EPA Coming For Your Dog
The EPA is researching the environmental effects of the world’s pet population.
A legislator who tracked a bit of ooze onto their cream colored carpet at a posh Washington DC condo has spurred an inquiry into America’s, and the worlds pet overpopulation problem. Michael S. Regan, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Regan head of the EPA launched the agency’s study of the impact of our fascination with domesticating and keeping animals as companions after literally stepping into the problem on his way home from work at the Federal agency. The EPA, generally associated with issues like water and air pollution has always had a large screen scope of investigations encompassing all aspects of our environment, from nuclear to manufacturing waste to the encroachment of invasive species, often cooperating with other relevant federal agencies to create policy.
The pet industry worldwide is valued at around $223 billion, and in the US at around 40% of that figure. As global affluence has generally increased so has the world’s interest in pets, and the value of the market is expected to double by the end of the decade.
People have gone well beyond the keeping of a single cat, dog or goldfish to now holding captive almost every animal imaginable from panthers to venomous reptiles, (i. e. our political representatives). Demand for exotic pets has led to smuggling as well as the depletion of endangered species populations. Our fascination with pets has led us to genetically engineer species that are hypoallergenic and efforts are underway to restore extinct species such as the Thylacine, Dodo and Wooly Mammoth.
All these are concerning to the stability of the environment, according to Regan, from the expanding nature of the pet population to it’s increased demand upon limited natural resources as well as the potential for pandemic. The agency is investigating these aspects with a view toward future legislation. At present none has been proposed but Regan does recommend that pet owners utilize the little plastic bags that are often freely available.