YOUR DUTY TO FIGHT PET POLLUTION THIS EARTH DAY
FRI, 21 APR 2017 BY LINDA ROSADO
It is easy to forget about the not-so-cute responsibilities that come with having a dog when they are adorable and loving. Picking up after your pet may not be the best part of dog ownership, but it is necessary. Not only does it help keep your neighborhood clean, but it also benefits the environment. In honor of Earth Day and DOGIPOT®’s goal of reducing pet pollution, we put together some tips on how to become a responsible, environmentally conscious pet owner while reducing the harmful effects pet waste can cause.
PREVENT HARMFUL BACTERIA FROM INFECTING OTHERS
The most unpleasant aspects of pet waste are the things you can’t see. Pet waste can serve as a host to a variety of viruses, parasites and bacteria, like E. Coli, salmonella, tapeworms and parvovirus, to name a few. Humans, as well as animals, can contract these diseases by coming into contact with contaminated pet waste. Children are especially susceptible since they often play in grassy areas where pets defecate. There’s also a risk of spread if animals are exposed, which can hurt wildlife in the area.
PROTECT YOUR WATERWAYS
Pet waste that is not picked up may seem to just disappear with time, but the
bacteria it carries does not. A slight rain shower can cause the bacteria from the waste to run off into city drains, eventually ending up it streams, ponds or rivers. The strains of toxic bacteria and high levels of acidity damage the natural ecosystems and can pollute local waterways.
THE LESS PLASTIC THE BETTER
Recycling has become a part of many people’s everyday lives and might even feel like second nature. Saving plastic is also important when it comes to using dog waste bags. DOGIPOT®’s SMART Litter Pick Up Bags are designed with a thicker, more durable plastic to ensure that no bag goes to waste. Thin, flimsy bags that tear easily are too often thrown away before they can be used or cause you to double-up when cleaning up after your pet. Either way, minimizing the resources needed to clean up after your pet is a simple solution to reduce your plastic consumption.
YOUR DUTY AS A PET OWNER
Owning a pet comes with some unexpected rules and responsibilities. Who knew that not picking up dog waste could leave long-term negative effects on the environment? The best thing you can do as a pet owner is to pick up after your dog. Try to go to parks or walk your dog in areas that have pet waste stations or always travel with a couple of spare bags just in case.
NOT A PET OWNER?
Even if you don’t own a pet, the cleanliness of your community could be improved by providing pet owners with solutions that will make the cleaning and disposing of pet waste simple. Do your “doo” diligence as a concerned citizen by reaching out to your local city managers, business owners and Home Owners Association about implementing pet waste stations, such as the Aluminum DOGIPOT® Pet Station, and inform them of the detrimental environmental impact of pet waste.