Pets and the Planet , livre ebook

Pets and the Planet
Pets and the Planet
A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care
Carol Frischmann
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright 2009 by Carol Frischmann. All rights reserved.
Howell Book House
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Frischmann, Carol.
Pets and the planet : a practical guide to sustainable pet care / Carol Frischmann.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-27573-3
ISBN-10: 0-470-27573-1
1. Pets-Environmental aspects. 2. Environmental protection-Citizen participation. I. Title.
SF413.F75 2009
636.088 7-dc22
2008046701
Printed in the United States of America
11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
First Edition
Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services

The cover of this book is printed on recycled stock containing 10% post-consumer waste. The interior is printed on recycled paper containing 30% post-consumer waste.
To my sister, Suzanne Frischmann, for her deep compassion for the planet s creatures
To my friend Nancy Boutin, for her sustained support
To my mentor, the late Al McNabney, for his evergreen optimism and energy
Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

How Do Pets Affect the Environment?

Why Pet Impact Matters

What Is Sustainable Pet Care?

What Does Green Mean?

Caution: The Green Claim

What Is Your Sustainability Score?

Chapter 2

Choosing the Right Pet for You

Why Pet Choice Matters

Exotic Pets: A Special Concern

The Consequences of Not Thinking through Your Pet Decision

The Impact of Releasing Unwanted Pets

A Pet Type for Your Environmental Ethic

How to Experience Pets without Having One

Sources of Pets

My Sustainability Plan: Acting on Pet Choices

Resources

Chapter 3

Choosing Green Pet Food

Why Green Pet Food Matters

How Feeding Pets Affects Our Environment

Thinking about Your Pet s Diet

Selecting Diets That Deliver

Why Are Labels So Confusing?

Pet Food and the Planet: Our Future

My Sustainability Plan: Choosing Green Pet Food

Resources

Chapter 4

Green Pet Equipment and Toys

What Does My Pet Really Need? The Stuff of Everyday Life

Where to Shop

Home Modifications for Pets

Cars and Pets

Public Transportation and Pets

Pets and the Public

Green Exercise for Your Dog

Planet-Friendly Pet Equipment and the Future

My Sustainability Plan: Choosing Green Pet Equipment and Toys

Resources

Chapter 5

Managing Pet Waste Responsibly

Facts and Figures

The Dangers of Pet Waste

Practicing Responsible Pet Waste Management

Dealing with Cat Waste

Bagging It Up

My Sustainability Plan: Responsible Pet Waste Disposal

Resources

Chapter 6

Pets and Household Health

Why Pets Matter to Your Health

The Disease-Household Connection

Can West Nile or Avian Flu Affect My Pets?

Keeping Your Pet-Filled Home Healthy

Removing Household Toxins

Preventing Flea and Tick Problems

My Sustainabililty Plan: Pets and Household Health

Resources

Chapter 7

Pets and Ecologically Sensitive Pet Services

Why Pets Services Matter

Elements of an Eco-Friendly Pet Service Business

Using Pet Services for a Better Environment

My Sustainability Plan: Ecologically Sensitive Pet Services

Resources

Chapter 8

Pets and Community Ecology

Community Ecology Never Envisioned Pets

New Laws Suggest Communities Concerns

Pet Overpopulation: A $2.8 Billion Problem

Pets and Community Ecology: The Future

My Sustainability Plan: Acting on Pets and Community Ecology

Resources

Chapter 9

Twenty-First-Century Issues for Pets and Sustainability

Attitudes about Animals Are Changing

Vegetarianism: A Choice for Ecology

Solving Sustainability Problems

Economic Forces as Motivators

Home, Polls, and Offsets

Take Action!

My Sustainability Plan: Twenty-First Century Issues for Pets and Sustainability

Resources

Nutritional Requirements

Resources

Bibliography

Index
Acknowledgments
Listing everyone who contributed to the writing of Pets and the Planet without leaving important people out seems impossible, but I must try.
Thank you, Kate Epstein, for your support and encouragement before, during, and after the writing. To my editors at Wiley-Pam Mourouzis, who championed this project, and Mike Thomas, who edited with insight-you have my gratitude.
The Multnomah County Library, especially librarians at the Hillsdale Branch and those answering the Central Library Reference Line, made finding reference material a pleasure.
Many people provided information and perspective on the topics covered in Pets and the Planet . To each of you, thank you.

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), John Tait, DVM, 2009 President; Jason Merrihew, spokesperson

American Pet Products Association (APPA), Leah Nelson, Tierra Griffiths, spokespeople

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Robert Baker ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Investigator; Amy Geduldig, spokesperson; Ed Sayres, President and CEO

Audubon Society of Portland, Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director; Karen Munday, Urban Wildlife Specialist

Axis Performance Advisors, Darcy Hitchcock, President

Barkleigh Productions, Sally Liddick, President and Publisher of Groomer to Groomer

Castor and Pollux Pet Works, Brian Connelly, owner

Christine Myers, freelance writer

City of Dallas, Robert Van Buren, AIA

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Patricia Leonard, writer, spokesperson

Debra J. White, freelance writer

Dogfriendly.com , Tara Kain, founder

Doody Calls, Alan Pietrovito, owner

Environmental Working Group, Dr. Olga Naidenko, Senior Scientist; Jovana Ruzicic

Humane Society of the United States, Nancy Peterson, Rachel Querry

International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC), Brenda Drown

Gibbons Ireland, LLP, Laura Ireland Moore, founder, Center for Animal Law Studies

Michigan State University College of Law, David Favre, professor, Editor-in-Chief, Animal Legal Historical Web Center

Naseem Rakha, author

NaturesEarth.com , Barbara Abernathy, spokesperson

Oregon Environmental Council, Andrea Durbin, Executive Director

Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), Thomas M. Egan

Packaged Facts, Tom Ehart, Director, Communications; David Lummis, Senior Market Analyst

Pet-Butler, Matt Boswell, owner

Pet Care Services Association, Nicole Singleton, spokesperson

Petfinder.com , Kim Saunders, Vice President Shelter Outreach

Pet Travel, Inc., Jerry Hatfield, President

Sierra Club, Orli Cotel, spokesperson

U.S. Green Building Council, Laurie Mitchell, spokesperson

Watt Publishing, Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, Editor-in-Chief, PetFoodIndustry.com

www.Makower.com , Joel Makower, author
Introduction
I m a pet person. I ve loved and lived with companion animals of every kind: dogs, cats, fish, birds, horses, turtles, lizards, domestic rats. So I needed to understand how we can live in harmony with the wider environment because every aspect of living with companion animals has an effect on it: from choice of species, housing, fee