Living in the Bay Area, you may have taken some big steps to reduce your carbon footprint - like driving a hybrid, installing solar panels in your home, using compact fluorescent bulbs in your workspace or growing organic veggies in your backyard. But, did you know that there are plenty of actions you can take to show your four-legged companions that you care about the environment? After all, it's their planet, too!
Reduce. It might seem obvious, but buying pet food and other pet products in bulk saves you extra trips to the store and avoids needless plastic packaging or cardboard boxes that end up in the local landfill anyway. Reducing shouldn't end there, though. As Bob Barker always said, "Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered." Every year, millions of cats and dogs are euthanized around the world. This is the devastating reality, but it's also avoidable. Having your pet spayed or neutered not only curbs its aggressiveness once it reaches maturity, it is the best way to avoid sending an unwanted puppy or kitten to the local shelter, many of which are never adopted.
Reuse. Why buy plastic toys (many of which are laden with chemicals) when you can find common household items for your pets to play with? If you've ever seen a cat with a new cardboard box, you know that it doesn't take something with a $10 price tag to entertain an animal for hours!
Recycle. When shopping for your pet, look for items that use the most recycled materials. Many companies now offer products made from natural fibers, such as hemp or organic cotton, and some are even packaged in Earth-friendly materials like biodegradable cardboard or recycled paper (the higher the percentage of "post-consumer" materials, the better). Buying these products supports environmentally-aware manufacturers, encouraging more companies to move towards sustainable packaging and natural pet products.
Donate print newspapers, towels, toys and supplies to local rescue organizations. Instead of throwing away any extra supplies you may not need, donating them can go a long way - just ask our shelter animals! Our hospital and shelter lobbies have an in-kind donation bin that is available for drop-offs every day during business hours.
Adopt a pet. This may be a strange way of looking at it, but adopting a dog or a cat is the ultimate way to recycle. Not only will you get a loveable best friend that cares for you, but you free up a spot for another homeless pet looking for their forever home. Visit our virtual Adoption Center to meet our shelter dogs and cats that are waiting for their new families.