Seven Tips To Reduce Your Pet's Environmental 'Paw Print'

VANCOUVER, BC, April 20, 2011 (Press-News.org) Most people are aware of the things they can do to reduce their environmental footprint, but what about your pet? There are ways you can also reduce the "paw" or "claw print" of your furry, feathered or four legged friend. Dina Mously of Gem Green Event Management provides seven tips for reducing the environmental paw print of your pet.

1. Buy local. Feed sustainably-grown, locally-sourced food. This reduces food miles as well as cuts down on the amount of chemicals and hormones used to grow and produce that food.

2. Pick up after your pet using a biodegradable and compostable bag. With the large number of pets in cities, their feces can become a challenge on the ecosystem. Protect the natural water systems of your area from the bacteria in the pet stool and pick it up before the rain washes it down. Better yet, if you have a backyard, compost it. Check for compostable certification logos on bags such as BPI, BNQ or ECO.

3. Keep dogs on a leash and cats indoors. Keeping your pets away from wildlife protects birds, small mammals and other creatures that are vulnerable and no match to the large number of pets in some areas. If you can't keep your cats indoors all the time, start by keeping them in at night, as this is when they like to go hunting. Stick to areas that are designated as off leash, as studies show the number of wildlife species declines when dogs are walked there, even on a leash.

4. Keep it natural. Look for cleaning products and shampoos that are made with natural ingredients. Ask at your local pet store or make your own which is cheap, easy and non-toxic to you and your pet. Choose eco-friendly toys made from natural rubber, organic cotton, wool or recycled material.

5. Tag your pet. A large number of pets that end up in shelters do not have tags or have tags with old or faded information on them, so it becomes difficult to locate their owners. Save on paper and ink used to print "missing" posters and on gas used when driving around looking for your pet. Use recycled and recyclable material for hanging tags and have up-to-date information on them. Blanket ID, based in Victoria, is one of the great tools available on the Internet to help locate missing pets.

6. Adopt from a shelter. Millions of cats and dogs are killed each year because there aren't enough homes for them. Many of the animals in the shelters are healthy, friendly, purebred and would make a great pet. This is a good place to start looking for a new friend for you and your family.

7. Spay or neuter your pet. The only way to control the overpopulation of pets is by reducing the number of pets born each year. It is an easy and humane way to be part of the solution and reduce the number of animals that are killed. It also helps with many behavioural problems for both male and female pets.

Dina Mously will be available for questions and further discussion at The Petnership Project Holistic Wellness Pet Show on April 30 and May 1, 2011. Located at the Hellenic Community Centre (at 4500 Arbutus Street in Vancouver) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, The Petnership Project focuses on the body, mind and spirit of our pets. Admission is $11 per day for all online advanced ticket purchases (at http://www.petnerships.com) and $16 per day at the door. Admission is free to children under 12 and seniors 65 and over. This groundbreaking public event features a combination of trade show exhibitors and lectures.

Sponsors for The Petnership Project Holistic Wellness Pet Show include KVOS TV, News1130, Postmedia Network, and True Carnivores.

Petnerships.com, producer of The Petnership Project, is an online destination for alternative and progressive pet information. Petnerships' goal is to provide as much information as possible so each person can make informed choices about giving their companion animal the healthiest and best life possible. For more information, please visit http://www.petnerships.com.

For more information or an interview with Petnerships or Dina Mously of Gem Green Event Management, please contact Paul Holman at paul@ahacreative.com or at 604.303.1052.

AHA Creative Strategies Inc. is a full service PR agency with offices in Gibsons and Vancouver, BC and has a presence in Calgary, AB and Toronto, ON. Founded in 2003, by (former) national journalist Ruth Atherley and corporate communications specialist Paul Holman, AHA is a local agency with a global reach.