Sizzle’s pet project
Is there a way to have a new conversation about the environment which creates surprise, addresses fundamental issues and avoids harmful polarisation?
The British love their pets and research reveals that pet ownership has health benefits. Dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels and are at a reduced risk of heart disease than non-owners. There are also psychological benefits with pet owners less prone to loneliness, anxiety and depression. However, pet ownership has environmental implications, with suggestions that a medium sized dog has a carbon footprint the size of an SUV. There are other impacts including plastic waste from pet food/products, plus risks that pet waste can contaminate soil and water.
A large part of the carbon footprint is linked to the pet’s diet, exacerbated by the fact that many are overweight - affecting their health and adding to expensive vet bills. A changing climate could also have health impacts with increased risks of heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration particularly amongst brachycephalic dog breeds.
As the implications of climate change becomes more apparent, a spotlight is likely to increasingly shine on the environmental impact of pets. As with other areas of this debate, there is a danger that the environmental dialogue around pets could become contentious and accusatory. It is necessary to consider the deep affection that people have for their pets, the welfare of the pets themselves and the proven benefits that they give owners.
To pre-empt a ‘them and us’ conversation, Sizzle is considering leading a new constructive discussion. We are aiming to explore the ways that people can have a healthy pet with minimal environmental impact. As a not-for-profit company established to deliver environmental, financial and social benefits, we can act as an authoritative catalyst. Using our position will enable us to get an honest and open overview of the situation from a diverse range of stakeholders.
Our intention is to secure knowledge through widespread consultation, creating a unique cross-sectoral picture of both the challenges and the opportunities involved in having a healthy pet with reduced environmental impact. These findings would enable interested organisations to explore new solutions and areas for collaboration.
The research will identify different approaches which would generate further understanding. These approaches might include:
Localised awareness and behaviour change campaigns with pet owners.
Working with suppliers/retailers to help with the evolution of products and services.
Exploring the legislative framework to see if positive changes can be introduced.
Engaging with vets, influencers, NGOs etc. to build a more informed debate.
If any of these approaches generate interest from stakeholders, Sizzle would create diverse collaborations in order to provide new information and a more informed debate.
We are excited by the potential of the approach but would welcome views from others. Would this be beneficial, what work already exists, and would you like to be involved? Do get in touch at trewin@sizzle.org.uk.
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