Happy Earth Day 2016!
April 22nd is Earth Day 2016 and it happens once a year, but it’s meaning should be recognized every day.
But What Does It Mean For Our Pets?
There are many things that can be done on the individual level in regards to keeping Mother Nature healthy, and a lot can be done in regards to our pets. For Earth Day 2016 consider these many options.
Petcommunitycenter.org has compiled a great list on how to get started. This is their post from last year. We can apply these to our Earth Day 2016.
They wrote…
Take a Walk With Your Dog
What better way to commune with Mother Earth than by getting outside and surrouding yourself with nature. Take your dog to a dog park and let him roam free, or take a longer-than-usual walk around the neighborhood. Explore a new walking path or spend a few hours at a neighborhood park.
Buy Green
Do a little research to find and purchase eco-friendly pet products that are made by companies using sustainable practices and materials. This can go a long way to limit both your and your pet’s carbon footprint. Check out Nashville-based earthdog.com, makers of eco-friendly hemp collars, leashes, harnesses, beds and chew toys.
Make Spring Cleaning Count
Instead of throwing out those gently used pet toys, blankets, leashes and beds, donate them to a local shelter or to a family or older neighbor who might not be able to afford new items. Not only will you be helping our furry friends and fellow animal lovers, but you’ll be keeping those items from ending up in our landfills.
Spend Earth Day With Your Friends and Neighbors
You and your pets are invited to Centennial Park on Saturday, April 18, to celebrate Earth Day Nashville. There will be live music, a beer garden, and a reuse arts and crafts village, sponsored by Turnip Green Creative Reuse. This year’s festival will help the community take another step toward Mayor Karl Dean’s goal of making Nashville the greenest city in the Southeast.
Read All About It
For more Earth Day ideas, check out the annual Green Issue of Nashville Paw magazine. You’ll find directions for creating an eco- and dog-friendly backyard retreat as well as a list of dog-friendly adventures in and around Nashville that will help you explore the city’s greener side.
We Can Also…
Follow these wonderful ideas for Earth Day 2016 from adoptapet.com. They wrote these ideas a few years ago and each one still holds true to this day.
They wrote…
Earth Day 2012 is April 22 and will be on that day for the next 22 years. Every year more and more events are held on Earth Day worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment. So what can you do if you’re a pet lover to enjoy Earth Day and reduce your pet’s pawprint? Your pets can have a huge impact on the environment, and aside from buying natural and recycled products for them, and shopping at a shelter or rescue’s thrift store, below are four ideas I have for easy ways you can help lessen the negative impact your pets can have on our planet. You can use these not just on Earth Day, but every day!
1. Pick up after your dog
Dog poop pollutes if it is not picked up & properly processed.
Make sure to use biodegradable pick-up bags.
Take it up a notch: Install a dog-waste mini septic tank.
2. Pick up after your cat
Scoop into paper lunch bags or biodegradable dog pickup bags.
Use a recycled, biodegradable cat litter: my favorite is Yesterdays News from Purina. (Available at PetSmart and online.)
3. Protect wildlife from your pet
Keep your cat indoors, on a harness, or in a catio.
If you hike with your dog off-leash, train him to come when called, even if he sees a rabbit or squirrel.
4. Adopt a “recycled” pet!
Pets at shelters and rescues can become your recycled pet! Someone careless may have thrown away their pet, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable or wonderful as your “new” family friend.
And…
It all comes down to the idea that what we can do for ourselves we can do for out pets.
Biodegradable poop bags? CHECK.
Reusable Tote Bags for purchases for our furry family members? CHECK.
Being out in Nature? Walks in the Park? Exercise outside? CHECK.
Grain Free Food = Less Poop? Yes! That is an option!
Eco-Friendly toys? Yes! Those too!
Did You Know?
For Earth Day 2016, think outside the box. Some urban areas allow pets on public transportation.
There is some much we can do to aid in keeping Mother Nature happy and healthy. Click Here for internet search results on what more we can do as Earth Day 2016 approaches.
What are your ideas?
Share below.