Pet Hair Needed in Oil Disaster Cleanup... reads the headline in this July issue of The Whole Dog Journal. Pet Hair Donated for Oil Spill... reads a similar header in July's Pet Age. There are many more articles, and much on the internet, but these two just happen to be open before me as I sit here eyeing the masses of hair sprouting from my two Shih Tzu furkids.
The idea is simple: densely packed hair, and even feathers, can act as an efficient filter to extract oil from contaminated water. Any hair will do: pet hair from dog groomers and human hair from hairdressers has been bundled into boxes across the USA and shipped to central warehouses.
Unfortunately, some engineers are saying that using the material is not feasible. The stuffed stockings can sink, resulting in even more garbage that will need to be cleaned up in the aftermath of the crisis. Commercially made booms containing manufactured oil-grabbing materials are said to more effective and easier to use than hair stuffed nylons. BP and the USA Coast Guard have now asked organizations collecting the hair to stop doing so.
Regardless of this negativity, Matter of Trust continues to maintain databases of donors and warehouses of these mini-booms. And, these are being deployed in the Gulf right now.
To get in on the action, go the the Matter of Trust website and register, and they will keep you up to date on the most current shipping addresses for donations and what's needed most right now. Hair, fur, and feathers not needed in the Gulf Coast right now will be stockpiled for future (Goddess forbid) spills around the globe.
PS - It is beyond my comprehension that it is probable, even likely, that this can or will happen again, and that we seem to be planning on it. This is another story, another rant, another loud screaming to come from Mother Nature. But think about it. Please think about it, really hard.
