PetSugar

Broken Umbrellas Equal Stylish Raincoats

PetSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:45:05 -0700

Desperately grasping a broken umbrella is one of the worst feelings I can think of . . . as is the accompanying sogginess. I've definitely been caught out in the rain and slammed the wire-jutting contraption into the trash as I slosh to work.Well, no more. See these adorable raincoats? They're made from recycled umbrellas! All jackets ($10 and up) are completely customizable – hood, no hood, felt, vintage, hand-picked linings, etc. – for your lucky, weather-resisting pup. Created by product designer Taryn Zychal, her two pugs serve as models but designs can come in sizes from XS to XXL.

I already know what I'm doing next time I break an umbrella and, if this sounds like something you'd like to support, even if you don't have a dressed-up dog, she's currently offering a great plan:

To get the best variety of broken umbrellas, I am currently reimbursing shipping costs to anyone who would like to send me their broken umbrellas, so it will literally cost them nothing to ship it to me. I want to collect broken umbrellas from all over the world so hopefully people will dig the idea and start sending them my way!

Her online store, Recycling Zychal, is up now and she'll continue to add more fabrics as they come in from all of you. As if you needed yet another reason: a portion of all sales go towards the Humane Society of the United States so you won't leave the animals high and dry . . . just dry.

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4 Easy Ways to Eco-fy a Toy Box

PetSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:46:32 -0700

Earth Day may be over, but is that any reason to halt our eco-tastic efforts? Definitely not. I'm working to make my home more green for myself and North. Since my active pup loves his toys, I've jotted down four ways to make his playthings less wasteful and more playful. Get ready for some simple changes and start this slideshow.
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6 Products to Keep Clean . . . and Green!

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:00:20 -0700

Happy Earth Day! Did you know there are several common items that you can use in a pet-filled household as safer, more eco-tastic alternatives to keep your home and furry friends clean? Well, I've gathered my top six picks and highlighted just a few uses for each – I'm betting you have at least a couple on hand already. If you don't believe me, see for yourself when you start this slideshow!
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The Scoop: Deadly Cat Poop for Sea Otters

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:18 -0700

While not many of you were instantly on board with composting dog poop, I thought I'd mention some important information for those feline owners. A common parasite that kitties can get is actually very deadly to wildlife, like these adoro sea otters, when cat litter is not properly disposed! Cat feces can contain Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that commonly gets into feline systems from eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. When kitties later expel these parasites in their droppings - sometimes hundreds of millions at a time - each can survive in soil and water for over a year!

Although many different kinds of animals can serve as intermediate hosts for the parasites, cats are the only animals known to shed the parasite's eggs in their droppings. (In fact, this cat-parasite link is the reason pregnant women are advised against cleaning cat litter boxes.) Because of this danger, cat poop should not be flushed because it can then be carried via storm drains and sewage outflows into near-shore ocean waters. But, what about those indoor cats? Find out when you read more.

Even cats who don't make it outside could still be at risk from a mouse in the house, for example. In fact, California’s legislature passed a bill in 2006 to protect sea otters, in part by requiring that all cat litter sold in the state carry a warning label advising cat owners not to flush cat litter or dispose of it in storm drains. They recommend that litter always be discarded in trashbags so it will end up in a landfill where precautions are taken to prevent environmental contamination.

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What Do You Know About Earth Day?

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:45:04 -0700

We've talked a lot about the environment and the effects we (and our furry friends) have on the planet. What do you know about Earth Day history? This banner's from the very first celebration ever – do you know when it took place, why, and who started it? Test yourself in this lil green quiz!

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Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat in Your Backyard

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:20:42 -0700

The National Wildlife Federation offers some great tips to turn your backyard into a wildlife habitat (and then make it certified). Show your commitment to conserving wildlife and provide elements from each of the five essential areas you'll learn about when you read more. Source

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I Need Your Help . . . Raccoons Want In (to My Garbage)

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:45:01 -0700

In spirit of Earth Day, I thought we'd tackle a problem with wild animals. Sonoma b is having a big problem with some masked creatures. The very hungry raccoons seem determined to make a mess of her garbage. It's a company-issued, heavy-duty blue industrial plastic "can" filled with plastic kitchen bags. Even though it's emptied once a week, the pesky critters seem to find their way in before then! To hear what she has to say, read more.

"I have even put a cinderblock on top of the garbage can and they still toppled it over – and survived and ate and ran! I am going nuts each morning picking up their leftovers on my driveway!"

Of course, they want nothing to do with the separate brown recycling cans, but do any of you have tips for keeping them away from toppling the garbage (short of leaving the stinky can inside the garage)? Please help out in your comments below.

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To the Rescue: Composting Dog Poop?

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:00:28 -0700

Of course any responsible pet owner knows to pick up after a dog, and there are still plenty of signs around reminding us all the same! When trying to live a little more green, opting for those biodegradable bags is a great start, but what about composting the waste afterwards? According to the experts at Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture, there's a (fairly) simple way to begin composting dog poop in your own backyard.

Take an old garbage can and drill a dozen or so holes in the side.
Use a keyhole saw to cut out the bottom and remove it.
Dig a hole in the ground that's deep enough for the garbage can.
Toss some rocks or gravel in the hole for drainage and position the garbage can on top so it's a little higher than the soil level.
Place the lid back on top.
When you scoop some poop, put it in the hole and sprinkle in some septic starter (like Septonic) and add some water.
The waste decomposes and enters the subsoil – remember, it is not used on garden beds!

I've already shared other eco-tastic tips, but here's one that takes a bit more effort. So what do you think – is throwing a biodegradable bag in the garbage where you'll stop or would you take it to the next level?

Bare Bones: BioBags Eco Friendly Poop Bags

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:00:06 -0700

When your dog does his business, where do you put the remains? Most likely you pick it up with your plastic poopie bags and toss it in the garbage like a good owner should. But all that plastic does a number on our landfills! Since today is Earth Day, I thought it would be a great time to focus on one of the most important jobs a pet parent can perform: cleaning up after your pet in an earth-friendly way.

Recently, San Francisco was the first city to put a ban on plastic bags being given out at stores and replaced them with paper or biodegradable bags since the evidence of the damage that plastic causes to the environment was overwhelming. With plastic taking over 100 years to decompose, your stash of old Target and Safeway bags will be hanging around for much longer than you (or your pet) will. Thankfully, these BioBags for Dogs ($6) are here to save the day. To see how they are helping the environment, just read more.

BioBags are being used in one of my fave local grocery stores here in SF in place of the dreaded plastic bag, and to me are a great alternative to the sometimes less-than-sturdy paper bag. Since I don't like the idea of chopping down ton of trees just to carry my groceries (or pick up North's doodie), I have collected a nice number of these BioBags to pick up poop with. But, now that they make smaller bags just for scooping poop, I have a few boxes on order already! BioBags are 100 percent biodegradable and completely compostable in ten to fourteen days, so you can at least get something back from your purchase in the form of some awesome plants and a clear conscience! What's more is BioBags makes a biodegradable cat Litter Box Liner ($7) as well, so your kitties can get in on the earth saving action, too!

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Happy Eco-Tastic Earth Day!

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:30:46 -0700

To kick off today's very important holiday, I'll be doing an entire day of eco-tastic posts! Remembering our wild animal friends, especially feeding the birds, can go a long way to help keep the earth, and all the creatures that call it home, safe for years to come. A change starts with you so choosing earth-friendly cleansers and DIY toys is a nice way to show the world that you care. Many pet items nowadays are made from recycled, biodegradable, and all-natural materials like these hemp products for your doggies and kitties.

Remember, in addition to reducing, reusing, and recycling today – keep it up all year round!

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