An example of roof panels for a residential solar energy system.

Andrew Koyaanisqatsi is passionate about solar energy. You could say he was raised on it. Growing up in the 1970′s, his family home used solar energy to heat their water. His environmental awareness, which began at a young age, has shaped his adult life. Seeking to marry his love of the environment with his more spiritual nature, Andrew changed his last name to Koyanisquatsi, a Hopi word meaning “that quality of life that calls for another way of living” in 1984. His next move was to found Solar Energy Solutions, based in Portland, Ore., in 1987.

The mission behind Solar Energy Solutions is simple: to minimize, through renewable energy means, the impact humans have on the environment. But achieving this end isn’t always easy. According to Andrew, “In our industry, we feel the pressure to compete with more traditional forms of energy (gas, electric). Alternative energies, however, aren’t subsidized by the federal government anywhere near the degree of traditional forms of fuel, so the playing field isn’t level.”

That’s why the cost to install a solar energy system can be significantly higher than other available forms of energy. Yet, despite this potential barrier, residential interest in alternative renewable energies is growing. In fact, Solar Energy Solutions has seen a 20 percent increase in business each year for the past four years.

One reason for the increased interest is the technological improvements made in the solar energy industry. Today, panels are sleek and modern in appearance and carry two to three times the energy production per square foot to panels of bygone years. Another reason for the up tick in interest is heightened awareness of the environment and the human impact upon it. Plus, it’s hip to be green.

If you’re considering “going solar,” you can start with a simple system and build from there. Many opt for solar water heating first to “test the waters.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) Two 4 by 8 foot solar panels are mounted on a south- or west-facing part of your roof and an 80-gallon solar preheat water tank is installed near your existing water heater. This solar preheat tank takes the stress and strain off of your existing hot water heater by preheating the water in the solar preheat tank using the solar panels on your sunny roof. This is how your hot water energy bills are reduced.

Instead of your hot water heater cycling through to heat up water that’s basically snow melt from Mt Hood, the water delivered to the hot water heater tank is already preheated and hot… compliments of the Sun! The best part is, the solar water heating system can work with virtually any type of hot water heater – even certain “on-demand” water heaters.

So what’s a system like this going to cost you? It depends upon the complexity of the installation and the type of system you install, but solar water heating systems run from $6,000 to $16,000. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but if you consider there will be no maintenance required on the system and you get your hot water for free (think lower gas or electric bills), the overall savings becomes more obvious. With the never ending rising of traditional energy costs, and the detrimental effect conventional means of heating hot water has on the environment, the payback is obvious.

Governments and other agencies are also stepping in to help ease the cost of solar systems. In Oregon, three entities incent the installation of solar hot water systems and solar electric systems:

1. The Energy Trust of Oregon – funded by monies it receives from PGE, Pacific Power and Northwest Natural Gas as well as many smaller utilities.
2. The Oregon Department of Energy – has been offering tax credits to Oregonians to encourage the adoption of solar energy since 1986.
3. The Federal Government – is offering an uncapped 30 percent federal income tax credit.

Because of these incentives, the cost of a typical solar water heating system can be drastically reduced! Of course, these incentives aren’t just for solar water heating; they apply to all forms of solar energy. This means that now is the best time to consider “going solar!”

Still not convinced? How about these additional economic benefits?

• Solar energy is a risk-free and tax-free investment. Putting your money into traditional investments is risky, or at the very least questionable. Then, if it does yield a return, it’s taxed. Solar, on the other hand, is a risk free investment with guaranteed returns because energy prices will increase as much as four times today’s prices over a 10-year period. By going solar, the energy and money you save is tax-free.
• By installing a solar system, your home will increase in value by the cost of said system. Because of all of the entities encouraging you to go solar with large incentives, you’re only paying a percentage of the total system cost. So right from the start, even before all of the energy savings, you’re doubling your money.
• Your roof will last longer because it will be protected (with a whole-house installation) as well as be cooler because it will be shaded by the solar panels.
• Since little to no maintenance is required on solar systems, you have more time to do other important things…like gazing fondly at your low energy bills and your rooftop money-making machine.

Originally posted 2009-11-02 09:09:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Italians are known for their fresh ingredients and simple recipes, and pizza certainly is not excluded from the list. Just imagine, a cultural change took place all because Americans started growing this little herb in their gardens.

One of the greatest bits of information or tips anyone can glean from the Italians is their love of gardening. Although it is not the actual garden that gives it such a precious value, but the end product fresh ripe vegetables and fruit that are delivered from their little or not so little plot of plowed land.

Taking this principle of fresh ingredients to heart, anyone can then make their own pizza taste better and healthier than any veggie pizza on the market by creating their own pizza garden. Here’s how…

Choosing the Toppings:

There are endless toppings a person can choose from when designing their own pizza themed garden. So make sure to pick vegetables and fruit you actually enjoy eating. Although adding asparagus as a topping may sound chic and creative, it will not do much good if it simply gets picked off when the pizza is served.

Here are a few basic toppings most everyone in your family will enjoy and are easy to grow:

Fresh Tomatoes:

Tomatoes on top of a tomato based pizza sauce – yes you read that correctly. Adding thin (or thick depending on preference) slices of tomatoes as an additional toppings adds a greater depth to your pizza.

Pizza sauce (whether it includes meat or not) has a drastically different taste and flavor than that of fresh tomatoes. So don’t worry about having too much of a tomato flavor – fresh tomatoes are an excellent choice, and besides, who doesn’t grow tomatoes in a garden?

One tip to keep in mind is what type of tomato you want to grow and when will they actually produce. Some tomatoes are known for delivering in mid-summer, while others tend to hold off until the late summer months to produce a nice harvest.

Basil:

Basil is an amazing herb whose varieties are enjoyed in different cultures around the world. However, fresh Genovese Sweet Basil brings to life a dull pizza any day of the week, any hour of the day and any second of an hour.

Fortunately, basil grows easily with the tomatoes and are a great companion plant. In addition, basil enjoys the hotter weather and therefore is usually in full bloom around the same time tomatoes are producing making them not only compatible for the garden but for the pizza as well.

Here is a tip to keep in mind when using basil on your pizza. Never place basil on as a topping until the final minute of baking – and one can go so far as to say not until it comes out of the oven. This herb will dry up and lose its precious flavored natural oils if heated too fast and will leave you disappointed.

Green Peppers:

Not everything has to be as delicate as the tomato and basil pizza, but for those who have a natural leaning towards spicy foods, growing your own hot peppers can be an excellent choice for a pizza topping.

Peppers come in all sorts of varieties and it might be a good idea to plant a few different kinds to really mix things up from your red hot chili peppers to more mild banana peppers to even the crispy common green pepper.

Unlike the basil, peppers can be placed on a pizza before it goes into the oven and are liked by both those who favor meat toppings and those who prefer to go without.

Let’s Talk about the Dough:

Anyone can make a pizza dough at home. All it requires is olive oil, flour, yeast, lukewarm water and a dash of salt. You can also choose to buy your dough already made which many grocery stores will import from pizza makers in NY or PA and store in the freezer section where the breads are kept. Let the dough thaw over night in the refrigerator and you are ready to go the next day.

However, the easiest way to get your pizza dough is to buy the crust already precooked. The downside to this method is that it will most likely not have the “fresh” factor and quite frankly not all of them taste very good.

Here is a quick recipe for homemade pizza dough:

1. Start by dissolving 1 tsp salt into lukewarm water along with 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast in a large bowl
2. Then let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast foams a little
3. Gradually add 3 cups of flour to the water and knead until the dough becomes a smooth elastic like texture . You do not want the dough sticky, so gently add more flour a little at a time until the right consistency is achieved
4. Roll into a ball, cover and put in your fridge overnight. If you need it the same day, keep it out, covered, and wait for half an hour to an hour for it to rise
5. When ready, roll out onto a greased pizza pan and bake at 400F for about 8 to 15 minutes or depending on the thickness of the dough and toppings used.

Margarita Pizza:

This pizza is very popular in Italy and has its roots in Naples, Italy where it first became popular. It does not use a sauce but relies on fresh garden ingredients to satisfy the appetite.

1. To make a margarita pizza which uses two of the ingredients above simply slice your tomatoes (meaty ones are best such as Roma), and place them on the pizza crust.
2. Next, slice some fresh mozzarella balls to the same thickness of the tomatoes. The regular blocks of mozzarella will not work – it must be fresh – the kind which you will find near the deli. Place the slices on the crust as well, spacing them between the tomatoes trying not to overlap
3. Bake in a 400F oven for approximately 14 minutes making sure to check that the cheese does not burn.
4. Right before removing from the oven, sprinkle generously with your fresh basil leaves and leave for 1 minute or less
5. Remove from oven and have a taste of heaven!

About the writer: Pizza is enjoyed by everyone, and that includes writer Liz Krause who owns and operates her own Italian cooking website. She enjoys writing about recipes and reviews of various products from the Waring Pro meat grinder to pizza slicers. Liz grew up in an Italian home and understands the benefits of growing fresh ingredients in the backyard believing fresh food and simple ingredients are the best way to enjoy Italian cuisine!

 …and How to Stay Warm While You Wait!

If you are not a DYI guru, call a heating expert

Inevitably, the heating system in your home won’t fail on a crisp, October morning, but on the coldest, harshest day of the year! If the failure occurs in the morning on a weekday, you may be fortunate enough to have a repair professional available that day to set things right again. However, if it is evening, the weekend, or the repair businesses are busy, you may have to wait some time.

While you wait, take steps to help your home retain as much heat as possible. Leave your window coverings down and drawn. If you have south facing windows and it is a sunny day, open the blinds/curtains while those windows are in direct sun. Make sure all windows and doors are closed, and block any drafts that may be sneaking in around them.

If you use a space heater for temporary heat, make sure you heed all safety warnings and supervise children around these devices. No need to add a doctor bill on top of the repair bill. If you can, use the space heater to heat a small room, rather than a large, open area.

Rice socks are a great way to warm up your toes in bed at night. Pour plain white rice into a clean sock and firmly knot the end. Heat the sock in the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds or until the rice is very warm, but not too hot. Slip the rice sock under the covers at the foot of the bed. (A rice sock is fairly safe, but can still be very hot! Don’t put it on bare skin and please, supervise children so they don’t burn themselves!)

Now, on to getting that heating system fixed! Be sure to check that the problem isn’t something you can address without paying a costly repair bill. For example, check to see that the thermostat is set properly and that it is working properly. Consult your furnace’s operation manual. Some furnaces have a “reset” button that may solve all your problems! Or, perhaps the pilot light has gone out!

If the problem is not so easily identified and solved, it is time to bring in a heating professional. If you have not needed a HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) service in the past, you may not have anyone in mind to call. Assuming the situation is fairly urgent (as in our scenario above) you may not have much time to research. However, it is still a good idea to ask friends and relatives in the area for a recommendation.

Your local utility company may also have information about trusted heating ompanies in your area. Once you have a couple names, a quick search of online reviews will also give you an overview of your chosen companies before you call.

When you call, be sure you understand the heating contractor’s pricing and warranty policies before you agree to have them come out to your home. Trust your instincts—if a company doesn’t “feel” right based on a phone call, move on. On the other hand, if you have a great experience with a company, pass the word along, both by word-of-mouth and online. That way when a friend or neighbor is in the same boat as you, they will be more likely to find a heating company they can trust to do the repairs for them.

Sustainable landscape design combines beauty and practicality

Whether for resale value or just the daily enjoyment of your home, sustainable landscaping designs are great investments. 

Sure, you can create your own garden and landscaping plan.  But starting with a professional’s design ensures that all of the latest developments are incorporated.  After that initial stage, handling maintenance yourself will be simpler and more enjoyable. 

Rich Hayes of Green Acres Landscape in Indianapolis, IN, says homeowners should not underestimate the importance of good landscape design.  “It has been proven that the well planned, landscaped and maintained exterior of a home has a dramatic affect on the homeowner’s enjoyment and resale of a home.”

For example, to help homeowners become more educated, Hayes explains the maintenance involved in installing water features. This helps the make educated choices on not only what looks good, but what will benefit the environment and work for their family’s lifestyle. 

 Green Acres strives to be a sustainable business working with sustainable landscapes. From a business started in Rich’s garage in 1986, today the company is a  full-service, well staffed landscape contractor. Hayes says he works hard to leave the Green Acres’ “mark of quality and exceptional service in the Indianapolis  landscape industry  by having a clear mission of setting standards for the highest quality and sustainable landscape plants, products and professional workmanship to enhance and simplify our customer’s quality of life.” 

Landscape architects and professional designers know how to incorporate sustainable products and designs to complement your family’s lifestyle.  They take the information gathered from your family, as well as a complete survey of the land, climate and exposure on your property, and create a comprehensive design. 

But not every landscape designer is experienced in sustainable practices, and that’s one of Hayes’ pet peeves.  “Many landscape companies are doing projects with little or no expertise,” says Hayes. That type of work undermines the industry and “eventually involves cutting corners and service in some manner.” 

As more homeowners continue to stay closer to home it will drive the desire to create more inviting outdoor living spaces for their enjoyment.  Hayes warns homeowners that shoddy workmanship may not be obvious at first, but shows up in unstable walls or patios and substandard plantings over time. 

Landscape Design for a Backyard Sanctuary

A sustainable home carries that principle from property line to property line and everything in between.  The backyard is no exception. As with every home improvement investment, Hayes says homeowners must be educated before they embark on a project.  He offers these 7 tips for hiring a professional landscape contractor. 

1. Research and know as much as possible about the contractor they are looking to hire.
2. Understand the process of completing a project vs. your own expectations.
3. Ask about payment details, special promotions, discounts, warranties, guarantees, maintenance, requirements before the job starts.
4. Know the contact person for your job and what the schedule of completion is.  Insist the workforce shows up on time, everytime.
5. Offer your input is valuable. Hire a contractor who also thinks it’s important.
6. Insist that the workforce be professional and courteous and leave the jobsite organized and clean at the end of each work day.
7. Look for a landscape contractor who is knowledgeable in providing sustainable solutions in his design and installation. 

Hayes says Green Acres Landscape holds to its core values “even when no one is looking.”  They encourage homeowners to compost and haul any landscape waste to their nursery for recycling or composting whenever possible.

Originally posted 2010-03-04 11:32:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Signs of a Good Year

Home Improvement projects often show up high on homeowner’s list of New Year’s resolutions.  But without proper planning it’s easy to spend too much or hire a disreputable contractor.  Then the home improvement project that should bring you joy turns into a home improvement nightmare.

Here’s a list of five New Year’s resolutions that will help bring you peace and joy in the New Year:

1. I will do my research online weather I am hiring a home improvement contractor or doing it myself.

2. I will not pick the first home improvement contractor that shows up in a Google search or has the best looking website.

3. I will ask for and check at least three references.

4. I will check with the local contractor’s board or licensing agency to see if there are any complaints against the home improvement contractor AND see how it was resolved.

5. I won’t make a decision until I have attended my local home and garden show and met the home improvement contractor I am going to hire. Here is a list of the best home and garden shows in North America: http://www.hgsei.com/

When there’s a bumper crop of fresh herbs, the best way to preserve them is in oil. Here’s a great recipe to do this.

1. Pluck leaves from the stems and pack them down in a measuring cup.
2. Place two hard-packed cups of herbs in a blender or food processor.
3. Add 1 cup of good-quality cooking oil (such as extra-virgin olive oil) and blend until pureed.
4. Place in small containers, cover tightly and freeze.

Oil brings out the flavors of herbs. This method will keep them fresh up to six months. It works especially well with:

• Fresh dill
• Tarragon
• Oregano
• Sage
• Mints
• Lemon
• Thyme
• Basil

Dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh herbs, so when substituting dried herbs for fresh, the ratio is one measure of dried herbs to three of fresh. This also works in reverse.

How much of a fresh herb to add to a recipe is a personal decision. Use common sense and Barclay’s axiom- “Stop adding when it turns green.” Fresh herbs will not overpower a dish as easily as dried, so do not be too concerned about overdoing it.

To chop herbs finely and quickly, place leaves in a bowl and use scissors to snip.

From NGC Club Program Lesson Plan #4, “Enchanting, Useful & Romantic Herbs.” Available from Member Services. With special thanks to Nell Denman, NGC Mentors Committee Chair.

Other Herb Articles:
Creeping Winter Savory Is Tasty Addition to Any Garden
Locating and Planning Your Herb Garden

Originally posted 2010-11-28 07:00:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas

Saunas and their relatives (like the Native American sweat lodge and the Japanese onsen) have been in use for thousands of years, offering health benefits and relaxation to users.  Traditional saunas are wood or electrically heated. Steam is created by pouring water over heated rocks.

In the 1900s a new type of sauna—infrared—was introduced, developed independently in Germany and Japan, promising the same (some say greater) health and relaxation benefits with the added perk of energy efficiency (infrared saunas don’t need extended “preheat” times like a traditional sauna).

This newer technology uses infrared light as its heat source. Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light. It is divided into three categories—near, mid- and far infrared—with the wavelengths in each category becoming successively longer.

Both traditional saunas and infrared saunas are designed to induce sweating, which is believed to have many health benefits. Steam saunas rely on very hot air to heat the body, so the room temperature of a traditional sauna is quite high. In an infrared sauna, long-wavelength light hitting the body is the heat source. Because of this, the air temperature inside the sauna stays cooler than a traditional sauna. In a sauna powered by far infrared light, the “heat” source stays cool to the touch!

Types of Infrared Saunas

There are three types of infrared saunas. The first resembles a traditional sauna—a structure resembling a mini-house that can be installed either indoors or outside. The second is tent, in which you sit with your head sticking out. In the third type of infrared sauna, you actually lie down in what looks like a dome or a bag.

Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas

Many health claims have been made about the use of infrared saunas. Although most claims remain unproven, there appears to be some evidence that the use of these saunas relieves pain and stiffness in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions. They may be helpful as a complimentary treatment to patients with heart problems, mild depression, and chronic pain. However, as with many alternative/complimentary treatments, the benefit claims often become inflated and unreliable. If you are considering purchasing an infrared sauna to help with a medical condition, it is imperative that you do so in consultation with your physician.

Try Before You Buy

The simple fact is that different users will experience different results—some may find an infrared sauna a helpful tool to improve their health and relaxation, while others will not find it beneficial. Because a sauna is a significant investment, it is recommended that you first locate a spa or health club in your area that offers an infrared sauna experience. Try it out, several times if possible, before you make your final decision on whether to purchase.

Find a Reputable Infrared Sauna Dealer

Finding a reputable dealer for an infrared sauna is not unlike the process to find a good car dealer or contractor. Do your homework! Look for reviews online and talk to friends and colleagues. Talk to the spa or health club where you do your “test drive.” Look at the different types of saunas. What fits your budget, space constraints, and personal preferences?

After you’ve completed your research, make a list of potential sources and call them. Find out what their warranties and return policies are. Are they open about your various options, or do they try to push you one direction or another? How helpful are they with your questions about installation and use?

One more thing to keep in mind, depending upon the type of sauna you choose, you may need to have an electrician wire a separate plug in your home to accommodate the power needs of the unit.

An Infrared Sauna Can Provide Relaxation and Enjoyment

Carefully researched and properly installed, an infrared sauna can be a wonderful addition to your home. This updated form of a tradition that stretches back thousands of years offers a convenient path to health and relaxation.

Do you lie awake at night worrying about your carbon footprint, the ozone layer or our rain forests? We can all make a difference in a variety of ways. We’re here to offer some resources to get you started with our list of the top 10 Twitter experts talking about renewable energy on Twitter.

Each one offers a different perspective so you can choose which fits your lifestyle best. My personal tip: Stop worrying and get a good night’s sleep. Each morning your body will provide you with new energy to help save our planet!

1. Our gold star, first-place pick is www.twitter.com/molfamily. Michael O’Loughlin produces the Pacific Northwest’s largest sustainable lifestyle festival, The Better Living Show. Get yourself to the Portland (OR) Expo Center on March 26-28, 2010, because admission is free. On the show’s website, www.betterlivingshow.org, you’ll see all the tempting reasons to book your flight early, including earth-friendly products for your home and garden, an eco-fashion show, earth-friendly hair and makeup demonstrations, kids activities, a natural kitchen stage and keynote speaker, Daryl Hannay. This super-size festival also features Support Women Artists Now, the largest grassroots movement in the world celebrating women artists. What a great way to spend spring break with your girlfriends!

2. www.twitter.com/WindPowerSystem makes our second spot. Peter Ralph’s website www.MyWindPowerSystem.com advocates making wind-powered turbines more attractive to add beauty to their surroundings and increase community involvement in wind-power projects. His site provides reader-friendly information about solar power, tidal energy and geothermal energy. Here’s where you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to build a windmill as well as a supplier guide for wind- and solar-power projects.

3. We know you want to save money even while you save the environment. www.twitter.com/doitngreenE is committed to helping you reduce your carbon footprint, live a healthy lifestyle and save money. Timothy Davis doesn’t just rely on facts and figures to convince us of the worthiness of his goals. He shares inspirational quotes from his favorite philosophers, such as, “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough” (Lao Tzu). His refreshing approach makes it more likely that you’ll want to know about eco-friendly auto detailing or the benefits of using LED lights in your home.

4. You’ve got to check out www.twitter.com/buildinggreentv. I was drawn in the moment I clicked on their website www.buildinggreentv.com. Did you know that you can build a 100% natural, fully insulated house from mud, sand & straw? It’s called a cob house. What I like most is that they use beautiful photos, video stories and interesting articles to educate us on aspects of renewable energy. You’ll see the benefits of white rooftops, pre-fab houses and learn about Swap-O-Rama. They even let readers in on how they manage environmentally friendly filming using veggie-oil to run all of their production vehicles.

5. www.twitter.com/sheagunther isn’t written for bio-nuclear scientists. It’s written for regular people like you and me. Shea Gunther is part of the Mother Nature Network which is committed to helping everyone make the Earth a better place to live. The network has original programs, news articles, blogs, videos and guides. Alaskan teen builds eco-car, Green Schools 101, 40 Farmers Under 40 and Green Cell Phones all sparked my curiosity. It’s nice to see positive news for a change!

6. www.twitter.com/fuelinggood is Robert White’s soapbox on switching to ethanol. White is convincing that ethanol is America’s ticket to self-reliance and lower gasoline bills. Ethanol is a clean, renewable fuel and more automobile manufacturers accept higher blends of ethanol in gasoline. He encourages readers to share stories to become a part of the discussion about renewable fuel.

7. www.twitter.com/RenewableEnergyTV earned a well-deserved spot at the seventh position. If you need a break from reading and want to take in some cool videos, check out some of his videos. They’ve got fashionable solar panels, China’s electric car power, the future of electric vehicles, a tour of the United States’ First Solar Power Tower, an Earth Day trailer and a state of the art home that produces more energy than it consumes…all in one place.

8. www.twitter.com/BuildBabyBuild was my first stop before visiting the grass-roots site www.buildbabybuild.com, a platform for community leaders and supporters of community-based projects and anyone who is committed to a cleaner, more stable future. One of the most interesting features is a map where you can find US cities, towns, commercial sites, and homes powered by renewable energy.

9. Are you a news junkie? www.twitter.com/GreenEnergyBrf will definitely interest you. You’ll find talk on politics, company news, legislative and policy updates and investment insights. They cover all renewable energy news from Washington to Wall Street to Silicon Valley, and they update twice daily, so you know your news is fresh!

10. www.twitter.com/SKYRenewable is a smaller, yet intriguing stop in the Twitterverse. Being environmentally friendly shouldn’t be a hassle. So this tweeter is committed to making it easy for us with some clever tips like reusing your ketchup bottle as a pancake batter dispenser. One tip: Opt-out of your white and yellow pages directories and save 19 million trees per year. Quirky as it may seem, you’ll discover that watermelons can be turned into the bio-fuel ethanol.

If you find yourself lying awake tonight deciding whether to start building your own windmill or raiding the fruit and veggie bin to make your own ethanol, check out our top ten renewable energy tweeters. Or, maybe you have some ideas of your own to share with us. We want to hear from you. Leave us a comment below, and let us know what you have done or who you’ve discovered talking about renewable energy on Twitter.

Originally posted 2009-09-08 10:00:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Happy dog!

A staggering three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized in the US every year. That’s more than 10,000 animals per day and over 400 per hour.

It’s easy to understand, with numbers like these, how animal shelters across the country are literally bursting at the seams with unwanted animals. These sobering statistics shine a stark light on the need for education about and availability of spaying and neutering of companion animals.

To help reduce these staggering euthanasia numbers, Animal Friends, a premier companion animal resource center, has embarked on a comprehensive, community-wide spay/neuter initiative to reduce, and eventually eliminate, pet overpopulation in southwestern Pennsylvania. This program targets counties like Allegheny, where 25,000 abandoned or homeless companion animals enter shelters each year, and of those, 10,000 are euthanized because adoptive homes can’t be found.

Animal Friends is a non-profit companion animal resource center serving the needs of pets and people since 1943. Their progressive programs have been nationally recognized and include:

• Humane rescue
• Shelter and adoption services for over 2,500 pets annually
• Humane education
• Pet behavior classes
• Pet-assisted therapy
• Wellness programs
• Community-wide spay/neuter programs

Animal Friends, who’s motto is “Thinking outside the cage,” is supported by donations, 700 volunteers and a staff dedicated to ensuring the well being of companion animals and ending overpopulation, abuse and unwarranted euthanasia.

Currently the organization is undergoing a massive effort to go community by community in southwestern Pennsylvania to attack the pet overpopulation problem from low-income pet owners who can’t afford spaying, feral cat colony caregivers and pit bull owners. They also assist smaller organizations that lack spay/neuter programs.

There are three key components of the Animal Friends initiative:

1. Low-Cost Spay Neuter Program. This program provides financial assistance to low-income pet owners so they can obtain spay/neuter services. It has been working to relieve pet overpopulation since 1993 and has spayed and neutered over 30,000 animals, preventing births of over 2.5 million unwanted pets. 
2. In-house Spay/Neuter Services. With the addition of this program in 2008, Animal Friends has already performed over 4,000 surgeries on pets of low-income pet owners who can’t afford to pay for the surgery at a veterinarian’s office. 
3. Mobile Resource Center. This 30-foot vehicle serves as a mobile spay/neuter clinic and is the only unit of its kind in western Pennsylvania. This mobile clinic allows Animal Friends to travel to the pets who need them the most.

Part of the education process is helping pet owners understand why spaying and neutering is important beyond the staggering euthanasia statistics. Having a pet spayed or neutered also helps to:

• Reduce the pet’s risk of cancer and infection
• Make the pet less likely to run away
• Ensure a calmer, happier animal companion.

Unfortunately, there are still several myths that persist regarding spaying and neutering. The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) effectively tackles these myths and the related facts here.

Given the rural nature of much of southwestern Pennsylvania, unwanted pets are frequently dumped, left to fend for themselves. Caring locals often attempt to tend for these animals, willingly taking on financial hardship to keep them alive and safe. One such angel is Kathy.

Feral cat eyeing dinner.

The cat problem in the rural area where Kathy lives first became apparent when her dogs attacked the strays that came into her fenced yard. Fearing for the cats’ safety, she carefully monitored her dogs and sought help for the cats.

First she turned to the township, which refused to intervene unless the animals were rabid. Next, the local animal control agency told her cats were difficult to catch, so they wouldn’t be able to help her either.

Ironically, it was at her allergist’s office that Kathy heard of Animal Friends’ Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program. She learned that she could obtain a spay/neuter voucher to take to a local veterinarian who works with Animal Friends, significantly reducing the expense of the surgery. She initially took about 10 cats to be altered, and was delighted that she had solved the problem. But soon a pregnant cat was dropped off, adding five kittens to her property.

Kathy continues to commit to ensuring that the cats survive but don’t reproduce. Even though she’s had times of financial difficulty, she keeps working with Animal Friends to obtain the vouchers. She has used birthday and Christmas money, wrapped coins, and even her winnings from a lottery ticket to support her mission. Friends have donated money as well, and she and her husband have raised additional funds through recycling aluminum cans.

The irony in Kathy’s cause is that her allergies prevent her from bringing the cats into her home. So Kathy and her husband enclosed a porch to provide a warm place for the cats to winter. Having altered 17 cats this year alone, she is nearly caught up, but was delayed just a bit by family medical bills and vet bills for her husky.

Surprisingly, Kathy has never even visited Animal Friends, but she doesn’t hesitate to express her gratitude for the service they make available to her. When a cat shows up, she calls Nancy Hanson, Animal Friends‘ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Counselor, to arrange for the surgery locally. “Nancy has been so helpful every time I call,” Kathy says. “Whenever I need help, she’s there.” If cats in Kathy’s care could talk, they would surely say the same about her.

Originally posted 2009-06-14 08:58:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter