Tri-State Green Report - Pets

Hopefully youre getting on board with the green movement. Youve changed the light bulbs, youre recycling, youve installed a low flow shower head. Want to do more? If you have a pet, we have some ideas. There are many things responsible pet owners can do to "green" their animals. Number one on the list of planet saving steps is to adopt from a shelter. Most shelters spay or neuter animals before making them available for adoption. But if you get your pet somewhere else you should still get it "fixed". If you dont, your pet could produce hundreds of unwanted off-spring. In addition, spaying and neutering helps avoid a number of pet health problems including cancer and prostate disease. Keeping your cat indoors can be good for a couple of reasons. First itll cut down on the number of bird kills. That may not sound like a big deal, but some say cats are as big a threat to birds as habitat destruction. And a well-fed well-rested domestic cat is usually in pretty good fighting shape. Secondly, keeping fluffy indoors may lead to a much longer life. Indoor cats dont have to worry about cars or other predators. They can live up to 18 years.The average lifespan for an outdoor cat is just three. Buying organic or natural pet food can also be a good thing.These foods are produced under strict U.S.D.A. guidelines.The arguably healthier foods have been produced without added drugs or hormones. Because they use meat from sustainable resources, they also impact the environment less.Those that make it claim its a healthier food that could lead to your pet living a longer life. Another way to green your pet is to replace nylon leashes and collars with organic ones. So the bottom line is simple… going green can make for a happier pet and a healthier planet. Among all "pet friendly" environmental tips... Spaying and neutering is by far the most important. More than 70-thousand puppies and kittens are born every day in the United States. Thats 5-thousand animals every hour.