Julie Thomas had been working for LaSalle Bank for ten years when she got her final assignment. She was transferred to Chicago to sell the bank-essentially, to sell herself out of a job.

In that situation, most people of Thomas’ ilk would have begun the search for another corporate career. But with new-found freedom and a little extra cash, Thomas took a different route. She decided to follow her idiosyncratic dream– to start an eco-friendly doggy daycare. Earth Pups was born.

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Within a matter of months, activists have succeeded in changing a store from a puppy mill vendor to an animal rescue venture.

A pet store in the small town of Elyria, Ohio was the target of intense protests by animal rights activists for months before deciding to close down. Now, a new owner is opening a pet store in the same location that will only have rescued cats and dogs available for adoption.

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Our hunt for an alternative cat litter began when our vet said that clay litter was a respiratory irritant. The more we researched cat litter, the more we learned that clay wasn’t just bad for our sweet kitties, it was bad for the planet. Clay, which makes up about 90% of the cat litters on the market, does not biodegrade. On top of that, much of the clay used in cat litter comes from strip mining. Yikes! Luckily there are all sorts of good options out there!

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The Animal Legal Defense Fund is celebrating their annual Justice For Animals Week by asking people to partake in a new, specific action for animals every day this week.

For the first day, they’re asking people to help spread the word by telling friends on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere to visit their site to partake in the next six actions. But most importantly, the organization says they hope to add 10,000 signatures to the Animal Bill of Rights during this week alone.

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City officials in Houston, Texas have fired a veterinarian who has acted as a whistle-blower against botched and cruel operations on pets in the past.

But Kathy Barton, a health department spokesperson, said Gil Costas has been fired because he failed to file registration to handle controlled substances and drugs with the Department of Public Safety for his secondary, part-time job at the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care.

He held the certification for his primary job, which in the past has been sufficient — leading Costas to accuse the department of firing him because of his loud mouth.

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West Paw Deisgn, is creating durable products for pets from environmentally sustainable manufacturing materials and processes.

I’ve gotten cool pet products before, but as soon as I opened these, I saw that one was for Woody (the golden retriever boy), and one was for Spooky (cool black cat). It took them all of 30 seconds to get into action . . .

I’m sure there is catnip in this one!

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Conservationists have brought in two Maremmas sheepdogs to watch over a small colony of fairy penguins on Australia’s Middle Island. The effort has been so successful that Middle Island is recommending sheepdogs be used to protect other endangered species across the globe.

“We are now starting to see some great results,” said Middle Island Maremma Project manager Ian Fitzgibbons. “We have had our best penguin count since we began in 2006 with over 80 birds counted in one night and I think we have about 26 chicks on the island too.”

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There are few places in the world that have not been touched in some way by the faltering global economy. A tragic side effect of this phenomenon is the increase in abandoned pets and the resulting stress it continues to place on the shelters trying to care for them.

As someone who lives in a home filled with animals it’s hard to imagine any circumstance in which I would give them up: their care is my top priority. Perhaps if circumstances became so dire that I could not afford to feed them or provide them with adequate medical care, I could see how one might have to come to such a heartbreaking decision.

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Feral cat populations are increasing dramatically worldwide as climate change causes warm breeding seasons to stretch into winter months.

Australia, the world’s Petri dish for the impacts of global warming, is reporting a rapid increase; in Melbourne alone the count of stray cats has increased to over 500,000, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is becoming concerned. “Warmer weather is improving breeding conditions, extending breeding seasons and reducing the natural attrition rate, resulting in thousands more kittens being born into lives of disease, neglect and starvation,” said spokesperson Andrew Foran.

Shelters across the United States have found a similar problem. For example, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society took in 672 kittens in February 2007, but in February this year the facility received 1,008. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency backs up these numbers on their website, saying that small mammals are breeding earlier due to warmer temperatures.

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I was quite surprised to read earlier today, that among all of the possibilities, a neighborhood in Lima has taken a stand on the issue of noisy, barking, scurrying, dogs. Who would have thought that noise pollution caused by dogs would get a group of Lima citizens up in arms?

Without a doubt, the level of noise pollution in Lima is tremendously high. When combining the cacaphony of sounds that arise from traffic, parties, animals, and so on, you will be hard pressed to find Lima residents who at some point have not been annoyed by the constant tapping of their ear drums. For this reason, I think there is merit in passing a law that attempts to limit noise pollution in Lima. Whether or not targeting the population of dogs as a method to control noise is the right way to do it– I’m not sure.

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Several days ago, I read a story about how Peru’s butterfly exports had increased 43% from January-April of this year. These are the butterflies that are pinned into glass frames for sale as gifts and souvenirs. I wondered if all of these butterflies included those that are exported illegally and those that are endangered. Questions of this kind were on my mind as just several days earlier my family had passed by a street vendor who sold animals illegally.

One of the animals was a baby monkey, caged and frightened. We live in the highlands region of Peru, so the monkey was far from its former home in the rainforest. My wife, who in the past worked as a biologist throughout Peru, told me that she thought this was an endangered monkey. As we walked home, I wished I had brought my camera. This I thought, is a story that needs to be pursued.

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But what makes this company truly stand out is the packaging! See, when you purchase a Kee-Ka item it comes housed in this nifty little brown box crafted of recycled paper that is ready to be mailed in three simple steps. No digging for wrapping paper, no searching for tape, no “This looks like my kid wrapped it” thoughts. Nada.

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Contributions from environmental science and public-health experts such as Dr. Phil Landrigan, Dr. Harvey Karp and Dr. Alan Greene (as well as from celebrity parents such as Meryl Streep, Sheryl Crow, Gwenyth Paltrow, Tom Hanks, and Kate Hudson) make for a variety of insightful information.

The 336-page, hardcover book is available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. For more info, check out healthychild.org/book.

Difficult Choices

The commitment meant many difficult decisions and careful calculations throughout the two-year construction process of Earth Pups. When Thomas had to stray from her green business ideas, she agonized. After three months of considering all options, Thomas finally resigned herself to using PVC in one area of the dog’s playpen-the biodegradable option would have to be replaced every few years as it wouldn’t stand up to the dogs hard use. When it was feasible, however, she did it-even when it meant having items custom made or special ordered. For example, the paneling was one custom made item that Thomas had adapted to her need for a protective covering from sharp little claws. However, even when she found a green company to order from, she discovered it only came in black.

“So, the question was-what goes with black?” she said.

Thomas also loves owning her own business because it lets her decide exactly what she wants to do in the community.

“There is no red tape,” she said.

Many years ago, she rescued her own dogs with the help of a local agency. Now, she welcomes dogs from neighboring canine rescue into her building for socialization workshops.

Earth Pups has been open for thirteen, short weeks.  Thomas excuses herself for the hair on her shirt and several months without sleep, but she is all smiles. “It feels good to watch a baby grow,” she says, looking at the 17 dogs playing in the yard with staff. One day, she hopes to have up to 30 dogs, but this is a good start.

One of her own two dogs plays alongside the others.  The other one-black and curly haired- is curled in a staff member’s lap.  She smiles at them, then ducks so they don’t see her. Her standards for their care are even higher than her green standards. And she built her business to please herself.

“It’s a place I’d leave my babies,” she says. “You can’t sell something you don’t care about.”

Image source: sarah m scott at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

kyknoord at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Behold Gallus Domesticus, the backyard chicken and latest slow food phenomenon. Traumatized by images of chicken warehouses, disgusted by food recalls and perhaps even longing for animal companionship, urban dwellers are becoming enthusiastic chicken owners. Urban Chickens is their gathering place, Backyard Poultry their manifesto and Mad City Chicken their rallying cry. But just where does one procure a baby chicken? How many eggs can a person expect? And what level of companionship are we talking here? All this and more after the jump.

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California based Skooperbox apparently spent a couple of years trying to find a green way of dealing with dog mess.

Skooperboxes are small, pop-open boxes made from 100 percent recycled materials. Complete with lid and a scraper, each Skooperbox apparently makes it quick and tidy to clean up your dog’s mess. The boxes are available in two sizes (not sure if one is big enough for a horse though - if not they should think of that…), and are completely biodegradable in a “few days” (more realistically less than a month, but much much quicker than plastic bags!).

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In her article on greening pets, GO’s Kelli Best-Oliver suggests a wheat based litter Swheat Scoop.

Tip mavens over at Ideal Bite suggest the following natural litters: Corn-based One Earth Cat Litter, and World’s Best Cat Litter; Yesterday’s News, pellets made of recycled newspaper; and Feline Pine made from reclaimed sawdust pellets.

If your cat is having problems getting used to the new stuff, try working in a little bit each week with until you’ve completely switched over. And if you’re not composting, throw out the litter in paper bags instead of plastic bags.

Amy says: I don’t have cats but I do a lot of cat sitting and cleaning the litter box is part of the duty. With each scoop into the clay based litter, I try not to breathe in. Next time I might try leaving a bag of the natural variety for the cat owner to try out.

For more on natural kitty litter:

Ideal Bite - What sort of legacy is your kitty leaving behind?

Care 2 Green Living - Eco-Friendly Kitty Litter

Care 2 Green Living - The Dangers of Clumping Cat Litter

Related articles from GO:

Green Pets: A Quick Overview

GNMParents: Greenish Pets

Green Pet Care: Toxic Medications?

Lighter Footstep: Why You Shouldn’t Use Dryer Sheets to Control Pet Hair

Daily: The Doggie Bag

Difficult Choices

The commitment meant many difficult decisions and careful calculations throughout the two-year construction process of Earth Pups. When Thomas had to stray from her green business ideas, she agonized. After three months of considering all options, Thomas finally resigned herself to using PVC in one area of the dog’s playpen-the biodegradable option would have to be replaced every few years as it wouldn’t stand up to the dogs hard use. When it was feasible, however, she did it-even when it meant having items custom made or special ordered. For example, the paneling was one custom made item that Thomas had adapted to her need for a protective covering from sharp little claws. However, even when she found a green company to order from, she discovered it only came in black.

“So, the question was-what goes with black?” she said.

Thomas also loves owning her own business because it lets her decide exactly what she wants to do in the community.

“There is no red tape,” she said.

Many years ago, she rescued her own dogs with the help of a local agency. Now, she welcomes dogs from neighboring canine rescue into her building for socialization workshops.

Earth Pups has been open for thirteen, short weeks.  Thomas excuses herself for the hair on her shirt and several months without sleep, but she is all smiles. “It feels good to watch a baby grow,” she says, looking at the 17 dogs playing in the yard with staff. One day, she hopes to have up to 30 dogs, but this is a good start.

One of her own two dogs plays alongside the others.  The other one-black and curly haired- is curled in a staff member’s lap.  She smiles at them, then ducks so they don’t see her. Her standards for their care are even higher than her green standards. And she built her business to please herself.

“It’s a place I’d leave my babies,” she says. “You can’t sell something you don’t care about.”

Image source: sarah m scott at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

kyknoord at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Leaving dog-doo on the ground is a big no-no, especially if you live within the vicinity of others. Aside from the courtesy factor, left behind 'gifts' can cause the spread of diseases and bacteria including tapeworm, roundworm, cryptosporidium, and e.coli. These can be transferred by the accidental step-and-bring-inside method, or it can be dispersed by rainfall when animal waste gets carried into drainage systems that go directly into our waterways. Feces also draws flies, which can spread other types of diseases. (Next time that fly is buzzing around your kitchen think where it may have been.)

Many people use plastic bags to pick up dog waste. It is an easy, no direct contact way to do it. However, whether they're from the grocery store or wrapped around the daily paper, plastic bags are still petroleum derived plastic and will hang out for a long time in the landfill. Choose biodegradable poop bags. You'll get the same features as conventional plastic, but the biodegradable bags will break down in a matter of months rather than a few hundred years.

Or instead of tossing your pet's waste into the garbage, you could compost it. Of course, it is a good idea to create a separate compost pile for dog waste, especially if you use your every day compost on your veggie garden. If you have the space, it is as easy as making a few modifications to a metal garbage can and burying it in your yard.

Want to put that poo to good use? See if you can get your city on board by converting dog waste into power. San Fancisco is currently experimenting with this solution.

Amy says: I'm currently without a dog, but if I had one I know I'd opt for the biodegradable bags.

More from GO:

Green Pets: A Quick Overview

Have a tip for Amy and Jennifer? We'd love to hear about it.

Difficult Choices

The commitment meant many difficult decisions and careful calculations throughout the two-year construction process of Earth Pups. When Thomas had to stray from her green business ideas, she agonized. After three months of considering all options, Thomas finally resigned herself to using PVC in one area of the dog’s playpen-the biodegradable option would have to be replaced every few years as it wouldn’t stand up to the dogs hard use. When it was feasible, however, she did it-even when it meant having items custom made or special ordered. For example, the paneling was one custom made item that Thomas had adapted to her need for a protective covering from sharp little claws. However, even when she found a green company to order from, she discovered it only came in black.

“So, the question was-what goes with black?” she said.

Thomas also loves owning her own business because it lets her decide exactly what she wants to do in the community.

“There is no red tape,” she said.

Many years ago, she rescued her own dogs with the help of a local agency. Now, she welcomes dogs from neighboring canine rescue into her building for socialization workshops.

Earth Pups has been open for thirteen, short weeks.  Thomas excuses herself for the hair on her shirt and several months without sleep, but she is all smiles. “It feels good to watch a baby grow,” she says, looking at the 17 dogs playing in the yard with staff. One day, she hopes to have up to 30 dogs, but this is a good start.

One of her own two dogs plays alongside the others.  The other one-black and curly haired- is curled in a staff member’s lap.  She smiles at them, then ducks so they don’t see her. Her standards for their care are even higher than her green standards. And she built her business to please herself.

“It’s a place I’d leave my babies,” she says. “You can’t sell something you don’t care about.”

Image source: sarah m scott at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

kyknoord at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Well-meaning pet owners are using dryer sheets to control pet hair. Is this such a good idea?

We love our pets — and they love us. Which is the main reason dog and cat dander seems to get everywhere: on the sofa, your clothes, and your carpet. Your furry companion loves to sit wherever you do.

There's a tip making the rounds these days: use a dryer sheet to repel pet fur. And it seems to work. Dryer sheets cut down on static, which is what makes fur cling to fabric surfaces. Some owners even use dryer sheets directly on their animals to reduce the static buildup which accompanies thunderstorms and alarms jittery pets.

But is this safe?

First, hats off to Bounce for their truly generous support of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As part of their Bounce Everywhere campaign, they've donated $10,000 to the ASPCA. It's part of a bid to promote dryer sheet usage by pet owners that goes by the slogan, "Share the love, not the hair!"

Dryer sheets repel static and smell so darn good because they're full of chemicals. Formulas vary from product to product, but your favorite fabric softener or dryer sheet (not necessarily Bounce) might contain such unpleasant substances as benzyl acetate, camphor, or even chloroform.

Possible health risks

None of this stuff is good for humans, and the same is true for pets. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that cationic detergents, which are present in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, can cause a variety of problems for animals ranging from minor irritation to widespread systemic distress and pulmonary edema. Bounce's own product literature cautions pet owners to keep dryer sheets away from animals to avoid accidental ingestion.

Animals lick their fur and the areas on which they rest, so using dryer sheets to repel dander may needlessly expose Fluffy or Fido to health risks. The danger is increased when pets are allowed to use sheets as toys — and cats, in particular, just love them. Some owners have reported kidney failure in animals which have ingested dryer sheets.

A better way

Want to keep pet fur at bay — the safe and natural way? Brush your animal companion daily. A stiff brush or rubber squeegee will make quick work of any hair which gets on furniture. Use a lint brush or length of masking tape to remove danger from clothing.

A few minutes of extra work means fewer chemicals in the lives of you and your pet. Take a little extra time with your cat or dog — and show you care.

—
Copyright © 2007 Lighter Footstep Media

Difficult Choices

The commitment meant many difficult decisions and careful calculations throughout the two-year construction process of Earth Pups. When Thomas had to stray from her green business ideas, she agonized. After three months of considering all options, Thomas finally resigned herself to using PVC in one area of the dog’s playpen-the biodegradable option would have to be replaced every few years as it wouldn’t stand up to the dogs hard use. When it was feasible, however, she did it-even when it meant having items custom made or special ordered. For example, the paneling was one custom made item that Thomas had adapted to her need for a protective covering from sharp little claws. However, even when she found a green company to order from, she discovered it only came in black.

“So, the question was-what goes with black?” she said.

Thomas also loves owning her own business because it lets her decide exactly what she wants to do in the community.

“There is no red tape,” she said.

Many years ago, she rescued her own dogs with the help of a local agency. Now, she welcomes dogs from neighboring canine rescue into her building for socialization workshops.

Earth Pups has been open for thirteen, short weeks.  Thomas excuses herself for the hair on her shirt and several months without sleep, but she is all smiles. “It feels good to watch a baby grow,” she says, looking at the 17 dogs playing in the yard with staff. One day, she hopes to have up to 30 dogs, but this is a good start.

One of her own two dogs plays alongside the others.  The other one-black and curly haired- is curled in a staff member’s lap.  She smiles at them, then ducks so they don’t see her. Her standards for their care are even higher than her green standards. And she built her business to please herself.

“It’s a place I’d leave my babies,” she says. “You can’t sell something you don’t care about.”

Image source: sarah m scott at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

kyknoord at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Editor's note: Pets are on everyone's minds, it seems! Today, GNMParents writer Heike Boehmke-Sharp adds to the discussion with her ideas on buying pet food and waste disposal bags. Don't forget to take a look at Jennifer's contribution at GNMParents.

Pets are a man’s best friend! They can be “green” too :)…

I have a 17 year old Husky/Shepard mix, and recently we adopted a new “little” Shepard puppy into our lives. Due the sensitive skin of our Husky, I have always been aware of what kind of food I feed him. Given the recent pet food scare, I am no longer the only person reading pet food labels in the store.

You may think by buying the more expensive brands you are doing your pet a favor. The recent pet food contamination put that myth to rest. Even some of the expensive brands put unfavorable ingredients in their mix. Ingredients you want to steer away from are: animal digets, animal render, or anything with “parts” attached. There are some great brands out there that only use real ingredients and no animal left overs or slush in their food. We have recently switched to “BLUE” (BlueBuff.com), and both my senior and my puppy love it. I only feed dry dog food. Another bonus of good food that is not enhanced wth fillers is “little poops” :)…You can also make your own dog food in a slow cooker. Depending on preference you can cook beef, lamb, or chicken. Add rice, or barley and veggies. If you have a good butcher, you can ask them to save you the waste cuts to mix with a regular cut of meat. One pot is good for about 2 days.

There are also natural treats that do not contain unwelcome by-product. You can get them at doggie bakeries, and Newman’s Own also makes wonderful doggie treats that are affordable. My dogs both like carrots and veggies, so we give them those as treats :).

The other end of the spectrum is doggie bags. We used to save our grocery bags and use them for pooper scooping. Now that we shop with our fabric bags, what’s a girl to do? We use biodegradable waste bags for on the road, and garbage bags at home. I am researching investing into a Doggie Dooley , a type of septic system for my back yard. It breaks everything down with a nontoxic, natural enzyme.

Some more resource for “green pet care”:

• Mountain Rose Herbs I love company for their herbs & spices, but I am impressed with their pet care. Natural flea shampoo, collars, hot spot spray, Tranquality blend…and more. All natural…safe for my senior and my puppy! Oh, and my kids!!
• HomeVet
• Pilgrim's Natural Pet Care (nutrition and raw foods — UK)
• The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care

Difficult Choices

The commitment meant many difficult decisions and careful calculations throughout the two-year construction process of Earth Pups. When Thomas had to stray from her green business ideas, she agonized. After three months of considering all options, Thomas finally resigned herself to using PVC in one area of the dog’s playpen-the biodegradable option would have to be replaced every few years as it wouldn’t stand up to the dogs hard use. When it was feasible, however, she did it-even when it meant having items custom made or special ordered. For example, the paneling was one custom made item that Thomas had adapted to her need for a protective covering from sharp little claws. However, even when she found a green company to order from, she discovered it only came in black.

“So, the question was-what goes with black?” she said.

Thomas also loves owning her own business because it lets her decide exactly what she wants to do in the community.

“There is no red tape,” she said.

Many years ago, she rescued her own dogs with the help of a local agency. Now, she welcomes dogs from neighboring canine rescue into her building for socialization workshops.

Earth Pups has been open for thirteen, short weeks.  Thomas excuses herself for the hair on her shirt and several months without sleep, but she is all smiles. “It feels good to watch a baby grow,” she says, looking at the 17 dogs playing in the yard with staff. One day, she hopes to have up to 30 dogs, but this is a good start.

One of her own two dogs plays alongside the others.  The other one-black and curly haired- is curled in a staff member’s lap.  She smiles at them, then ducks so they don’t see her. Her standards for their care are even higher than her green standards. And she built her business to please herself.

“It’s a place I’d leave my babies,” she says. “You can’t sell something you don’t care about.”

Image source: sarah m scott at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

kyknoord at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Upon further investigation, it turns out that the EPA didn't even regulate over-the-counter pet products such as these until 1996, and was still phasing out pet products containing certain chemicals as late as last year.

In fact, the Humane Society issued a warning about flea/tick medications, and the Natural Resources Defense Council released a report in 2000 titled Poisons on Pets: Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products which linked these chemicals found in flea/tick medications to serious health problems in both pets and humans. The main offenders are organophosphate insecticides and carbamates, which interfere with nerve signals in the body. Though meant to work on insects, they can have similar effects on the nervous systems of pets and humans, particularly children because of their developing nervous system. There is also ample evidence to suggest that long-term exposure to products containing such chemicals can produce serious health problems, such as later-in-life cancer and Parkinson's, in children who were exposed at an early age. Kittens and cats are also particularly vulnerable when exposed to OTC products for dogs.

This doesn't mean that all flea/tick medications are dangerous: this mainly applies to older brands of OTC medications. Avoid products that list chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon, malathion, carbaryl, or propoxur in their active ingredients. Take the safe route and always get your pet's medication from your vet–it's not worth the few bucks you'd save by buying products over the counter. There are also safe non-pesticide methods to flea/tick control, including using flea combs, regular shampooing, increased vaccuming/sweeping, and keeping pets inside, but again, talk to your vet about what is best for your pet.

Difficult Choices

The commitment meant many difficult decisions and careful calculations throughout the two-year construction process of Earth Pups. When Thomas had to stray from her green business ideas, she agonized. After three months of considering all options, Thomas finally resigned herself to using PVC in one area of the dog’s playpen-the biodegradable option would have to be replaced every few years as it wouldn’t stand up to the dogs hard use. When it was feasible, however, she did it-even when it meant having items custom made or special ordered. For example, the paneling was one custom made item that Thomas had adapted to her need for a protective covering from sharp little claws. However, even when she found a green company to order from, she discovered it only came in black.

“So, the question was-what goes with black?” she said.

Thomas also loves owning her own business because it lets her decide exactly what she wants to do in the community.

“There is no red tape,” she said.

Many years ago, she rescued her own dogs with the help of a local agency. Now, she welcomes dogs from neighboring canine rescue into her building for socialization workshops.

Earth Pups has been open for thirteen, short weeks.  Thomas excuses herself for the hair on her shirt and several months without sleep, but she is all smiles. “It feels good to watch a baby grow,” she says, looking at the 17 dogs playing in the yard with staff. One day, she hopes to have up to 30 dogs, but this is a good start.

One of her own two dogs plays alongside the others.  The other one-black and curly haired- is curled in a staff member’s lap.  She smiles at them, then ducks so they don’t see her. Her standards for their care are even higher than her green standards. And she built her business to please herself.

“It’s a place I’d leave my babies,” she says. “You can’t sell something you don’t care about.”

Image source: sarah m scott at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

kyknoord at Flickr under a Creative Commons license