Creating a sustainable pet population

Are pets bad for the environment? 

With the world's resources under increasing pressure, Erik Assadourian argues that pet ownership needs a drastic rethink

An article emerging last week about the sustainability of the pet industry and pet ownership ruffled some feathers among pet communities and organizations.

In his Guardian story, Erik Assadourian questioned the carbon footprint of pets and the many products they consume or require. He writes that, "as our pets increasingly adopt the consumer habits of their owners, it's clear that no matter how "green" the industry becomes, it will never be sustainable." Assadourian argues that unnecessary pet products like toys, clothes and even burial caskets are putting a strain on the already stressed climate.

"Fast forward to a climate disrupted future. . . Where do pets fit in? When climate change disrupts grain supplies, shoots food prices through the roof and also eviscerates the global consumer economy, pets may be abandoned in droves as families suddenly can no longer afford their upkeep," he said.

And while Assadourian's suggestions (satirical or not) to slaughter the abandoned cat and dog population for meat or adopt 'time-share' relationships with animals garnered knee-jerk and emotional reactions in the comments section of the article, his message is simple: Consumers need to be mindful of the products they purchase for their pets.

Green Calgary Executive Director and former Calgary Humane Society Executive Director, Patricia Cameron noted that Assadourian's article may have sent the wrong message. Rather than promoting mindful consumerism and sustainability, it appealed to a reader's emotional ties to his/her pets.

"It is true that, currently, the pet industry is unsustainable, just like all the other industries. It is not an exception but rather part of the overall way that we produce, consume and dispose of things," she said.

"It is no different than any other industry. We're all in this together and we need to start buying for durability, trying to stay local, thinking about whether the products we purchase are necessary and are contributing to well-being. If we love our dogs, and we love owning dogs, then people should be looking at more sustainable ways of feeding their pets and meeting their recreational needs."  

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