The eat local movement need not only apply to humans. You can significantly reduce the food miles involved in your pet's diet as much as you can your own. After all, when you think about it, the concept of "grocery shopping" for your animal aren't all that different than doing it for yourself: aisles (granted not as many) of food shipped in from other parts of the country or the world, many of it in cans that weigh a significant amount.

Though it will obviously be a bit more of a challenge to find locally-produced dog food and treats, if you live in a larger center, it's definitely possible. Small shops and companies catering to your pet's every need have become the business du jour. In fact, that's where you can begin. Find a local pet bakery or food producer in your area. Pet stores that specialize in more natural foods, treats and toys may be able to point you in the right direction and may actually carry some of these items that are made by local producers. The store where we buy our dog's food carries a couple of brands of dog biscuits that are made in our city. We like being able to support a local business while at the same time buying a product that wasn't trucked in from hundreds of miles away. Our furry "child" certainly doesn't complain either. If you live in a small area and no pet food-maker is available, find out if the pet store can recommend some food made as close to where you live as possible.

Another place you may find treats that are made in your own backyard is of course, the hub of locally-produced food: your farmer's market. Our local market has been another source of cookies and were conveniently located right around from the market's bakery for humans. We made it a habit to start with the bakery for a delicious cookie or pastry for ourselves and then pick up a treat to take home to the dog. An added bonus of buying treats there was that we could talk directly to the person who had made them and ask questions about the products. That's certainly a luxury you don't usually receive when you buy something from a store shelf.

Finally, if you venture into the world of cooking for your pet, you can supply a diet that is almost completely local. Visit a local butcher for meat, buy vegetables and grains from the market or a local grower.

» Ecollo (Eat Local)

Maybe you don't have to go to the farmers' market to pick up fresh blueberries - perhaps you've been growing them yourself. If you've undertaken that particular task and are experiencing a similar issue as some Canadian farmers from British Columbia, who have found their blueberry crops are the victim of visiting birds, don't feel like you need to use a propane-powered cannon to rid yourself of the problem the way these farmers are.

Instead, take the suggestion of Karen Steensma, a professor at Trinity Western University, who believes that attracting American kestrels (a small falcon) to the area can be just as effective in scaring the birds away - minus the emissions and noise pollution caused by a cannon of course. Simply installing a nesting box for the kestrels may be enough to resolve the issue - just ask a test site in Washington, who saw a 30 per cent crop loss of cherries fall to just one per cent after the kestrels made their appearance.

To build your own kestrel nesting box, all you need is one board measuring 1" x 10" by 8", two hinges, two hinges, 1 1/2" galvanized nails and some sire.

Construction:

1. Mark and cut out the pieces as shown.

2. Cut a 3" diameter entrance hole in the front piece, 11 ½" from the bottom edge.

3. Drill two ¼" holes near the top edge of both side pieces. Drill four ¼" holes in the floor piece, as shown, to allow for drainage.

4. Assemble the box as shown in the diagram.

5. Attach the roof on top of the box using two hinges, for easy cleaning access.

6. Place one nail in the side of the roof and one nail in the face of the adjoining side piece, as shown in the diagram, so that they line up vertically. Use wire tied around the two nails to keep the roof closed to predators.

7. Place 2-3" of wood shavings on the bottom of the box.

These nesting boxes can apparently increase the number of nesting kestrel pairs in a given area by a significant amount, and said kestrels can keep watch over a whole 10 acres or orchard property.

Hit the jump to see an illustration of the nest box plans, as well as for tips on where to place your box and how to properly install it.

» Maryland Department of Natural Resources

I sat in the truck as it drove to the Rockhampton airport and reflected on the two weeks I had spent living with the wallabies. I certainly have a number of truly unique memories from the experience including, but not limited to, getting bitten by a hungry baby wallaby, an encounter with one of the world’s deadliest snakes, the chance to spend time up close with a koala and spent Australia Day with the wombats at a fundraiser. I believe that other people should take the opportunity to participate in volunteer vacations if they have the chance. I would however like to offer some tips based on my experiences in Australia. 


Volunteer Vacation Tips!

1. While it is a good idea to use the volunteer connection organizations to find out about projects, make sure you ask where your money is going and decide if you are getting value from your involvement with them. In my experience, GoEco didn’t really do too much for the $350 I gave them.  From the perspective of the conservation organization, they didn’t receive a lot of information about myself or the other incoming volunteers, despite the application forms that we were required to fill out. However, this may not be true of all organizations and was merely my experience with GoEco.

2. Connect with the project directly and ask as many questions as you can about the daily schedule of activities, work requirements, clothing, weather and other things, so that you can come as prepared as possible for the experience you are about to embark. The better prepared you are, the better the experience will be.

3. After talking to the conservation organization, have an honest conversation with yourself. Will you be able to pick up wallaby feces in +40C weather? Are you comfortable working in conditions that are often dirty and have bugs? Are you able to wake up every day at 4:30am for a month? It is much better to reflect on your abilities before you make a commitment to volunteer.

4. Be realistic about the time you are going to contribute. It costs the organization tremendous amounts of money to have their volunteers leave early. You can always stay longer if you enjoy it and there is space available but it really leaves the project staff in a bind if they were counting on having a certain number of hands to get the job done and you leave them on unexpectedly.

5. Go into the experience with honest intentions. The people who run these projects, particularly those at Project Kial, know what they are doing and what works for their organization. They are the experts in their field of work and are willing to teach you what they know if you are willing to listen and learn.

6. Communication is essential at the project site. With the Kial Project, things are pretty remote so you are in close quarters with a lot of different personalities. Things aren’t always easy and like most human endeavors don’t always run as smoothly as we would like them to. However, those experiences can be really great stories of learning if you approach the situations with a relaxed attitude. If you are having trouble in any way make sure you talk to the project staff to address it. Communication is the key to making sure everyone has a great experience!

7. Come prepared to work! You have not signed up for an all-inclusive vacation by the beach. The project coordinators are looking forward to your arrival so they have time to work on other projects. You are there to volunteer and actually help them out instead of create more work.

While I won’t miss the bugs, the heat and the wallaby poop, I think often of my new friends, both human and animal. Many of these volunteer projects would not be able to survive if it were not for the international volunteers that donate their time and effort. Project Kial is no exception. The government of Australia has cut all funding to endangered species projects in favour of those that support action on climate change. If you are interested in learning more about Project Kial and their effort to save endangered Australian species, please visit their website at http://www.aace.org.au/projectkial.htm. On their website they also have a list of desired donations and every little bit helps get this endangered species back on its feet.

» Project Kial

Volunteer vacations are a growing trend in the travel industry as people look to give a little something back in exchange for a unique experience. Like most others who are attracted to this type of vacation, I was looking for a great opportunity that would result in some wonderful memories I could share with those at home. As described in my last article, I boarded a series of planes and hopped in a truck that would take me to Project Kial, located outside of the remote village of Marlborough, one hour north of Rockhampton, Queensland.

Project Kial is a conservation action project run by the Australian Animals Care and Education organization, that aims to return the endangered bridled nail-tail wallaby (aka the ‘Bridles’) back to a protected wild habitat. An extremely dedicated family oversees this project, but they also work to help as many other animals in distress as they can. They have a tremendous success rate with a variety of lizards, snakes, wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, sugar gliders and wombats. As a part of their program they also work to educate Australians and visitors about the importance of conservation efforts and the challenges faced by many of their unique native species. The family has been spearheading the wallaby project since 2003 but has been working with other native species for many more years.

The work of volunteers at Project Kial is highly valued and extremely important. When volunteers arrive they give the family a well-deserved break from animal care which allows them time to work on other projects that help move the goals of the organization forward. They always seem to have many projects on the go which volunteers are able to help with if they so choose. During my time at the sanctuary a new wombat enclosure was being constructed and more breeding pens for the ‘Bridles’ were being finished for the growing populations. One of their goals for the future also includes partnering with researchers to be able to learn more about the various native species around the sanctuary, particularly the wombats that they encounter in their work.

While our schedule was laid out pretty much the same each day, each day brought something new and exciting. As I mentioned before we started work around 5:00am to avoid having to work under the harsh Australian sun, which starts to become almost unbearable around 8:30am. In those first few morning hours, several tasks had to take place. My job was to start by cleaning out a number of wallaby pens, ranging from the quite small pens with females and their joeys (baby wallabies) to large pens with up to thirteen animals living there. When I say cleaning out I mean the following glamorous tasks: 1) remove all remaining food from the night before and rinse feeder; 2) scrub water dish and replace with clean water; and 3) the most important task – scoopin’ the poop. I can tell you from experience that wallabies do take care of business – a lot. Once my fellow volunteers and I had spent some quality time in the enclosures with the “Bridles”, it was time to take care of the rest of the animals that were scattered in enclosures around the property. I was given the task of cleaning the sugar and squirrel glider cages and making sure the skinks and shingleback lizards were properly taken care of.

The rest of the day was spent expending as little energy as possible. Typically I would head for the shade of the trailer and the comfort of my bed for a couple of hours after work. I would then have lunch and spend the afternoon visiting with the other volunteers and the family. Our work would start again around 5:30pm when the mobs of kangaroos, wallabies, gliders, birds, wombats and koala would be looking for their daily meal. Feed-out as it’s called, was a great opportunity to get pictures of the animals and watch the sunset over the nearby hills. In the evenings we would eat a great meal cooked by the family and enjoy each other’s company by telling jokes and sharing stories. The great thing about this experience is that there are people from all over the world there so you get to learn a lot about other countries and customs.

My time at Project Kial was a great learning experience in so many ways. I truly enjoyed myself and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. If you’re looking for a little adventure and a chance to make a difference on your next holiday I would recommend trying out a volunteer vacation. That being said, this type of work is not for everyone. In the final installment of my Australia volunteer adventure I outline my recommendations for anyone who wants to take on this kind of challenge. Keep visiting the Ecollo website to find out more!

» Project Kial

It’s 4:30am when I hear the kookaburra’s calling to each other from the distant eucalyptus trees. While I’m not that enthused about getting up at this hour, I know that if I stay in bed, it will only get harder. I can hear movement in the next room and know that it is definitely time to get the day started. Heading to the cookhouse for breakfast, I nod sleepily to the other drowsy faces, who don’t look any more energetic than I feel. The coolness of the morning is welcome after the +40C days we have been having since I arrived. After grabbing a hat and slathering on some sunscreen I head with my broom and bucket to start my first job of the morning. Another day has begun.

In the fall of 2009 I decided I wanted to do something a little different for my winter vacation. Looking for holiday ideas online, I found several organizations that set up volunteer vacations for interested parties. Historically, these vacations have been associated with graduating high school students who have decided to take a ‘gap year’ to travel and spend some time giving back in a variety of projects. Volunteer vacations are a growing travel trend and there are many connection organizations online that, for a fee, link volunteers with not-for-profit organizations that are looking for willing and able bodies for their various projects.

The activities and locations are as varied as the people who now apply for these types of vacations. A quick search on the web shows opportunities throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America and Australia. Depending on your interests you can work with community social projects, animals or in the environment doing a number of conservation efforts. The options are endless. The great thing about many of these opportunities is that a person can volunteer alone, with a friend or with a group of people, it just depends on the capacity of the project and the type of work they are doing.

Australia has always held a special fascination for me because of its unique wildlife, beautiful beaches and laid back culture, and I’m not going to lie; the idea of hot weather in the middle of the typically frigid Canadian winter also had a certain attraction. Having planned to visit the country in 2010 anyways, I went looking for an opportunity to do something unique while I was there. One of the volunteer connection organizations, GoEco, was offering the chance to assist with an endangered species project in rural Queensland and I jumped at the chance to work with distinct native animals. To start the process I completed an online application form, which had me describe my qualifications and myself as an individual, as well as what my expectations were for my volunteer experience. After a couple of days I received confirmation that my application had been accepted and the weeks I had chosen were available to accept another volunteer. The minimum requirement for volunteering at the endangered species project was two weeks but this varies between projects and what you are personally able to give. Along with my confirmation to volunteer, I was sent an information package.  It contained an outline of the project that I would be volunteering for and orientation documents that discussed the possible culture shock that could be experienced by visiting and working in another country. I was also contacted by one of GoEco’s staff members to answer any additional questions that I may have had. Then on January 12th, 2010 I boarded the first of a series of planes bound for Rockhampton, Australia. I was ready for the adventure, a bit nervous about the unknown but excited to tackle the new experiences that awaited me in the remote Australian outback.

For more about my volunteer vacation experience and recommendations if you are considering your own adventure, stay tuned for Volunteer Vacation Adventure part two.

» Go Eco

Spring is here, and the Easter holiday is fast approaching.  This is the time of year when many of us are decorating and getting ready to hunt easter eggs and celebrate with friends and family.  Unfortunately many of the items that we associate with Easter can be very dangerous to our furry, four legged family members.  Let’s face it, cats and dogs can have a habit of getting into many things that they are not supposed to.  Here is a list of some common Easter items that can be harmful, and even deadly to your pets.

1.     The Easter Lilly:  Easter lilies are very popular plants this time of year, and it is no wonder since they grow beautiful, large white flowers and are inexpensive.  Unfortunately easter lilies are very toxic to dogs and cats.  Even ingesting a small amount of plant can severly poison them.  If you have pets in your house, the easter lily is definitely a plant to avoid.
Instead:  Bring in a miniature rose plant, or a gerber daisy plant to brighten up your indoor space in a pet friendly way.  If you are unsure about a plant, be sure to check out the ASPCA website for a full list of plants and their toxicity level.  
2.     Chocolate:  Chocolate is incredibly toxic to dogs in particular.  The combination of caffeine and therbromine stimulants can cause nervousness, excitability, vomiting, increased heart rate, coma and even death.  Generally, the darker and more pure the chocolate the higher the risk.  For example, if your dog accidently eats a “cheap chocolate, creamy candy filled” easter treat, the risk is a lot less than if he ate a 80% organic, pure chocolate treat.
Instead:  Hmmm...I love my animals dearly, but am not about to give up my high quality organic, fair trade chocolate.  Just keep it out of reach of your four legged family members.  If you have small children, make sure they know that chocolate is a no no for their pets as well.
3.     Easter Grass:  Yes, it looks lovely and decorative in easter baskets, however this shredded plastic is very appealing to animals, especially cats.  In face, it is up there with Christmas tree tinsel for dangerous foreign objects that can be ingested and then clog up their digestive systems.  In the worst cases, it can wrap around their intestines, which requires surgery to fix.  Besides being bad for pets, Easter grass is also such an monetary and environmental waste.  So we really need to pay for shredded plastic that will just end up in the garbage?

Instead: There are many cool alternatives for lining Easter baskets.
    -colored popcorn
    -craft supplies (pop-poms, stickers, foam shapes, markers, glitter glue sticks,  etc.)  Of course, you still want these out of reach of pets, but they are a much for practical and useful gift for children than plastic grass.
    -clothes (colorful socks, headbands, etc.
    -shredded paper.  If you must have something “grassy” that Easter basket, go for shredded colorful paper.  Much less dangerous to pets, and much better for the environment.
    -a container of cat grass.  Easily found in pet stores, it looks great and natural in baskets, and the pets will appreciate having something they are allowed to chew on.

4.     Plastic Easter eggs and little plastic Easter toys:  If it walks like a cat/dog toy, and quacks like a cat/dog toy, then guess what.......they are going to think it is their toy. Cheap plastic Easter eggs, bunnies, etc. look like pet toys, however they were never designed to be chewed on by an excited pet.  The plastic breaks apart very easily, and can cause major problems to their digestive systems.

Instead:  I’m sorry.  Between happy meals, birthday party goody bags, etc.  Kids nowadays have way too many cheap little plastic toys.  If they are like the ones Little Leafy Green brings home, they end up collecting dust at the bottom of the toy chest because they are not that interesting and have also broken after two minutes of play.  Avoid the cheap plastic garbage and buy something useful.  Again, craft supplies,or a skipping rope, soccer ball or a bubble wand to enjoy in the warmer weather.

With a little creativity and common sense, Easter can be a holiday that is fun and safe for the entire family.

» ASPCA