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Safe Paws for Pets Everywhere

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Have you heard about our Safe Paws initiative and April’s Safe Paws Challenge?

The Espoma Company is equipping pet owners with tips to keep pets safe outdoors by avoiding the dangers of common lawn hazards.Safe Paws Espoma Puppies

During the month of April, we used our Facebook page to raise awareness and made a $700 donation to the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

In addition to providing healthy and safe lawn care tips on Facebook and Twitter, we brought our Safe Paws campaign to three garden centers in the Mid-Atlantic.

Primex Garden Center, Homestead Gardens and Bucks Country Gardens welcomed us with open paws for our Safe Paws launch. Our events included on-site adoptions, local vet Q&A’s, a Safe Paws photo booth, treats and more from local pet vendors.

What great events! We had perfect weather and great turnouts. Most importantly, we heard from every pet parent that a healthy lifestyle for their pets in their #1 priority.

We listened to pet parents tell their tales and we heard their concerns. Some of you never considered the damage harsh chemicals could be doing to your animals! But many of you told us stories about your sick pets, and how you’ve stopped using chemicals on your lawn to protect them.

Lawn chemicals are potentially harmful to both cats and dogs that run and play in yards, neighborhoods and parks, and may be a contributing factor in the increase of cancer in pets. According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, an alarming one out of every three dogs is diagnosed with cancer.

With knowledge, there is power. So we’re working to make sure every home is aware of the benefits of an organic lawn.

Our new Safe Paws guide, which we unveiled at the events, showed guests that

It’s surprisingly easy to do our job when surrounded by puppies!

Baxter Safe Paws

Five tips for keeping paws safe:

  1. Inspect your yard for hazards. Dogs and cats are curious. Keep dangerous chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides, paint and gasoline out of reach.
  2. Switch to an organic lawn food. Harmful lawn chemicals can easily be ingested or tracked into homes, keep them off of lawns to begin with. Espoma’s annual feeding program features products that provide 2.5x more slow release nitrogen than the leading conventional program. And you don’t have to worry about your kids or pets rolling around in chemicals on the lawn.
  3. Encourage pets to stay away from certain areas in the yard by creating borders using soft materials like cedar mulch.
  4. Provide shade and shelter for pets while they’re hanging out on the lawn. Consider adding a dog house and provide plenty of water.
  5. Fleas and ticks hide in longer grass. Mow your lawn to the proper height to keep fleas and ticks at bay.

Share a photo of your favorite pet on our Facebook page! And let us know where you’d like us to have Safe Paws events next year!

By Invitation Only – Yappy Hour at the Philadelphia Flower Show Friday 3/6

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This week, we welcome one of our favorite months. March marks the start of spring, so cherry blossoms, forsythia and green grass will emerge soon.

Lucky for those of us around Philadelphia, we get to immerse ourselves in the smells, colors and blooms of spring now!

The 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show debuted this past Friday and runs through Sunday, March 8.

At the world’s largest indoor flower show, you’re instantly transported to a red-carpet movie premiere bejeweled with countless flowers. See recreated scenes from your favorite Disney and Pixar movies, such as Frozen, Cars and Cinderella, made from the brightest, biggest blooms.

Still planning when to experience the Technicolor world of floral cinema?

Mark your calendars for this Friday, March 6 – the Flower Show’s first ever Fido Friday and Espoma’s Yappy Hour from 6-9 p.m.!

Join us for the launch of our Safe Paws campaign and learn how to keep pets protected outside by creating a safe, healthy environment.

Naturally, you and your pets have been dreaming about spring and summer’s green grasses. But, did you know many lawn chemicals and pesticides can harm dogs and children?

Learn easy, natural solutions to make your yard and garden as healthy and safe as can be. After all, we know the best kept secrets since we’ve been developing organic lawn care products for over 85 years.

Grab a leash and enjoy the Flower Show with your pup. You can learn about outdoor pet safety, experience a canine fashion show, and meet local gardeners, too.

Join us for Espoma’s first ever Yappy Hour at the Philadelphia Flower Show this Friday, March 6 from 6-9 p.m.

And for great ideas on beautiful container gardening, stop by the Espoma exhibit anytime this week in Show Floor Hall B Front.

Comment below and tell us about your canine companion– and if you’ll be joining us this Friday!

Espoma Makes a Big Entrance at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

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We are proud to continue our efforts to support gardening education and culture by continuing to sponsor the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show for the third consecutive year.

Bringing a quarter-million visitors to Philadelphia each year, the show is the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the country. It features incredible large-scale floral displays, elaborate gardens and over-the-top floral creations.

Now, in its 187th year, the 2015 Flower Show will roll out the red carpet and “Celebrate the Movies.” Attendees will experience the magic of Disney Pixar as they walk through floral displays highlighting their favorite films, special events and more in celebration of the silver screen.

Also lighting up the silver screen, our container garden exhibit will inspire stunning designs using organic products. Marvel at how you can grow colorful flowers and nutritious, fresh vegetables in small spaces and containers.

We are excited to once again work with PHS as a Contributing Sponsor of the Philadelphia Flower Show. This truly magical event celebrates the joy and wonder that gardening can bring to everyone regardless of their skill level — novice to Master Gardener.

Attending this show this year? It is open from Saturday February 28th through March 8th at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Visit our exhibit in Show Floor Hall B Front.

Show the Love for Pets This February

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Even the furriest of companions deserve extra love this month. The Espoma Company helps show four-legged friends love this Valentine’s Day, National Love Your Pet Day and every day.

One in five Americans will take their pets into consideration when purchasing gifts this Valentine’s Day, according to a study by the National Retail Federation. Animal lovers can show pets some extra affection this month by also celebrating National Love Your Pet Day Friday, February 20.

During the month of love and every day, make sure pets are healthy, happy and secure. Appreciate pets for their loyalty with these top five ways to #LoveYourPet this February:

Keep them safe: Pets can play with things that are harmful if swallowed. It’s the duty of the pet owner to make sure that pets have an environment that is safe to play in. Remove dangerous materials such as string, ribbon, rubber bands and small children’s toys to pet proof a house.

Chemicals on lawns can pose a risk to lovable pets, too. Use an organic, pet-friendly lawn food, like the Espoma Organic annual feeding program, to ensure lawns look beautiful and pets’ paws stay safe.

Take pets for a walk: On average, dog owners walk their dogs 300 minutes per week according to the SPCA. Help pets to build confidence and trust, lose weight and reduce problem behaviors by taking them for a walk today. Exercise provides numerous health benefits for both pets and their owners.

Give them something to play with: Toys help fight boredom, burn off energy and prove comforting for dogs and cats left alone. They can even help prevent pets from developing certain problem behaviors. Take 10 extra minutes to play tug-a-war or surprise pets with a new toy.

Teach them a new trick: Teaching pets a new trick and rewarding them with praise and affection is a great way to express love. Teach pups how to give a high-five or cats how to fetch.

A simple belly rub: The easiest way to show affection is with a simple pat or cuddle. Scratch behind their ears and snuggle up together.

Show pets extra love this month and they’ll return the favor the entire year!