If you’re going to scoop the poop, you might as well do it with style.

The nice thing about babies is that your poop collection duties eventually halt. With dogs, on the other hand, you’ve got a long walk ahead. Treat yourself, your dog and the planet with dignity by investing in these strong, eco friendly, 100% biodegradable poop bags from MetroPaws. Retail price, $9.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

When my husband and I were about to move to our new place, I told him I’d like to get a cat, so we planned to adopt one. We didn’t get that far, however, because as soon as the landlady unlocked the front door to let us in to our new place, a skinny little black cat scurried in and made herself at home. She’s been with us ever since.

Speaking of black cats, there still prevails a superstitious bias against dark-colored animals and they are often passed over for adoption at animal shelters. Unless you have all-white furniture and the dark shedding fur would cause you major grief, consider bringing a black dog or cat home with you.

There are some other important and compassionate reasons to consider adopting a pet over buying from a store.

Puppy mills. Most pet stores get their puppies from factory-style breeding facilities called puppy mills. Puppy mills are high-volume breeding facilities where many dogs are kept in squalid, caged conditions until they’re ready to sell. They often have health and socialization problems.

Save a life, make a friend for life. It’s sad but true – space is limited in animal shelters and if that sweet little creature doesn’t get adopted within a certain amount of time, it will have to be euthanized. There are some no-kill shelters, but they are in the minority.

Save money. It costs much less to adopt from a shelter than to buy from a pet store. What you pay to the shelter generally includes vaccination, de-worming and spay/neuter services. You’ll also get some guidance and advice for the care of your new pet!

AKC papers don’t guarantee health. Purebred papers from the American Kennel Club guarantee only the purity the breed – nothing more. Even if a puppy is purebred, it might have hereditary health problems. If you are looking for an AKC-certified pet, look beyond the anonymity of the pet store or the internet and visit a reputable breeder in person to find out more about the puppy’s parentage and living conditions. These days there are rescue organizations for nearly every breed, so it’s not necessary to adopt a mutt if you want to rescue an animal.

You can find purebreds at a shelter. If you’ve got your heart set on a particular breed, give animal shelters a chance; purebreds show up there all the time.

Good karma. Many years ago, our family cat went missing and although my mom scoured the local shelters for him, he was never found. In the meantime, however, she came across a scrawny little ball of fluff that caught her eye and tugged at her heart. She brought him home, took care of him, and now he’s the biggest, fluffiest Maine Coon you’ll ever see. He and my mom are inseparable. She saved his life and he’ll never forget it.

Socialization. A pet store animal has probably never been in a house before, whereas a shelter animal most likely has. Most shelters screen for good behavior and temperament and will be honest with you about the animal’s personality and needs, whereas a pet store only wants to make a profit. Most shelter animals have been left behind because of a cross-country move, a new baby, or expense. These animals have likely been housebroken and know how to manage their way in the world of humans. They’ll certainly be happy to have a new home.

Don’t support animal over-population. There are already so many domestic animals in this world that need a home. Pet shops and puppy mills support over-breeding of these animals for profit. It’s estimated that 6 to 8 million pets are euthanized every year! Rescue a spayed or neutered pet instead and give it the loving home it deserves.

Shelters offer a huge selection of animals. Many shelters rescue more than just dogs or cats. Birds, horses, guinea pigs, hamsters, reptiles, farm animals and all kinds of other critters may be your ideal companion, too.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. This original post can be found here.

Image: Conway L.

More alpha men and women seem to be answering the call of the wild, signing on as leader of the pack for several hours each day. For herders able to command six-to-ten furry friends at a time in a neighborhood park or at the beach, dog walking can rake in as much as $200 a day (minus the truck fuel). Scooping poop just got a lot more enticing!

But you should know it isn’t all fun and games, warns Emy Sakai, 29, owner and founder of The Urban Paw dog walking service in San Francisco. The consummate animal lover has been pet sitting and dog walking since the age of 12, starting her career working part time while working in office settings and then branching off to launch her own service, which she likens to running a daycare program.

“The dog walker is like the teacher on a preschool field trip who has to keep a very close eye on the kids or they might wander off or eat something that is poisonous,” she finds. “I use treats and positive reinforcement and know what they are doing at all times.”

Sakai walks some seven different breeds at a time at Fort Funston, a wild and breezy stretch of headlands, sands and dunes. It has become the new happy hour spot for unleashed thirsty beasts and their guides, and where she has seen a lot of newbies come and go. It’s easy to talk the talk but can you walk the walk?

“You have to walk the dogs rain or shine, get dirty and not be grossed out by a lot of things,” she shares. “You have to have thick skin. It’s not just hanging out with cute, fuzzy animals. Being the pack leader shouldn’t be viewed as a glamorous or good transitional job.”

Okay, so it’s not as cushy as being a personal assistant to Carrie Bradshaw or being the intern who erases the chalkboard on the Glen Beck set. You may not be after glamor. You may not be a cat person. But perhaps flicking a Frisbee or waving a ball wand is your idea of a fling.

Here are seven signs that dog walking is the career for you:

1. You form attachments easily, even with drooling mutts who won’t pick up their poop. (“It’s sad when clients leave and I don’t get to say goodbye or have one last walk,” shares Sakai. “They’re like our second kids.”)

2. You are seeking part time work with flexibility so you can play with your human kids or finish that novel. An indoor retail job would be impossible, and besides, they won’t let you wear your gnarly, muddy boots at Saks.

3. You’re an alpha personality (a.k.a. control freak) who feels powerless in your current position. Why won’t someone, anyone, listen to you? Why are you constantly interrupted by stupid humans? Dogs know their place.

4. When you run on the beach you feel like a lonely loser and envy the dog walkers you spot throwing balls and sticks and connecting with their four legged friends. You like throwing sticks. You want friends.

5. You are looking for way out of that booth at Starbucks and perusing your laptop for listings for desk jobs. Your tush is spreading like nobody’s business, but the bills are not getting paid. You need exercise and money. Who doesn’t?

6. While you are a master at multi-tasking, you have never had the right job to employ your skills. As a dog walker you can shout loudly (calling out each name so everyone around you can hear), run, scoop, praise, play, feed, defend and reward, all while socializing and commiserating with other walkers.

7. No matter how hard you try, you cannot get rid of that gas guzzling SUV but realize you can use it for a good cause, namely the outings with your Fidos. Better yet, your clients all live within walking distance and you can pick them up on foot and hit parks a few blocks away!

Images: revolution cycle, NinaZed

“Dogs weren’t bred to lie on the sofa all day and then walk in perfect step with their human for 30 minutes a day,” said trainer Eric Goebelbecker, CPDT-KA, owner of Dog Spelled Forward. “They get bored just like we do and need to exercise their brains.”

Providing the right stimulation can be a critical step in eliminating problem behaviors. As Goebelbecker points out, bored behavior is often mislabeled as separation anxiety. A dog who is bored will spend his day searching for activities, like disemboweling your television remote or barking incessantly. Providing adequate mental stimulation is easier – and more fun – thank you might think.

When you’re hanging around the house, play with your dog. Consider a game like tug or fetch. Hide in your house, and let your dog find you. You can repeat that exercise with treats and toys, too.

When you leave for the day, give your dog food puzzles he can solve on his own. To up the ante, Goebelbecker suggests hiding the toys. This gives your dog two separate activities – first, finding the toy, and second, solving the food puzzle.

Nina Ottosson makes a range of eco-friendly and pet-safe toys that will definitely keep your dog busy. Warning: These toys, which come in a variety of skill levels, will probably require your participation at first. (Check out her YouTube video demonstrations!) Another great option, though less eco-conscious, is the Kong. You can stuff a Kong to keep your dog occupied. “Kongs are great. You can put treats in them or even actual meals,” said Goebelbecker. “If your dog gets good at un-stuffing them, freeze them.”

Keeping your dog’s mind active will help eliminate problem behaviors like destructive chewing or excessive barking. According to Goebelbecker, “Mental stimulation can result in more relaxed and satisfied dog.”

Your dog will be happier and healthier for it, too!

Image: OakleyOriginals on Flickr, licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons.

Vitamins and supplements are rising in popularity among health-conscious dog owners, due in large part to concerns about the quality of pet food. Of course, manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon and producing an array of products – from the healthy and practical to the completely absurd. For instance, if you are so inclined, you can now purchase bottled vitamin water for your pampered pooch.

While bottled vitamin water is pretty crazy, there are good supplements on the market that can be used as either preventive care or to manage specific health conditions. Martha Smith is the general manager of i Love Dogs, a company that produces a line of natural vitamins and supplements for dogs. “Vitamins and supplements are a great way to support dogs as they deal with existing issues like hip and joint issues, allergies, nutrient deficiency, and even cancer,” says Martha. “They can also be powerful preventive agents for dogs who are prone to certain illnesses or conditions.” For example, Martha has her German Shepherd Dog (GSD) on glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joints and cartilage, because GSD’s are promote to hip and joint problems.

However, supplements might not be appropriate for all dogs or all conditions. Martha suggests that owners of dogs with unstable health or serious allergies should consult a vet or a holistic canine healthy practitioner.

The positive result of increased interest in pet supplements is that manufacturers are releasing products designed to meet our and our dogs’ needs. For instance, i Love Dogs uses plant- and animal-based ingredients, but they also have a vegan option.

If you’re considering adding a vitamin or supplement to your dog’s diet, here are some things to consider:

• Before starting your dog on anything, schedule a visit with your vet, especially if your dog has a chronic condition you’re trying to manage.
• “With vitamins in particular, pet parents need to pay careful attention to the dosing instructions for their dog’s weight. Some of the minerals and other ingredients in vitamin supplements can be harmful when over-dosed,” says Martha.
• Read labels and ingredient lists as carefully as you would if you were considering the supplement for yourself because, according to Martha, “vitamins and supplements vary widely in terms of formulation, ingredients, country of origin, and recommended dosage.”

Image: gopal1035

Adopting a shelter dog can be a hugely rewarding experience. But it also takes a lot of preparation and patience. Though you may want to start spoiling and snuggling your new pup right away, he may take a little time to adjust. Get yourself and your home organized to welcome your new family member with these steps:

1. Ask the shelter what food your new dog has been eating. While you may want to switch him to a different diet, start him out on his familiar kibble until he’s comfortable in his new home, then slowly transition to the new food.
2. If you plan to crate train, purchase the crate in advance so it’s assembled and filled with soft bedding, ready for his arrival. Make his first encounter with his new crate a pleasant one by filling a stuffable toy with peanut butter and luring him into the crate with it.
3. Don’t buy too many toys at first. Start with a few different types of toys – plush, squeakers, balls, etc., – and wait to see what becomes his favorite.
4. Arrange a dog bed or pile of blankets somewhere near to but not in the middle of where your family hangs out. Your dog may need a quiet retreat if he gets overwhelmed.
5. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a comprehensive exam and to stock up on any medications or supplies that you might need.
6. If possible, bring your new pup home on a Friday so that you have a full weekend to spend time together. Use that time to help him adjust to his new surroundings, to work on potty training or crate training, and to play together.
7. When you first arrive home, lead your new pup around the house on a leash. Allow him to sniff and explore. If he seems relaxed, drop the leash and allow him to explore on his own. Before you unclip the leash, take him out to go to the bathroom (while showering him with praise and treats, of course).
8. If your dog has an accident in the house, don’t scold or “correct” him. It’s bound to happen. Just make a note of when and where, and be more diligent about taking him out. It’s your responsibility to help him succeed.
9. Sign up for a training class (after your vet gives the okay). Even if you’re a great trainer and even if he already knows a handful of commands, it’s a great way to establish a trusting bond with your new dog.
10. Most importantly, practice patience! Your pup may take a while to adjust to his new house, new routines, and new family. He may not want to snuggle or get belly rubs at first. Be patient. Before you know it, you’ll have a happy, healthy, well-adjusted new best friend!

Image: henrycountyhumanesociety

There’s something about Paul Frank that kids absolutely love. Now 26 Bars and a Band has teamed up with the license to bring dog and cat owners adorable, eco-friendly pet products featuring the funny monkey Julius. The pet beds and retractable leashes are designed and produced by an animal loving, eco-conscious couple who have brought four rescues into their family – three cats and a dog.

The Devil Julius Leash is just one of the many Avant Garde retractable leashes the company offers – we also love their non-Paul Frank options, too. On the leash you can let your dog run wild for up to 15 feet, but when he has been a bad dog, you can reel him right back in. The leash is made from ABS plastic that’s recyclable, and 26 Bars and a Band has a program set up so you can send back fully-used retractable leashes to be recycled. When you take back your leash, the company will donate $10 to the Center for Biological Diversity in your name.

The Paul Frank pet beds are made plush and cuddly thanks to a generous helping of recycled plastic bottle fill. The cover is removable so you can wash it – a super important factor if you’re using this bed for a puppy. The three styles come in both king and queen sizes.

The dog days of summer can be tough times for canines. Dogs can get dehydrated quickly in hot weather, so it’s extremely important to give them water when exercising or playing outside. Since giving your dog water from your bottle, or finagling a way to give your pooch access to a drinking fountain can be tricky, here are two eco-friendly stainless steel water bottles made just for Fido.

Stopping for a doggy water break at the park is easy with these specially designed stainless steel water bottles. On the bottom it looks just like any old water bottle, but when you remove the top, it becomes an instant dog bowl – making it easy for your dog to drink up. You don’t have to worry about toxins because the bottle is made from non-leaching food grade stainless steel and the caribeaner clip allows you to attach it to your belt loop or leash when you head out. It’s also great for travel and will fit in standard size cup holders.

H2O4K9 Water Bottles, Muttropolis, $22

If your dog is happy enough to drink straight from the bottle, you can designate one special stainless steel water bottle just for the pup. While you might think this bottle is just like any regular bottle, this one has a rollerball that slowly releases water for your dog. The design is similar to water bottles used in rabbit or gerbil cages. It also comes with a carabiner clip and is available in two pooch-inspired styles.

Stainless Steel Pet Water Bottle, Plow and Hearth, $19.95

Guess which states still allow the brutal devocalization of pets? Nearly all of them.

Devocalization, commonly called debarking in dogs, is a surgical procedure that involves removing tissue from an animal’s vocal cords, thus reducing the animal’s ability to vocalize. The surgery not only steals the animal’s ability to communicate, but it also poses numerous health risks, including the possibility that scar tissue will block the animal’s throat, and can cause significant pain.

The United Kingdom and Denmark outlawed the procedure, but almost every state in the United States allows it. In California, state legislation makes it illegal for landlords to require devocalization (and declawing) as part of their tenant agreement – though the state doesn’t outlaw the procedure. And while New Jersey has a vocalization ban, the state allows numerous exceptions, so the law is unenforceable as is. Perhaps most bizarre of them all, in Ohio, debarking is legal in dogs – except dogs that are deemed vicious.

But earlier this year, Massachusetts passed a state law banning devocalization procedures from being performed on cats and dogs. Massachusetts’ law is the only effective statewide ban of the procedure.

Opponents to the legislation claim that it will increase the number of pets turned into shelters; however, the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy found that excessive vocalization is not one of the top 10 reasons pets are relinquished to shelters.

Unbelievably, other opponents fear that banning devocalization will open up the possibility that other surgeries like ear cropping and tail docking also will be banned. Like devocalization, ear cropping and tail docking surgeries are considered mutilation and are banned in several European countries.

Communication is vital to dogs and cats. Through barking and meowing, they transmit moods like happiness and fear. They vocalize in alarm and in defense. And when dogs and cats socialize, they use their voices to communicate with one another. While this surgery is physically debilitating, it also causes social handicaps and can even endanger a pet’s life.

This inhumane, brutal surgery is designed for the convenience of owners too lazy to provide behavioral support to their pets. Massachusetts’ law should encourage other states to enact similar legislation to protect our dogs and cats from an unnecessary convenience surgery.

Urge pet owners to consult with a veterinarian or to attend sessions with a reputable trainer to address the underlying problem causing the barking. To hear personal stories from pet owners who rescued dogs who were debarked, watch this five-minute-long video, Faces of Devocalization. Most importantly, write to your state legislators and urge them to ban devocalization procedures.

Images: goodrob13, Marcin Wichary

Love animals and want to help one today? Here are nine ways you can save a cat, dog, or other domestic animal right now.

Sign the Stop Puppy Mills Pledge: By signing the Humane Society’s pledge, you’re promising: “I will do my part to help stop puppy mills. I pledge to help end this cycle of cruelty by: Choosing not to buy my next pet from a pet store or Internet site and refusing to buy supplies from any pet store or Internet site that sells puppies.” It might not feel like you’re saving a pet today, but your efforts can help. According to non-profit Make A Happen, four to five million puppies die globally every year, that’s roughly 11,000 every day, and roughly one dog dies in a puppy mill every eight seconds!

Adopt a Shelter Animal: Take the advice of my fellow Flora & Fido writer Maggie Marton. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately five to seven million companion animals enter U.S. shelters each year. So follow her five tips to recycle a pet.

Adopt a Guinea Pig: Maggie also tells us that dogs and cats aren’t the only pets that need new homes – and they’re not the only animals bred in mills either. Guinea pigs are in need of help, too. One little guinea pig can’t be so hard to adopt, right?

Look to the Latest Natural Disaster: After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of pets died and many were left behind. Rescue organizations and animal lovers stepped in to help. Right now, pets are being abandoned at an alarming rate in the Gulf Coast region as a result of the oil spill. You can help the forgotten Gulf oil spill victims by adopting one or donating to organizations helping the cause.

Find a Dog or Cat Who Needs You Now: New Beginnings Animal Rescue in Hinesville, Georgia is one non-profit focused on eliminating the euthanasia of cats and dogs. They send emails to their members listing dogs who are on death row with just a few days to live. It’s heartbreaking. But it’s also reality in states that don’t have no-kill shelter mandates. You can also see adoptable and desperate pets on their Facebook page. Another Georgia shelter, Walton County Animal Control, also displays their last-chance pets on their site. Adopt one, or foster a pet to save it now and then find a worthy forever home later.

Fall in Love on the Go: Petfinder.com’s iPhone app makes it easy to adopt a homeless pet whenever you feel inspired. Sitting at the bar with your friends and thinking about adopting a pet? Pull out your phone and make a group decision on the most deserving animal. While you’re at it, find one for every friend sitting at the bar with you. Cheers!

Visit Adopt A Pet: The site’s easy-to-search database has plenty of dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and more for you to fall in love with and rescue. If you’re not ready to add a new animal to your family today, “Twitter a Critter” to encourage your followers to adopt the pets that tug at your heartstrings. I tweeted about Skye as I wrote this post.

Help Baghdad Pups: Ready for another tear-jerker? The street dog population in Baghdad is estimated at 1.2 million. Recently Iraqi authorities shot or poisoned more than 50,000 to alleviate the problem. What’s more – many U.S soldiers cope with their life at war, in part, by befriending the local animals. You can donate to the SPCAI’s Operation Baghdad Pups program, which provides veterinary care and finds ways to get these beloved animals back to the U.S to join troops when they return home – another place where these pets can offer a lot of comfort.

Donate: Another great option for those of you who can’t take in an animal now is to donate. Find a local dog shelter or animal rescue organization that you feel strongly about helping. Or, donate to one of the big animal rescue organizations like the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States.

Image: heypatrick