The Natural Resources Defense Council, a leader in saving the environment, issued a report in 2000 called Poison on Pets, with a list of dangerous chemicals contained in flea and tick products; since then, the NRDC has helped to get most of the poisons banned, and is working on getting rid of the final two still on the market.

The issue is so important that the NRDC has created a special web site — www.GreenPaws.org — to increase awareness of pesticide use on and around pets. Many of the most popular brands of flea and tick treatments and their ingredients are listed, with possible side-effects including cancer-causing agents.

The site also has tips on how to protect your pet without the use of chemicals, including regular combing and baths.

As you probably know, Halo does not use any of these unsafe chemicals, and offers a full line of natural pet grooming products as a safer alternative for both your pet and the environment.

Nicole Martin, Examiner.com’s NY Pet Products Examiner reviews Halo Cloud Nine Herbal Dip, saying “Many over the counter and prescription pest control products contain chemicals that have the potential to harm both you and your pets… Thankfully there are natural solutions that do the job just as well.” Bottom line according to Martin? “The natural oils repel insects and make your pet smell great too!”

At home, we diluted Herbal Dip and spray it on our boxer boy Bert every so often, and we mix it in his Herbal Shampoo. We live in deer country so Bert needs protection, but he also shares beds with everyone in the family. We sometimes spray the beds and couch too – and the kids like the smell too.

Click here to read more.

Dr. Donna Spector, Halo’s veterinarian, recently shared some tips on how we can all learn to live the good life from our pets– relax, enjoy the sun, and eat with gusto, among other things.

Forbes just published an article, “Doting On Animals In Hard Times – Why pet owners don’t feed their beloved creatures generic brands.”

The author, Rutgers sociologist Lionel Tiger, wonders, “Why are these human beings–evidently fretfully concerned about their own welfare and resources–wasting time and money on other animals … Why do they shop the aisles of pet foods with discernment and commitment …?”

He wonders how we can possibly spend so much “resources, time and energy…on a completely wasteful economic category: pets.”

I’m guessing you have the same reaction I do.

Check out Halo’s News page to see what he has to say about Halo, and for a link to the whole story.

Everyone at Halo is honored and overjoyed by all the amazing product reviews you and other Halo pet parents post online. We’ll share some of them with you on occasion, such as this one from Donna Lee Gay Ashley on Amazon:

DREAM COAT BROUGHT RELIEF FOR MY PRECIOUS DUKE, February 17, 2009
By Donna Lee Gay Ashley

My Golden Lab, Duke, suffered terribly with very huge and very red hot spots on his trunk and had itching and balding on his haunches from flea allergies. For two years, we treated him at the vet’s and I also bought every product I could find everywhere else to try to help him. All the expense (apprx. $2,000) and vet treatment would bring him relief for about two weeks at a time, then it was back to severe discomfort. In desperation I continued to search. My eyes fell upon “Dream Coat” at a Whole Foods Market. I bought it and started putting tablespoons full on his food. About 10 days later and less than 1/2 a bottle later, I was walking him on a leash and I was shocked – he was trotting along and I saw that his fur had bulked out significantly in volume – I searched him for hot spots and THERE WAS NONE. He never had another flea problem in his life and he was happy and healthy from then on. I took him to see Dr. Sue and she was dumbfounded when she saw Duke. (I also believe Dream Coat added many happy years to his life expectancy and much more happiness to mine because of it.) Dr. Sue exclaimed, “What have you done to cure him?!” I told her about Dream Coat. She has since recommended Dream Coat to all her Pet Parents. I want to take this stuff myself.

Thanks so much, Donna – and we’re so glad your boy Duke is golden again!

Click here to see the review on Amazon, or to comment.