As we prepare for (hopefully) warmer weather in the near future, you may be considering a new addition to the family. In your planning for a new pet there are several things that should be considered including a safe and healthy green space.

In their quest to spread the word about pet-friendly green spaces, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) environmental education and stewardship program, TurfMutt, is sponsoring a new television program, Ready, Set, Pet.

The program aims to educate and inform teens and their families about pet adoption, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of a green space for pets. The host, Phil Torres, guides a family through the pet adoption process. Frequent guest on the program and president of OPEI, Kris Kiser works with professional landscapers to implement TurfMutt tips.

“With the growing recognition of the importance of getting kids outdoors, TurfMutt is creating safe and healthy spaces for them, their families and our pets,” says Kiser. “Ready, Set Pet will help us inspire more people with our message: green space is vital to our health. Your yard is not only an outdoor family room but a living ecosystem that helps combat pollution, gives a home to wildlife including a wide range of insects, birds and other pollinators, and makes us healthier and happier.”

“The TurfMutt program has reached more than 68 million children, educators and families, since 2009, showing them how they can ‘save the planet, one yard at a time’,” says Kiser. In conjunction with its education partner Scholastic, the youth education program educates children in grades K-5 and their families on the importance of caring for these important green spaces.

Catch the next episode of Ready, Set, Pet this Saturday (January 26, 2019) on The CW’s One Magnificent Morning (check your local listings). Kris Kiser will stop by to share some tips on how to make the backyard a great place for both the family and pollinators!