LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - So far, an estimated 3.5 million gallons of oil have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico since an explosion on April 20 on a drilling rig.
People in the community are lending a helping hand to help contain the oil. It can be as simple as brushing your cat or giving your dog a haircut.
Workers are using our four legged friends' fur to soak up oil.
"Hair and fur is unique in its ability to draw oil to it," explained Veterinarian Todd Clark.
If you brush your cat or groom your dog, save their hair. Creekside Animal Hospital is collecting all animal hair, including horse hair. They're also collecting bird feathers. All this will be sent to the Gulf of Mexico to help soak up oil.
"They stuff it into, essentially, panty hose, and create long booms or cords of this stuffed material," Clark said. "They use that as a containment vehicle for the oil. They also convert it into a three-quarter-inch mat. Clean wildlife or place them in cages, the mat is used underneath to help soak up the oil."
If you aren't giving your pet a hair cut, brushing their fur will get a lot of hair.
"It gets warmer and warmer, dogs and cats both tend to thin their coats out for the heat. Lots of opportunities if people are combing," Clark said.
Creekside will be mailing the hair in five pound boxes. Clark said they will keep sending hair as long as there is a need for it. He asks that donations be fairly clean animal fur.
Creekside is also asking groomers around the area to donate. Tricia Davis owns Tricia's Dog House in Lafayette and said she grooms so many dogs, she has garbage cans full of fur at the end of the day.
"On an average, about two to three garbage bags a day. It is usually just thrown away but now we will definitely take it and donate it," Davis said.
As Davis points out, the fur not only helps with the oil spill, it also is a way to go green.
"You win on both sides. A: number one, it is not in a landfill and A: number two, it is going to help the oil spill," she said.
You can drop off donations of any size at the Creekside Animal Hospital at 2840 Schuyler Avenue, Lafayette or call them at (765) 742-0140 for more information.
http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/living_green...n-up-oil-spill
INSTRUCTIONS - HOW TO SEND HAIR / FUR / NYLONS
All salons, groomers, wool farmers, individuals, pet owners... Everyone is welcome!
We have many temporarily donated warehouses of various sizes strategically placed along the Gulf Coast. We are coordinating space for donations and emailing addresses to you to make sure booms are effectively distributed. We are sending notifications out in waves every 24 hours at 12:00 Noon PST. Thank you!
A) Everyone please SIGN UP with our donor database program Excess Access. It's FREE & FAST and it allows us to coordinate masses of people and tons of donations.
B) Click on Activation link that we email to you (it may take over an hour to get due to huge response!)
C) Login and click on How This Works.
D) Once you have been EMAILED AN ADDRESS, Please see "GET STARTED" BELOW and follow our Instructions for sending hair / fur / wool / nylons.
http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html