Hello Fellow Pet Lovers!

Thanks so much for visiting Dixie’s Pet Project.

 Here at Dixie’s we’re dedicated to leaving a Greener Pawprint.

 What does this mean exactly? Well, as you may have surmised, it has everything to do with protecting our planet, and the health and well being of all who inhabit it. Whether you have two legs, four legs, fins or roots, it is our responsibility to do our best to keep our world safe. In our own little way, Dixie’s Pet Project is doing our best to produce our product line in the safest, cleanest way possible. This is an ongoing evolution, and we are committed to educating ourselves daily on just how to make this happen.

 Here are just a few ways we are already doing our part.

Perhaps you have heard of the recent influx of lead based products out of China. Children’s toys are laden with lead paint. Their jewelry is manufactured using metals

which have dangerously high lead content. The government has stepped in with regulations on lead content to protect our children. Thank goodness. There currently are no regulations on lead content whatsoever with regards to pet product. Animals are greatly affected by lead poisoning too. That doesn’t sit well with us, so we create our entire line of pet tags and people jewelry alike using the same quality metal now used in children’s jewelry. Our pets deserve similar consideration don’t you agree? If you’d like to see further information on these issues, click on the clip below from WBZ Boston’s newscast of March 12, 2008. You can also get further information from the following links:

That’s just the beginning really. Moving forward, our Greener Pawprint line will not only continue to be lead safe, but we will utilize unique finishing techniques that will eliminate the need to rely on harmful electroplating.  It is possible to create jewelry and pet tags that are attractive and lustrous without enlisting the services of businesses that have a notorious reputation of polluting our rivers, lakes and oceans. We even use stainless steel links, split rings and other hardware so they need no electroplating.

We here in Rhode Island, the Ocean State, have a long, well documented history of being the Costume Jewelry Capitol of the World. That has changed somewhat since imports from China Have taken over the industry. However, during its hay-day, there were many, many, cases of toxic waste dumping by the companies responsible for electroplating costume jewelry gold or silver.

Now, this lead based jewelry coming from China, is being electroplated there. The problem still exists, just in their end of the world.  Did you know that the science of layering gold or sterling silver over base metals requires the use of cyanide, nickel, chromate, lead, and other toxins? It’s not a great environment to work in, and doesn’t exactly do wonders ecologically when wastes are not disposed of properly. We can make it pretty without their help using a process with virtually no chemical waste, just a bit of water. For more information on electro-plating’s effects on people and the environment, click on the links below.

 How far are we taking this? We are now researching biodegradable packaging for our items, never mind just recycled paper products. We already use corn starch based shipping “peanuts” to ship our items. There is even more to come.

Stay tuned as we leave a Greener Pawprint wherever we go.