Happy Earth Day, planet lovers! If you have an animal companion, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to cut down on waste, raise your pet’s quality of life and color your corner of the world green. Here are some fun ways you can celebrate Earth Day with your pet:
Spring Cleaning: Empty out the dark corners of your closets, basement and attic, but before throwing your dusty treasures away, call your local shelters and ask if they need old towels, bedding, leashes, litter boxes and pet toys.
The Power of Poop: Scoop dog poop with biodegradable bags instead of plastic bags from the grocery store. If you’re a suburbanite (or an urbanite with a lawn), do some research on doggie septic systems—they help keep your lawn free of smelly surprises and break waste down into a liquid the ground can absorb.
Garden of Delights: If you have space, consider growing your own garden for your fruit- and veggie- loving reptiles and small mammals. Before using insecticides, research mulching and other gardening practices that can help reduce the amount of insecticides and herbicides you might need.
Spot On: Should your furry love leave a little dribble (or more) on the carpeting or floor, don’t reach for the bleach. Use vinegar instead. This environment-friendly liquid can act as an effective odor-remover and can kill mold and bacteria.
Cut Back: There are plenty of small ways to cut back on energy and materials. Instead of using a blow dryer to dry your freshly bathed pet, towel or air dry her. Walk your dog to the doggie park rather than driving there. Or cut down on paper products—clean up with rags or recycled paper towels.
Are you doing something special for Earth Day? Tell us about it in the comments!
