Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care

by Carol Frischmann

Overview

This book gives you all the information you need to understand sustainability in the context of pet ownership and arms you with the know-how to make the best choices for your pet and the planet. It explains the environmental consequences of pet ownership and offers alternatives to the everyday choices any pet-owning family makes, from choosing pet food and buying pet equipment and toys to disposing of pet waste and avoiding household toxins. Thoroughly researched and packed with realistic guidelines for putting ideas into practice, Pets and the Planet is a virtual roadmap for sustainable pet parenthood.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780470275733
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/01/2009
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Carol Frischmann is the author of two books and many articles about animals and nature. As a zoo educator, wildlife rehabilitator, and science teacher, she has been lecturing to the public about pets and wildlife for more than twenty years.

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Table of 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.