Visit your local shelter: Overpopulation, and consequently euthanasia, is the #1 killer of dogs in this country. Visit your local shelter and adopt, or volunteer with a rescue group to help as many dogs in need find great forever homes.
Donate: Old blankets and sheets may seem like junk to you, but to the dogs at your local shelter, they are beds and comfort. Instead of trashing your old linens and towels, donate them to your local shelter.
Make your own dog toys: Old socks with missing pairs? Make a dog toy! Recycling household products and making dog toys is a great way to re-use, rather than consume. Plus, dog toys sold at pet stores can be expensive and wasteful of our planet’s resources.
Don’t drive to the dog park: Instead of driving to the dog park, how about rollerblading, biking or just walking instead? It’s more exercise and time for you and your dog to spend together, and it’s not using fossil fuels or spewing greenhouse gases into the air.
Consider a natural, holistic diet with added vegetable content for your dog. Eating organic and local is good for the planet and good for your pet’s health.
Check your household cleaning products and make sure you’re using ones that are chemical-free, and therefore not contributing to harmful runoff into our ground and water sources.
Plant a garden. Spring is the perfect time to put out dog-friendly flowers and other plants, and not only is it good for the environment, but many people claim that gardening helps them to relax and de-stress. If you don’t have a big yard, consider container gardening on your deck or patio. A dog-friendly backyard is a great place for the entire family.
Pick up after your pup. Doggy doo-doo isn’t just a nuisance to your neighbors; it can also be harmful to the environment. Dog feces contains millions of bacteria and can sometimes harbor harmful parasites such as giardia and salmonella, which find their way into our waterways. Prevent the spread of disease by picking up after your pup. Bonus points if you use biodegradable doggy bags like these. Compost dog poop – instead of reaching for another plastic bag, compost your dog’s poop and use it for fertilizer. Here is info on how to get started. Reduce your plastic bag consumption completely by using a pooper scooper or similar non-disposable tool. Cut down on waste that takes space and switch to biodegradable poop bags. The bags decompose in about the same amount of time as an apple.
Reduce: You can reduce the waste that comes with owning a dog by choosing toys and products that come with less packaging. Opt for products that require little to no wrapping, like stuffed toys, or buying larger bags of food instead of individual servings.
Recycle: Did you know that many old plastic dog toys are recyclable? Once Fido is done with them, you can take them to your local recycling center or put them in your home recycling bin. You can also find new toys made from recycled materials from many pet retailers.
Reuse: Do you have dog toys or beds that your pup never took a shine to? Try donating them to a local shelter – you can feel good while doing good.
Spray Weeds With White Vinegar Instead Of Chemicals: Your lawn is your dog’s domain. He plays on it, rolls in it, lays around on it. By putting harsh chemicals on it, you’re not only poisoning your dog, you’re also poisoning the ground water. Instead, squirt simple white vinegar on your weeds with a spray bottle and watch them wither.
Clean up the neighborhood together – leash up your dog, grab two trash bags (one for recycling and one for trash) and walk your neighborhood picking up litter.
Sources:
Dogington Post https://www.dogingtonpost.com/7-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-your-dog/ (Brandy Arnold)
Puppy Spot https://www.puppyspot.com/content/2017/04/22/celebrate-earth-day-with-your-dog/
Outward Hound https://outwardhound.com/buzzwoof/fun/4-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-your-dog
DIY Dog Mom https://diydogmom.com/health-tips/10-ways-celebrate-earth-day-dog/
