanks in large part to Al Gore’s inconvenient movie, An Inconvenient Truth, environmentalism is center stage – from green building incentives and plastic-bag bans to more R&D dollars for alternative fuels.
It’s the perfect time to ask: What is my dog’s impact on the environment and how can I reduce it?
“Fixing” Overpopulation
Just like with people, canine overpopulation can wreak havoc on the environment. Thanks to a decades-long campaign to promote the spaying and neutering of pets, a growing percentage of American households with dogs won’t be hearing the pitter-patter of little paws. There are still plenty of homeless dogs in the world, due to the irresponsible actions of humans, but the numbers are improving. To further this happy trend, adopt from a shelter rather than buying from a breeder, and be sure to spay or neuter your pet.
Feeding Green
Your food choices for Rover can make a big difference to his health and the health of the planet. Unless the product label includes terms like “food-grade meat,” the stuff is probably made from the gory by-products of slaughterhouses and pumped full of chemicals to mask off-odors and flavors. And as the recent pet food ban demonstrated, there could be additives in there that are actually hazardous to your dog’s health.
Some eco-advocates believe that the livestock industry is so hard on the environment, and so cruel to animals raised for food, that we should all avoid eating meat — or feeding it to our dogs. If you’d like to learn more about the vegetarian option, see www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=34.
Organic pet foods meet strict USDA standards that regulate how ingredients are produced and processed. To be certified organic, a food product may not contain pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or any artificial or genetically engineered ingredients.
And we don’t need to remind you to recycle all those cans, do we?
The Poop on Plastic
When it comes to plastic bags for picking up Fluffy’s poop, biodegradable is the way to go (check the Internet for suppliers).
Of course, once you have the poop picked up, there’s still a big problem. If that odiferous parcel goes in the garbage can it goes into the already bursting-at-the-seams landfill. So what are your options? Well, some clever folks have figured out how to compost dog poop in a way that neutralizes its toxins. The resulting material isn’t recommended for your vegetable garden, but the roses might love it. You enterprising types can learn how by visiting www.cityfarmer.org/petwaste.html.
The East Bay Municipal Utility District is launching a pilot program that will turn organic material, including fecal matter, into methane gas to meet energy needs. Let’s all keep our ears (and noses) tuned to more developments on that front.
Bow Wow Buys
These days, there’s a green version of just about every product for pets – from toys and treats to beds and bowls. Check out the options, but don’t believe everything you read. If the label says a product is earth friendly, but it’s packaged in enough plastic to choke a horse (or the local landfill), keep looking.
Give the planet a break by buying products made from recycled materials (the higher the “post-consumer” content the better) or sustainable fibers such as organic cotton or hemp. Recycled plastic is turning up in many pet products these days. Give their forward-thinking manufacturers a vote of confidence by buying them.
To cut down on the fossil fuel price tag of all your pet (and human) products, buy from local manufacturers whenever possible. Commercial trucking is a huge consumer of oil products and a major contributor to air pollution and global warming.
A Leash on Life
Let’s face it: dogs can be hard on landscapes and wildlife. According to The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2007-2008 survey of pet owners, there are almost 75 million pet dogs in the U.S. and that means plenty of canine wear-and-tear. Keep your dogs on leashes except in designated off-leash recreation areas to minimize their impact on delicate habitats that sustain other beings. When it comes to plant and animal species, diversity rocks.
Following these simple and practical suggestions can make life with your dog more healthy and sustainable. Commit yourself to going grrr-een and you and Rover can rest easy, knowing you’re part of the solution to the planet’s woes, not part of the problem.
Rosie Hughes is a dog- and Earth-loving freelance writer based in northern California.
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