England has millions of dogs, and with an ageing population, this means that many older and disabled guardians are not able to give their dogs regular walks. Volunteer dog walkers are ideal to help keep dogs happy and healthy with regular walks, and also enable much-loved dogs to stay with their human guardians, rather than being adopted out.
The Cinnamon Trust is the main UK dog-walking charity, where vetted volunteers walk dogs for people over 65 (and those with disabilities). Most volunteers also carry out other duties like pet-taxi services, fostering for hospital stays, or looking after other pets (like changing cat litter trays). This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for people who love walking and dogs, and perhaps are unable to foster or adopt dogs themselves, due to various life circumstances.
Before walking dogs, research local parks & beaches to know which ones are dog-friendly. Read this book to keep dogs safe to learn of toxic foods, plants and other items to avoid (the book also has info on collar safety & a simple illustrated first aid guide).
The Cinnamon Trust was named after the founder’s 17-year Corgi (who sadly died just before the charity was launched). Each pet is carefully matched with volunteers based on location & background, ensuring a safe nurturing environment.
Through the Pet Profiling process, guardians entrust the charity to make thoughtful decisions for their pet’s wellbeing & future, for when they may have to move into a care home or sadly pass away. The Trust gathers information about each pet’s needs, personality, and medical history, supporting the search of finding the perfect forever home.
The Trust oversees all animals in forever foster homes and pays all veterinary bills, and where particular diets are necessary, The Cinnamon Trust also pays for food. The organisation never relies on kennels or catteries, and will always find a home-from-home environment to the pets entrusted in their care. Leave a Codicil in your Will and make arrangements for your companion’s future.
Picking up after your dog isn’t the most glamorous task, but it’s part of responsible pet ownership. With the rising popularity of eco-friendly products, biodegradable dog poop bags are gaining attention. It’s not just a trend—it’s a call to action for pet owners to make a positive environmental change. Let’s explore why making the switch could be one of the best decisions you make for our planet.
Pick up poop immediately (white poop is also a toxin that can harm dogs, wildlife and children, and even cause blindness). Keep compostable poop bags in a cool dark place, away from pets and children. Bin after use (not good to compost them due to medicines/shampoos in poop, and not legal to sell food made with it).
Councils can invest in better dog poop stations, which include free biodegradable poop bags, in case people forget. This costs less than sending out council workers to clean up poop afterwards.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Dog Poop Bags
Plastic Pollution and Landfill Contribution
Traditional plastic bags may seem harmless, but they have a stark impact on the environment. Every year, millions of these bags end up in landfills, where they linger for hundreds of years. Decomposing at a snail’s pace, they release harmful chemicals into the soil and waterways, adding to the mounting problem of plastic pollution. The result? Overflowing landfills and polluted oceans that struggle under the weight of human convenience.
Harm to Wildlife and Ecosystems
Now, let’s talk about the real victims—wildlife and ecosystems. Animals often mistake plastic bags for food, leading to fatal consequences. Sea turtles, birds, and marine creatures are among the most affected. The ingestion of plastic causes suffocation, starvation, and death. Even when animals don’t eat the plastic directly, their habitats suffer. Choking coastlines, suffocating plants, and trashing nature’s home, plastic bags are a menace we’ve unwittingly unleashed on the world.
Advantages of Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
Material Composition and Decomposition
Enter biodegradable dog poop bags, the unsung heroes of our eco-conscious era. Unlike their plastic counterparts, these bags are crafted from materials like cornstarch and vegetable oils. They decompose quickly and leave no toxic residue in the soil. Within a few months, a biodegradable bag can return to nature, nourishing it rather than harming it. It’s a smart solution to a troubling problem.
Reduction of Carbon Footprint
Using biodegradable bags isn’t just a conscientious choice—it’s a carbon-conscious one too. By opting for these green alternatives, you’re helping reduce the carbon footprint associated with dog waste disposal. Each small change adds to a collective effort that can make significant strides toward mitigating climate change. In essence, it’s a simple act with profound implications for our planet’s health.
Convenience and Usability
Concerned about switching because of convenience? Fear not. Biodegradable bags are just as strong and usable as their plastic peers. Available in various sizes and thicknesses, they handle messy tasks with ease. You’ll find they fit as seamlessly into your daily routine as any conventional bag, letting you clean up quickly and responsibly.
Choosing the Right Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
Certification and Standards
Not all biodegradable bags are created equal. It’s essential to look for certifications that prove the product meets strict environmental standards. Certifications like ASTM D6400 or EN 13432, for instance, ensure the bags will decompose as intended. Check labels and do a bit of research before committing to a purchase—you’ll be glad you did.
Comparisons of Popular Brands
Planet Underdog (London) create fully compostable bags (not just biodegradable which can take years to break down). There are 900 million dogs on earth who combined do over 2 billion poops a day! So that’s over 3 trillion kilos of carbon dioxide added to our planet, by using plastic poop bags. They are made from cornstarch and cornstarch polymers, that fully decompose without producing toxic residue. Wrapped around paper card rolls, these are big enough for the scariest poops!
Onya Dog Poop Bags (with refills) are certified compostable and each set has 30 bags (2 rolls). Includes an rPET pouch to hold them.
The Green Poop Bag are unscented and strong (made from sugar and cornstarch) and also opaque with a smart print, handy ties, carry handles and easy-to-remove stickers. Sold in cardboard.
Fetch It! make compostable poop bags (with Dicky Bags to hold them). Made in Cornwall from neoprene (wetsuit material) for a lightweight, soft and waterproof place to stack used bags, clip to your harness, lead or rucksack. The strong seam joint prevents odours.
Practical Tips for Transitioning
Cost Considerations and Budgeting
It’s true that biodegradable bags can be pricier than traditional plastic ones. Yet, investing in them is an investment in the planet’s future. Consider allocating a small portion of your budget toward this eco-friendly shift. Many brands offer bulk purchases at discounted rates—an attractive option for budget-savvy pet owners.
Pooch Paper (with doo-doo resistant coating)
Pooch Paper (US) is a non-chlorine alternative to bags, made with green energy. It features grease-resistant coating to ensure doggie’s doodie remains inside paper, and not on your hand! Each box has a month’s supply. You can also buy a zipped canvas bag to keep 20 sheets, and there’s a pooch paper dispensing station for councils, parks, tenant buildings and animal shelters.
We don’t have an alternative retail product yet in the UK, but councils and shops can buy paper scoop bags wholesale, as an alternative option (good for campsites etc, to prevent plastic waste).
Light Public Parks with Dog Poop!
Park Spark Project (US) is a great idea, to encourage people to pick up the poop. People literally throw the poop inside, use a hand crank and this produces energy to light the park!
Conclusion
Switching to biodegradable dog poop bags is more than just a responsible choice—it’s a vital step in nurturing our planet. These bags reduce plastic pollution, protect wildlife, and ease the burden on our overfilled landfills. They’re convenient, effective, and affordable with the right brand and strategy. As pet owners, our choices can make a tangible impact. So why not make the switch today? Embrace the change, and be part of a growing movement towards a cleaner, greener world.
more dog walking volunteering opportunities
- Dogs Trust and Blue Cross are national charities that always need volunteers to walk dogs, and also welcome people with space or experience to groom/foster horses.
- Keep Your Pet (Yorkshire) & Wag and Company (north east) are good examples of regional charities that offer assistance for vulnerable pet guardians (walks, feeding, taxi, foster care etc).
- TimeBanks are an American idea with many local hubs in England. Each member earns an ‘hour of time’ to ‘buy’ services from someone else in the community. So if you do someone’s shopping or mend a creaky gate, you could use the hour earned to have someone else in the TimeBank walk your dog (or of an elderly relative).
..or find an affordable dog walker
If you don’t qualify for a volunteer dog walker, there are many affordable dog walkers around. Ensure they are trained with liability insurance and ideally have taken a first aid course and dog-walking course.