A number of grooming salons have been shipping donations of pet fur to aid in creating absorbent booms to soak up and remove oil from the recent spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Involving its nationwide network of salons, Petco is organizing its own effort with the help of Matter of Trust, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that has established a process for donating animal fur and human hair, which naturally absorb oil, to create the booms. A recent article in the Journal Times noted that Pet Pals Grooming Salon in Racine, Wis., is also working with Matter of Trust.

Once fur shipments arrive in the Gulf Coast region, volunteers gather to assemble the booms and prepare for their deployment. The booms are made by stuffing donated nylon stockings with hair and fur.

“As soon as we heard about the call for pet fur to help with oil cleanup, we knew we were in a unique position to help,” Petco CEO Jim Myers said. “With customers coming into our grooming salons every day throughout the country, we have a tremendous amount of material to contribute. This is a wonderful way for Petco, our foundation and our customers to help protect the environment and the aquatic and bird life now at risk in the Gulf area. Everyone in the company, especially our grooming team, is excited to provide this unique assistance, and our customers are asking about it too.”

Petco expects to ship up to a ton of fur a day from its nearly 1,000 grooming salons. The company encourages pet owners who want to participate to visit their local Petco grooming salon for any grooming service that includes a fur trim. <HOME>