Socially Responsible Brands from Pure Earth Pets

Living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle usually recalls images of choosing renewable resources and participating in the three Rs (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse). However, social responsibility is also an important component, particularly for small businesses and product manufacturers. In this article we will talk about the importance of social responsibility, economic development, and highlight some of our vendors who we love who are working hard to help the people who live on this planet in addition to the earth itself. 

Economic Development and Social Responsibility in Sustainability

Economic development is an important part of sustainability. As part of their social responsibility efforts, many companies work with artisans, farmers, and other residents to source materials and create products. Not only do these products have a reduced carbon footprint, but their creation helps local residents earn a living and learn new skills. 

Himalayan Pet Products

At Pure Earth Pets, we love supporting Himalayan Pet Products. As a result, you will find Himalayan Pet Products Loom Toys, Yak chews, and Felty products in our eco-friendly pet product subscription boxes as well as in our online retail store. 

Himalayan Pet Products began with their Himalayan Dog Chews. According to their website, “today, we are the largest exporter of Himalayan Cheese out of Nepal employing more than 9,000 farmers who are now earning better than living wages.” Supporting farmers is crucial to supporting access to fresh fruits, grains, and vegetables all over the world. 

Himalayan Pet Products also works with the Women’s Skills Development Organization (WSDO), which has been working since 1975 to help women in Nepal. According to the WSDO website, this organization empowers women “who face difficult and significant social and economic hardships—being differently abled, abused, widowed, divorced, single, orphaned or of marginalized castes.”  Local women in the program make the toys sold on the Himalayan Pet Products website, and then Himalayan Pet Products donates 100% of the profits of the sale back to the WSDO.

It is incredible to think that this adorable little dinosaur toy and its friend the Loom Whale are made halfway around the world from a handwoven cotton fabric and stuffed with the fibers of the Himalayan Nettle Plant. The dye is made from all-natural things like tea, iron, copper, persimmon, aluminum, pomegranate, and Nepalese hops. I love looking knowing that in addition to being safe and fun for both Dover and your pets, that these toys have helped empower and employ women in Nepal. (insert photo of dino toy)

West Paw Design

West Paw Design is in Bozeman, Montana. Not only are their products made by American workers using safe, non-toxic practices, but West Paw Design helps make life in their local community better in a variety of ways. West Paw has been a Certified B-Corp for approximately ten years, which means that they have passed a rigorous assessment of their effect on their employees, community, environment, and their customers. 

According to their Annual Report, West Paw Design works with their local Rotary Club, helping with handyman jobs for local residents in need of assistance. They support the local Gallatin Valley Land Trust, which “connects people, communities, and open lands through conservation of working farms and ranches, healthy rivers, and wildlife habitat, and the creation of trails in the Montana headwaters of the Missouri and Upper Yellowstone Rivers.” They have worked with the Audobon Society to protect birds, donated toys and food to children in need, and donated dog toys and beds to their local humane society. In terms of supporting their local workforce, West Paw is dedicated to supporting the community by paying well above minimum wage, and offering wellness programs and flexible scheduling. 

 We love to be able to support their efforts and sell some of their products, like the West Paw Quizl and Tizzi treat dispensing toys. You can also purchase West Paw’s Peanut Butter and Banana Creamy Dog Treat, which is an all-natural, healthy treat that you can squeeze into the Quizl or Tizzi to work your dog’s mind. 

Past Vendors: Paradise Paws and Wholesome Pride

In the past, we have featured products in our specialty themed boxes from small treat companies who support local farmers. Our Vegan Box included Wholesome Pride Sweet Potato Chews, which are made from locally sourced sweet potatoes grown on family farms in North Carolina. Our Aloha box included Chicken Mango trats from Paradise Paws, made from ingredients grown and sourced locally in Hawaii. We love to find bakers and small businesses making treats with local ingredients, with a “farm to tail” (a super cute phrase we read on the Wholesome Pride website) approach. 

As we continue to create new monthly pet subscription boxes and find new vendors, we will continue to strive to find companies that approach sustainability both ecologically and socially. It’s win-win-win-win for all of us involved, our pets, the earth, the employees and local residents, and for us pet lovers.