Going Green is for the Birds…and Dogs and Cats Too

April 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Earth Day has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability for more than 40 years. In honor of Earth Day, Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, offers pet owners four ways to help reduce their pets’ carbon paw prints.

1. Go Green to Clean. Conventional household cleaners can be toxic. Green cleaning products may be a better option because they are nontoxic, biodegradable and made from renewable resources. And today they are easier to find – and more reasonably priced – than ever before.  Oftentimes, PSI members recommend home-mixed cleaners, specifically baking soda and vinegar, to clean up after the pets they care for.

2. The Scoop on Poop. Everyone poops, pets included. If you aren’t among the one percent of the global population who has a toilet-trained dog or cat, chances are you need to dispose of your pet’s waste on a continual basis. No matter what type of pet you own, consider using biodegradable bags instead of polyethylene-based plastic bags to dispose of pet waste. Plastic bags do not break down and will sit in a landfill unaffected for years. Properly disposing of your pet’s waste also helps keep runoff water clean.

There are also eco-safe, biodegradable alternatives to clay cat litter. Clay litter is obtained through strip mining. It does not break down naturally and leaves landfills full of soiled cat litter.

3. One Man’s Trash is His Best Friend’s Treasure. Look for pet products made from recycled materials. Did you know that Americans consume more than 70 million plastic bottles of water a day? One green pet-product company turns those plastic water bottles into pet beds and pillows, while another one creates durable and non-toxic pet toys out of recycled materials.

Additionally, more and more pet-product companies are using recycled and all-natural products to make leashes, collars, harnesses, bedding, toys and pet clothing. Hemp and soybean fiber are great alternatives to cotton and cotton-based products.

4. Spay and Neuter. Make sure you spay or neuter your pet. It’s no secret that animal shelters everywhere are overwhelmed by the demands for their services and resources that come from unwanted pets. The collective care of shelter animals puts an additional strain on natural resources. The ASPCA estimates that 3-4 million homeless cats and dogs are euthanized annually. Not only do dogs and cats live longer and healthier lives, but spaying and neutering also helps ensure that fewer unwanted animals are born.

For more information about PSI or to locate a professional pet sitter in your area, please visit http://www.petsit.com.

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About Pet Sitters International
Established in 1994, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, representing more than 7,500 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad. PSI provides members with access to affordable bonding and liability insurance and educational resources including a comprehensive Certification Program, The Pet Sitter’s WORLD magazine and PSI’s annual Quest convention. For more information, visit www.petsit.com, home of the Official Pet Sitter Locator™, or visit the PSIStoreOnline, the largest specialty retailer of products for pet sitters and pet-sitter business owners.