I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to Marisa Herrera.  Marisa is a Green Pets Eco-Living Consultant that is dedicated to reaching out to the global community and teaching us how to make our homes and pets in harmony with Mother Nature.  She is also passionate about a raising the funds to open up an animal sanctuary in Mexico.

Chris: Marisa, thank you for stopping by Waggy’s Pet Tips and Tales.  Please tell us how you started out on this wonderful journey in helping animals and families become more eco friendly.  What is your working background?

Marisa: Thank you, Chris, for having me.  It’s great to connect and talk with you!  My journey started a long time ago with my love of animals and my desire to help them in any way possible.  Since young, I’ve also had a deep connection with Nature and concern about the environment.  I grew up in Mexico City and remember wanting to help and rescue all the stray dogs I would see.  I saw so much apathy, cruelty and injustice that it forever touched me.   I have been an animal and environmental advocate for decades and, finally, I’ve reached a point in my life where I had to pursue my passion and purpose of dedicating my life to help as many animals as I can while helping Nature, too.  So, this is how Green Pets Eco Living was created in late 2009.  I integrated my passions, interests, background and knowledge to help pet parents “green” their companion animals and create toxic-free home environments so their pets can live as long and healthy as possible.  By incorporating eco-friendly practices, your pets, you and the planet all benefit from living green and having a green pet.

Marisa and Roco

My working and academic background is diverse.   I’ve done environmental education, administrative work, public relations and field research.  My academic background covers tourism management, wildlife management, restoration of natural systems, ecological landscape design and sustainable gardening.  Over the years, I have developed my environmental conscience and have learned about ecology, sustainability, holistic living and holistic pet care.

Chris: I see you have loads of information and videos regarding living an eco friendly life.  Can you tell us what things we can learn from you?

Marisa: Indeed.  Living an eco friendly lifestyle starts with awareness and education.  Awareness that we live in a highly toxic world that affects us and our pets; that our planet needs help and that we have options to create non-toxic and more sustainable environments at home, our communities and the world.

This is my approach:  Bring awareness about the problems, conditions and risks associated with doing things the conventional way (from the foods we feed our pets and eat ourselves, to the cleaning supplies, cosmetic and personal care products we use and the vaccination regimes to which we expose our pets). Awareness about the toxic overload that is all around people and pets in their very own homes but are unaware of it.  Educate and present the options and benefits of implementing safer, holistic and eco-friendly practices for you and your pets.  Promote action by taking that first green step, by implementing the solutions for a healthier and greener lifestyle for you, your pets and the environment.  This whole process assists pet parents to reduce and eliminate the toxics that abound in most homes now and, in turn, help their pets live long, healthy lives.

For example, let’s take pet food.  What type of food do you feed your pet?  Is it the nutritionally-devoid commercial brands, or the vet prescribed diets?  Are you aware that many types of pet food use fillers made from corn and/or by-products (meat “meals”), artificial flavourings and colours, and ingredients that are grown with toxic pesticides or synthetic preservatives or contain ingredients that are deemed unfit for humans?  These pet foods are harmful to your pet’s health and to the environment.  So, what are the options?  There are high quality commercial pet foods that contain superior sources of protein; organic, whole, unprocessed vegetables and grains and other foods.  Another option is home-made organic food for your pets.  There are various online recipes and resources to help create wholesome, healthy and properly balanced meals and treats.

Being exposed to a toxic environment by what we eat, drink, breathe and absorb through our skins overloads the immune system leading to potential health risks and degenerative diseases.  We see this in people and animals.  However, because our pets have shorter lifespans, faster metabolisms and are constantly on the ground, they are at higher risk with less exposure than people.

Chris: I know that you are passionate about opening up an Animal Sanctuary in Mexico.  If you had all the funds you needed, and could afford to have the sanctuary of your dreams, what would that look like?  What kind of animals would you house?

Marisa: Yes, I am passionate about having my animal sanctuary in Mexico and help those most in need.  It has been a dream of mine for 10 years now, but finally I am taking action to make this a reality.  This is one of the reasons I created Green Pets Eco Living…to raise the funds to afford and maintain my animal sanctuary.  My intent is to open the sanctuary in 2010.

I will describe my sanctuary:  The Animal Sanctuary is located in the Colonial Region of Mexico; it’s an hacienda nearby natural habitat.  With my team of local staff and national and international volunteers, we rescue, rehabilitate, provide medical care, find foster homes, facilitate adoptions, and provide permanent refuge to as many animals in need as we can, including domestic, farm and exotics.  We deal with animals that have been abused, injured, abandoned and the numerous stray animals without any hope of a life worth living.  We also help people without the financial resources to pay for veterinary care by providing complimentary veterinary services for their companion animals.  Our free mobile clinic reaches remote communities.

Our ongoing humane education program facilitates resources and information about treating animals with compassion and respect and being better stewards of Mother Earth.  We have partnered with the local school Board to give complimentary Humane Education presentations throughout the school year.  It is our belief that we need to teach the young generations about treating animals with compassion and respect, and living more harmoniously on Earth.

Marisa

We conduct low-cost and free sterilization programs for dogs and cats, both in-house and out in the local communities.  The local government agencies support our on-going sterilization campaigns as a public health effort.  The Sanctuary provides internships to Mexican veterinary students, who work along with our resident veterinarian in performing these surgeries and other veterinary care.

The Sanctuary is also a Nature Retreat where people come to connect with Nature and her creatures, a place to find simplicity and refuge from the hectic demands of urban living.  Our accommodations are simple and comfortable with the touch of Mexican culture.  The Nature Retreat is another fund-generator for the Sanctuary.  The people you find at the Retreat have all one thing in common, whether they are volunteers, staff or guests; they all love animals and have an appreciation of Nature.  This is what brings us together.

Here at the Sanctuary we have a mission:  To help animals (domestic, farm and exotics) most in need by providing rescue, rehabilitation, medical care, temporary and permanent residence, and humane education to foster animal compassion, respect and protection.

Chris: Please tell us about your consulting business.  Exactly what does it mean to have an eco friendly consultant?

Marisa: Actually, just this month I launched my online consulting services as a Green Pets Eco-Living Consultant.  I am very excited about this!   It will allow me to assist a global community of pet parents in creating toxic-free, healthy home environments for their pets and themselves.   As an Eco-Living or Eco-Friendly Consultant, I also show you how to incorporate eco-friendly practices that are good for the planet.  Our pets rely on us to provide for them; they are not aware of the toxic overload that may surround them in their homes and communities.

There is a lot of information online about green living, which can be overwhelming.  I simplify the process for pet parents who don’t know where to start, don’t have the knowledge, patience or time to do all the research to start living green with their pets.  Through my services, pet parents become aware of the options and the solutions they have available.  I help them discover new ways to immediately implement easy steps to green their pets, themselves and transform their homes to healthy living spaces so their pets can live long, healthy lives.

For instance, my One-On-One Personalized Phone Consultation covers a thorough assessment of what your pets are exposed to, your home environment and the potential risks to your pets and you.  I provide you with recommendations and solutions to improve the health and safety of your pets and to create a toxic-free home.

Chris: If someone wanted to start living green with their pets, but didn’t know what to do, what would you suggest?

Marisa: That’s an excellent question, Chris, because I believe many people face that situation.  They hear about “going green” or having a “green pet”, but they may feel overwhelmed by all the information out there, which, in turn leads to a standstill.  I would suggest starting with small steps, actually one step at a time so that taking action is doable and satisfying.  Once pet parents see the benefits, I believe they will be motivated to move on to their second green step and so forth.

A good way to start living green with your pets is by starting to think toxic-free and learning to identify harmful, toxic substances you don’t want for your precious pets, yourself or your home.  This gives you a foundation to start eliminating toxic products.  It’s important to read labels.  The words “caution,” “warning” and “danger” point to the toxic ingredients in a product.  You need to avoid them!  Buy products that are free of synthetic ingredients like colorants, fragrances and preservatives, and are cruelty-free; that is, not tested on animals.

An example on how to apply this information to start living green with your pets is with flea and tick products.  Read the labels of whatever product you intend to buy.  The conventional flea and tick products on the market are highly toxic; they are pesticides, basically!  Pesticides are poisons and we know that they are dangerous and harmful to the environment, but what effect is it having on our precious pets?!

If you are currently using these toxic treatments on your pet, first, get rid of those collars, spot-on treatments, etc.  Detoxify your house by washing bedding, clothing, and other things with which your pet has come in contact.  This leads you to your second green step; that is, the use of a natural, biodegradable, phosphate, formaldehyde and chemical-free laundry detergent.   It’s also important to bathe your pet regularly using a natural, bio-degradable, chemical, phosphate and cruelty-free pet shampoo.  And by doing this you easily move on to your third step of grooming your pet with non-toxic products.  As you can see, one step leads you to another and as you move on, you will have the awareness and information to select toxic-free and eco-friendly products for your pets and yourself.

Chris: It’s been wonderful to talk to you today.  Please tell everyone how they can reach you on the web and on Social Media.

Marisa, I wish you all the luck in the world on your Animal Sanctuary and thank goodness there are people like you that care deeply for the animals that have no voice.

Marisa: Thank you very much, Chris!  I’ve enjoyed our talk, as well.  I appreciate your good wishes and the work you do to help animals, as well.  Every step, every action counts!

I can be reached via my website:  www.GreenPetsEcoLiving.com , Twitter:  http://twitter.com/marisa_herrera ; Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MarisaHerreraDupuis , and my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/MarisaHerreraDupuis

Chris L Wagner

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