Read the article.... read the posts....... apparently we forgot a few things on this 'footprint' idea.
I compost all animal waste at my house, please tell me I'm not alone! It's used to grow food so that I don't have to buy from the mega farms therefore reducing this entire household's footprint. The dogs eat the leftovers to account for about 50% of the waste they produce, and it keeps from any 'wasted' food from ending up in the landfill. The cats and dogs both eat critters that would other wise require poison to kill. Most of the summer my dane mix doesn't even eat commercial food because she eats every bird she can grab in the yard. The bassets keep me mole and other underground varmint free. Cats rid me of mice, moths, spiders, scorpions.....
I don't spend loads of cash on toys and such.... I get second hand goods and make them into beds, etc. saving room in the landfills. Even the collars are either secondhand or made by me from parts off destroyed collars and left over fabric scraps. I don't need an alarm system. I don't have to worry about a break in, my dane mix would rip them to shreds and a couple of the cats would help.
I think this article was intended for those who dote on their purse puppies or couch potato dogs and treat them as if they are above pet status. Those who spend an ungodly amount of money on the have to have accessory of the moment. Yes, having pets is a luxury but to broadly base a 'footprint' for all pets is a bit much. Not all of us spoil our brats.
