Earth Day inspiring you to make sustainable changes for your pet? Here are a few strategies that can help get you started!
Adopt Don’t Shop: Adopting from a shelter is about one of the greenest actions you can take. When you adopt, it’s kind of like recycling a pet! Do some research on shelters in your area that may have the ideal cat or dog for you.
Spay or Neuter Your Pets: In the U.S. alone, more than 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each day. Make sure to spay or neuter your dog or cat – it helps to reduce the number of animals that end up homeless or living in shelters.
For Non-Consumable Products, Buy Organic: Opt for organic bedding, and choose toys, leashes, harnesses, and collars made from natural materials that do not contain vinyl, phthalates, or BPA. Use eco-friendly, natural pet shampoos and cleaning products free from toxic chemicals whenever possible.
Choose Better Litter: Most cat lovers are not aware that traditional clay litters are usually made of sodium bentonite, a mineral that is strip-mined and not biodegradable. A 2017 report reveals that more than five billion pounds of sodium bentonite is mined each year just for cat litter, with the vast majority ending up in landfills—more than 125,000 truckloads each year. Consider switching to Catalyst if you haven’t already!
Give Away, Don’t Throw Away: Animal shelters can make great use of old items that your family is no longer using. In addition to unused food, many shelters welcome gently used towels, water dishes, leashes and collars, brushes and grooming tools, and beds.
Support Environmentally Conscious Manufacturers: Buy eco-friendly pet products, such as those made from recycled materials. The pet industry is responsible for around 300 million pounds of plastic waste per year in the U.S., according to an estimate from the Pet Sustainability Coalition, a respected non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more sustainable pet industry.
Recycle Plastics: Bring your household's plastic bags to a recycling center or grocery store with a recycling program. Instead of ending up in landfills, these collected plastics are upcycled into materials used for decking, park benches, playground sets, pallets and containers:
