What It Takes to Start and Run a Sustainable Pet Business

May 6, 2025 / susanbulanda / Leave a comment

by guest blogger, Cindy Aldridge, cindy@ourdogfriends.org

There’s a gentle rebellion happening in quiet corners of cities and suburbs alike. People are building businesses that don’t bulldoze the planet, especially in the pet care space, where ethics and affection collide. You see it in the compostable poop bags, the cruelty-free shampoos, the local, low-waste doggy daycares. If you’re someone who cares about the environment and can’t help but coo at a golden retriever in booties, starting a pet care business rooted in sustainability may feel less like a career and more like a calling. But make no mistake, it still demands spreadsheets, sweat, and strategy. You can’t just wing it with good intentions and a compost bin.

Choose Your Niche

Don’t let the word “pet” fool you; it’s a wide world out there. From high-end grooming vans with solar panels to subscription boxes for gerbils, the possibilities spiral fast. Start by picking one lane and owning it. The most grounded way to do that is to look into profitable pet services already out there and ask yourself where your values intersect with demand. Is it organic pet treats? Low-stimulation dog walking for senior pups? Think like a caretaker, but plan like a capitalist. Even good hearts need to keep the lights on.

Sustainable Practices

This is where your ideals become infrastructure. Sustainability in pet care goes beyond tossing recyclables in the blue bin. If you’re opening a pet grooming studio, swap single-use plastics for glass or biodegradable alternatives. For in-home services, plan routes efficiently to reduce emissions or offer virtual check-ins for anxious pet parents. There’s a growing movement encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace sustainability without tanking your bottom line. Even small gestures like repurposing towels or using local suppliers can build credibility. You’re not just cutting waste, you’re creating a business with a conscience.

Licensing and Legalities

Paperwork doesn’t purr, but it keeps you out of trouble. You’ll need a business license, possibly animal-specific certifications, and maybe even zoning approvals depending on your location. Insurance is non-negotiable. And don’t forget the money—it costs to register, insure, and outfit a startup, especially one where animals are involved. A breakdown of the costs to start a pet sitting or dog walking business might open your eyes to how quickly expenses can stack up. Budget more than you think and plan for the surprises. They always come.

Build Your Business Know-How

It’s tempting to believe that passion alone will carry you, but the truth is that a little financial fluency goes a long way. If profit margins and marketing metrics make your eyes glaze over, consider going back to school—seriously. A flexible business management degree program can give you the vocabulary and structure you need to turn a dream into a functioning, ethical company. Most online programs are designed for busy people juggling work, pets, and life. Don’t mistake this as fluff education. It’s a power move for anyone who wants to play the long game.

Marketing and Community Engagement

The best customers are the ones who believe in your mission as much as your services. To reach them, get local. Partner with eco-conscious pet brands, show up at green markets, host adoption events. Most importantly, start telling stories on Instagram, via email newsletters, at meetups. You don’t need a PR firm to build a community around your business, but you do need consistency and heart. Customers notice when your messaging feels real and your mission runs deeper than the About page. Be the kind of business people root for.

Scaling Your Business

Growth should feel intentional, not like you’re getting pulled behind a runaway sled dog. Before hiring staff or expanding into new services, track what’s working and what feels clunky. Does demand justify duplication? Are you delivering at the same quality, or are you stretched too thin to care about the compost bin? Scaling can be sustainable if it follows the same ethos you started with—low impact, high integrity, human-paced. Your future team should share your values and your vision, not just your logo.

Starting a sustainable pet care business isn’t a Sunday side hustle or a cute hobby. It’s a commitment, like any real relationship. One between you, your values, your clients, and yes, the animals that make it all worth it. If you do it right, your work becomes more than just transactions and tail wags. It becomes a daily demonstration that capitalism doesn’t have to be careless. Just careful, thoughtful, and a little bit obsessed with doing things better.

Dive into the captivating world of animal behavior and pet care at Susan Bulanda’s Blog, where passion for pets meets scientific exploration!

Plants have memory, communicate, perceive, adapt and are social

May 5, 2025 / susanbulanda / Leave a comment

With the use of sophisticated tools, scientists have been able to determine the life of plants. They have found that plants can perceive and respond to a changing environment.

They use their roots, leaves and flowers to take in information such as the amount of light, water, nutrients, that are available as well as the presence of predators and pathogens. Some trees will give off a chemical when attacked by a disease or an insect that signals the other trees around it to release a protective hormone.

How does something without a “brain” accomplish this? Researchers have found that plant memory involves sensory perception, intracellular signaling pathways, and molecular events that allows them to store and retrieve information. Plant metabolism is the driving force of plant memory.

To further understand plant memory and communication researchers focused on the spruce trees in the Costa Bocche forest in Italy. They attached sensors to the trees to record their reaction to a solar eclipse. Their studies showed how the trees were aware of the eclipse and responded to it. They also found that the older trees support the younger ones.

Other studies have shown that a parent tree will help its offspring survive by feeding it most of the nutrients that it gathers from its roots. That the trees recognize its relatives.

Plants can also sense and react to color and sound. Years ago people were encouraged to talk to their plants. Some nurseries sell a red mulch to put under tomato plants that increases the yield of the plants.

The next time you take a walk in a garden or the forest, feel free to talk to the plants around you. What surprises may be in store.

Auge, G., Hankofer, V. Groth, M., Antoniou-Kourounioti R., Ratikainen I. and Lampei C. (2023) “Plant environmental memory: implications, mechanisms, and opportunities for plant scientists and beyond” AoB PLANTS. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plad032.

Book: What a Plant Knows by Daniel Chamovitz

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-plants-think-daniel-chamovitz/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/scientists-observed-an-astonishing-response-of-trees-when-they-left-sensors-on-them-during-solar-eclipse/ar-AA1E6OM9?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=823c87caed8c4dc98cafb164f9004b04&ei=45

https://newatlas.com/biology/trees-knowledge-eclipse/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mother-trees-are-intelligent-they-learn-and-remember/v

Dog tails, often misread

April 25, 2025 / susanbulanda / Leave a comment

Many children are taught that if a dog’s tail is wagging that it is safe to approach the dog and pet him. This is one reason why children are sometimes bitten. First, a child should be taught to never approach any animal without first asking permission to do so. If the child is alone and there is no one around to ask, they should avoid all animals.

I recall being at a dog show with my young Doberman and a young girl ran up to my dog and gave him a big hug. Fortunately my dog was safe and liked all people. I did tell the child that she should always ask first since all dogs are not safe. She looked at me, thought a minute and said, “I have a way with dogs” and left. She was at the age where she should have known better, but obviously someone had told her this and she thought that she was safe from all harm. How sad. At the same show with the same dog, an adult couple approached and started to pet my dog, giving him kisses and hugs. Being a red Doberman and young, he was rather slender. They looked up with love in their eyes and asked if he was a Vizsla. I said, “No, he’s a Doberman.” They collectively gave a gasp of horror, quickly backed away saying “I’m afraid of Dobermans!” Fortunately my dog ignored their behavior.

But the fact is that many adults think that if a dog is wagging his tail, that he is safe to approach. Some behavior consultants feel that the tail is not an indicator of a dog’s mental state at all and not a reliable means of determining how a dog feels. To a point this is true. The tail should always be included with other body language. This includes the dog’s posture, facial expressions, vocalizations and spatial proximity to the object of his interest.

What makes it difficult to determine the meaning of a dog’s tail are physical factors such as a dog who has no tail or a small stubby tail like a Doberman. Dogs whose tails are naturally carried in a certain position, such as the high tail of a Beagle, or breeds that normally carry their tails low such as a Greyhound as well as those dogs who have very curly tails such as a Husky.

However, there are some general rules that a person can use to determine if the tail is a warning rather than an invitation.

1) A slow wag that is lower than the back of the dog is often a dog that is insecure. An insecure dog may fear-bite.

2) A tail tucked between the dog’s legs or even curled between the dog’s legs and tucked all the way to the dogs stomach. This means the dog is very fearful.

3) A slow high wag is often a dog that is assertive and willing to fight. If the dog is barking he could be aggressive.

4) A tail that is very high, erect, and stiff is also a sign of high alert or aggression.

With a little bit a caution and common sense, a person can avoid being bitten or being confronted by a dog that would rather be left alone.

Dog fur vs dog hair. What is the difference? Does it matter to people who are allergic to dogs?

April 17, 2025 / susanbulanda / 1 Comment

Dogs have a wide range of coat types, from very short with no undercoat to very long with dense undercoats to everything in between. Their fur can be silky soft to wiry hard.

The truth is that chemically, both dog hair and fur are the same, so what is the difference? Dog hair has a longer growth cycle, similar to a person’s hair that will grow long if not trimmed. Dog fur always stays the same length. For example, you never see a long haired Boxer or Pointer and you never have a Poodle that does not need a haircut.

One difference between fur and hair is the texture. Hair is finer, often softer and usually wavy or curly. When you have a dog with hair that does not have an undercoat, is wavy or curly, the hair will trap the shedding hair and dander inside the coat, giving the impression that the dog does not shed and is allergen-free.

Dogs that have silky coats, regardless if they have a longer growth cycle or not, have a greater risk of having their coats mat, the longer the coat, the greater chance that it will mat. This means that the dog’s owner must groom their dog on a daily basis.

Mats are caused by the individual hairs twisting and forming a dense tangle of hair. Often the mats work themselves into such tight clumps close to the skin that the base of the hair will constantly pull, causing considerable pain for the dog. The closer the mat works itself to the skin, the more difficult it is to remove it and the greater risk there is in nicking the dog’s skin while trying to remove the mat. Maybe some of you remember as a child having tangles in your hair and how it hurt to pull them out. A mat in a dog’s coat hurts even more than that.

The most common places for mats to form are behind the ears, in the “arm pits” by the front legs and between the dog’s toes.

When you consider what type of dog to own, it is important to consider the grooming needs of the dog based on the type of coat it has. For those people who purchase mixed breed dogs, such as Labradoodles, or any Poodle mix, there is no way to tell what type of coat the dog will have. These dogs are not hypoallergenic as some people claim.

If a person is looking for a dog for themselves or family who has allergies, it is best to check with a doctor that is an ENT-Allergist or a doctor that specializes in allergies to see what preventative measures can be taken. It would be a good idea to spend time with the breed of dog you are considering to see if there is an allergic reaction. Sometimes people can tolerate a very short haired dog such as a terrier but cannot tolerate a short haired dog in the hunting group.

Breeds of dogs that are bred to be water dogs, such as Labradors, typically have more oil in their coats to protect them from the water, which can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Another factor to consider which only a doctor can test for is the degree that you are allergic to dogs. Some people have a mild allergic reaction and medication can keep it in control. Some people cannot tolerate dogs at all. Also keep in mind that part of living with a dog when you have an allergy to dogs is keeping your house what I call, allergy clean. The dog dander and hair can build up in a home, especially in carpet, which can contribute to a person’s allergic reaction over time.

With a little bit of research and by knowing the truth about dog hair/fur, someone who wants a dog but is allergic to them, or wants a mixed breed dog can determine what type of dog to get. For those with allergies it is always safer to stick with a purebred dog because you can be sure of what you are getting. Most quality purebred dogs cost the same and sometimes less, than the over-priced “designer” mixed breed dogs that are available which are no more hypoallergenic than any other dog.

Chiari malformation in dogs

April 10, 2025 / susanbulanda / Leave a comment

Chiari malformation is a painful skull malformation that affects many small breeds of dogs. This disorder is caused by the premature fusion of skull bones which causes parts of the brain to push through the opening of the back of the skull. This then causes fluid to build up in the spinal cord. It also affects 1 in about 1200 humans.

Researchers at the University of Surrey teamed up with a breeder of Brussel Griffon’s in the Netherlands to study an accidental breeding between her Brussels Griffon and her Australian Terrier.

The four-year study using MRI images of the canine family of Brussels Griffons, showed that with a onetime cross breeding and careful selection of future breeding for head shape, that the inherited problem could be corrected.

The resulting study, published in the PLOS journal, resulted in the Surrey researches teaming up with the geneticists at the University of Montreal to link the results with the dog genome.

What is promising is that the study will be linked to studies in humans, offering hope to the people who are affected by this disorder.

It is interesting to note that backcrossing a breed is not a new concept. It has been done with Dalmatians in an attempt to lower high uric acid in Dalmatians. Another goal of the backcrossing was to decrease the level of deafness found in Dals.

http://www.dogheirs.com/dogheirs/posts/58-chiari-malformation-and-syringomyelia-symptoms

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/detail_chiari.htm

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160323151850.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fdogs+%28Dogs+News+–+ScienceDaily%29

http://www.dalmatianheritage.com/about/schaible_research.htm

http://www.dalmatianheritage.com/about/nash_research.htm

Cats need exercise

April 3, 2025 / susanbulanda / 1 Comment

Everyone knows that dogs need to be exercised, but often people don’t realize that cats need exercise too. When they are young, cats will play and amuse themselves, but as they get older, they tend to play less. It is beneficial for older cat to exercise, and playing with your cat is one way to do this. Cats often prefer toys that move or fly such as toys on a sting. Many cats love to pounce on a plain string that is pulled along the ground. Fortunately there are several toys designed to both play with and exercise your cat. By playing with your cat you also foster a positive bond.

You may have to experiment with simple toys to see what your cat likes. I have owned cats that loved to play with a wadded tissue tied with a string. A wadded tissue is easy for the cat to pick up and carry and cost next to nothing. Some cats love the craft puff balls, or ones that make a crackling sound.

Cats that are deaf or blind can also play with toys. If the cat is blind a toy that works best is one that makes some sound, even if it is the sound of it going across the floor.

Cats can benefit from having the ability to go outside for exercise, venting energy and soaking up some sun. This is especially beneficial for the multi-cat household, since letting cats exercise can help them get along. However, the main problem in letting cats go outdoors is keeping them safe and at home. Purr…fect Fence offers a solution to this problem by offering an easy to install poly mesh system. They also offer a converter kit to make existing 5 – 6-foot fences cat proof.

Many people are surprised that you can train a cat to do tricks and obey basic commands. The best way to train a cat is to use the clicker training method. Cats enjoy interaction with their owners. Clicker training also helps cats that have been adopted and may have been feral for a period of time. Many zoo animals have been easier to handle after they are clicker trained.

Cats are very social and enjoy the company people and other animals. However, some cats are more social than others, they have as many different personalities as dogs.

Cat fence information: www.purrfectfence.com, email info@purrfectfence.com or call 888-280-4066

Getting Started: Clicker Training for Cats by Karen Pryor

Cats love boxes, bags and warm laundry

March 27, 2025 / susanbulanda / 2 Comments

Cats enjoy boxes and other “secret” hiding places. But why? While no one knows for sure, some studies have shown when cats have boxes to hide in, they have lower stress levels, especially cats in rescues or shelters.

Cats generally enjoy going behind, into, under and on top of things. It provides a way to explore, satisfy their curiosity, provide exercise and practice hunting skills. Anyone who has watched cats play have seen them hide behind something and then pounce on anything, (dog, cat or you) that goes by. This can be great fun for the cat. It is especially funny to see kittens do this and after they pounce on their victim, bounce away on their toes, as kittens do. Cats enjoy paper bags, especially if you make scratching noises with your finger nails on the outside of the bag and slowly move your finger along the bag.

Cats may enjoy going in small places such as boxes, to keep warm or bury themselves in something soft such as blankets or clothes in an open hamper. Some cats learn to head for the clothes that have just come out of the dryer and if they can, settle down for a long, warm nap.

A careful cat owner will keep their cat’s safety in mind as they play. This is especially true around holidays, birthdays and other events where there can be empty boxes, wrapping paper, plastic wrap around the house. Children may not see a cat hiding and step on them, especially a young kitten.

Cats can also chew boxes, wrappings, paper, ribbons, strings and other tempting non-cat toys which can result in a trip to the veterinarian. While it is fun to watch a cat or kitten play with these things, they should never have access to anything that can harm them. Even if the owner is there to supervise the cat/kitten, things can happen so fast that you cannot prevent them.

So instead of spending a lot of money on cat toys, once in awhile give your cat a box to play in or a paper or reusable shopping bag to hide in. Your cats will love you for it.

http://phys.org/news/2015-02-cat-stress-access.html

Cats love secret hiding places

March 7, 2025 / susanbulanda / Leave a comment

Cats enjoy boxes and other “secret” hiding places. But why? While no one knows for sure, some studies have shown when cats have boxes to hide in they have lower stress levels, especially cats in rescues or shelters.

So instead of spending a lot of money on cat toys, once in awhile give your cat a box to play in or a paper or reusable shopping bag to hide in. Your cats will love you for it.

http://phys.org/news/2015-02-cat-stress-access.html

Feeding a Finicky Feline

February 26, 2025 / susanbulanda / 2 Comments

If cat food stayed the same, it would not be a problem feeding a finicky cat, but unfortunately brands change, specific varieties may be discontinued, or you may have to change your cat’s food for health reasons. If your cat is a finicky eater, this can be a huge challenge. There are a few things that may work to help.

The best thing to do is prevent the cat from becoming finicky. This is easily accomplished while the cat is a kitten. Do not feed your kitten only one brand and flavor of food. Offer the kitten many different brands of food and flavors as well as textures.

Most cat owners do not consider the texture of the food, how the food feels in the cat’s mouth is important. Cats are aware of the appearance, smell, taste and feel of the food. With so many aspects to consider, it makes substituting one brand of food for another more difficult.

If you must change the cat’s food, offer the new food in a separate dish next to the cat’s normal food at feeding time. Another method that can work is to mix a small amount of the new food with the food that the cat likes. Gradually add more of the new food until the cat will eat the new food exclusively.

There are a few other feeding tips that can help a cat. I like to feed my cat both dry and wet food. Feeding dry food will not harm the cat as some people believe, nor will it cause dehydration. If your cat is on a self-feed system, the dry food will stay fresh longer. It often works well to leave a dish of dry food out and twice a day offer wet food.

Each meal does not have to be the same amount of food. For example, the cat may get a smaller amount of dry food in the morning with a larger portion of wet food, and then in the evening, more dry food and less wet food, or more of both at one feeding and a less amount of both at the next feeding.

Cats may enjoy food puzzles because they satisfy their hunting instinct. Food puzzles also encourage the cat to exercise as they work the food out of the puzzle. If food puzzles are new to the cat, offer them on a quiet day at mealtime. Put their normal amount of food in the puzzle and offer the puzzle as close to their normal eating area as you can. Be sure to thoroughly wash the food puzzle with hot water and soap after the cat is finished with it. Because of a cat’s very good sense of smell, be sure to thoroughly rinse the puzzle so that the cat cannot smell the soap.

If the cat will not use a food puzzle, dry food can be hidden in and on a cat tree if the cat uses one. For example, my cat is blind so a food puzzle will not work with her. I have a three-tiered cat tree that has a “den” in the middle of it. I scatter her treats on the cat tree in different places. She loves to jump on it and using her sense of smell, find the treats. If you do not have a cat tree, you can hide treats around a room. Let the cat see you place one treat and show the cat where it is. You can tell the cat to find the treat as you do this. As the cat gets the idea hide the treat in a place near where you started and tell the cat to find the treat, gradually expand the area. Most cats will get the idea quickly and enjoy the game. This too satisfies their hunting instinct.

The bottom line is do not give up trying different foods and puzzles to keep your cat healthy and happy.

How cats show affection

February 19, 2025 / susanbulanda / Leave a comment

People who do not own cats have a hard time understanding the deep affection that cats have for humans and that humans have for cats. In many ways, cats are not much different then dogs. Granted, you cannot do the same things with cats that you can do with dogs, but the relationship is a deep, quiet one. There is something special about the love that cats have for people, it is hard to put into words. The best way to describe it is to imagine sitting quietly with your closest friend, no words needed, but knowing that you are there for each other no matter what. Imagine the feeling of security, peace, and understanding that you and your friend share. This is what cat love is like.

Some cats are very demonstrative and easily show their affection while other cats are more like the best friend experience described above. This does not mean that they are not bonded or don’t love their owners, they simply show it differently. Just like dogs and people, cats have different personalities. Some are cuddly and others like to share from a distance.

Many people recognize canine displays of affection, but do not recognize feline displays of affection. While each cat has their own special way of demonstrating their love for their owner, some types of body language and behavior are common with all cats.

Here is a list of the most common ways cats show affection:

1. The most recognized sign of affection is when a cat purrs, however, not all purring is a sign of affection. For example a cat who is in pain or stressed will often purr. It is thought to be a way to relieve stress. However almost without a doubt if a cat is near a human and purrs along with a contented face, it is a sign of affection. Cat purrs can range from soft and subtle to very loud. Kittens can purr from the time they are two days old. There have been a number of studies about how and why cats purr, it is considered the equivalent of a cat smile, a healing mechanism and a form of communication, but by and large, it is still a mystery.

2. Tails are another indication of affection. Kittens will greet their mother with their tail straight up and the end tipped over just a little. When the cat gets close to his favorite person, the tail will stay up with the end slightly tipped and the cat will raise their butt, sort of like walking on their hind toes. This is an invitation to scratch them above the tail. Happy cats usually have their tails raised and the tip of the tail in a slight hook.

3. Cats can show affection by the location they choose to sleep. This is because a cat sleeps up to 16 hours a day and they are the most vulnerable while sleeping. Therefore if a cat sleeps near, on or next to his person, it is a way the cat tells you that he trusts and feels safe near you. When an owner is not at home, the cat may choose to sleep on their person’s bed, chair or pillow.

4. Much to the dismay of some cat owners, cat gifting is another sign of affection. I does not matter if the gift is a dead critter, a bug, or a toy, cats only give gifts to the people they love.

5. Rolling is another sign of affection. If your cat throws himself down in front of you or near you, it is a sign that they love you and often that they want to play. Cats will only do this to engage you to play with them. It does not mean that they want their belly rubbed or scratched. Some cats do not mind belly rubs but most do not care for it.

6. Scratching is another signal that a cat feels that you are theirs. When cats do this, they leave their scent from scent glands that are located between their pads and toes. They will do this to say that the object of their scratching is theirs. Much the same as family members feel that their family is theirs.

7. Bumping or bunting is a term that is used when a cat will cheek rub, head butt or wrap themselves or their tail around you. This is a very high complement from a cat. A cat will do this to other cats, dogs and their favorite human.

8. Kneading is another sign that the cat is very happy and contented. They often do this while purring. The behavior goes back to kitten hood when the kitten would knead the mother’s breast to help milk production. Cats only do this with people they hold in high regard.

9. Playing is an engaging behavior that a cat will only do with someone they feel safe with and love. Often a cat will bring a toy to their person and drop it just out of reach. This way you have to go to them. Playing is also a form of gifting.

10. Cat eyes are very large in proportion to their heads. This makes them easy to read, cats use their eyes as a form of communication. When a cat puts his face near yours, with wide soft eyes, it is a sign of love. If the cat is across the room and gives you a slow blink, it is sort of the cat’s way of throwing kisses to you. Often if you blink slowly to your cat, the cat will blink back.

11. Nose nibbles are one of the most flattering things your cat can do to show affection. Often a cat will do it while you are asleep. It is not a bite and does not hurt, but is a gentle nibble on the tip of your nose.

A Blog by Susan Bulanda

Certified Animal Behavior Consultant