K9Grass Provides Pets A Clean, Safe Environment

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by Charlene H. Carpenter,
Pet o’ Mine Editor

June, 2007 — When the Humane Society of Catawba County opens its new animal shelter this fall, its canine residents are in for a treat: Some of the kennel areas will be covered with a unique new artificial grass that is safer and cleaner than real grass.

Dave Trotter, owner of Forever Lawn of North Carolina in Mooresville, has donated 750 square feet of K9 Grass to cover the ground in the convalescing kennel areas of the new facility under construction in Hickory.

“K9 Grass is the only artificial grass designed specifically for dogs,”
says Trotter. “It has a knitted backing with Flow-through™ technology that provides total and immediate drainage of liquid waste. It has an antimicrobial agent built into the blades that helps prevent bacterial growth and control odor.”

Wanda Fitzpatrick, who recently had Trotter install 1,700 square feet at her Armadale Farm Kennel in Raleigh, says the grass looks and smells good.

“There are no odor issues because it drains real well and it looks terrific. It looks like grass,” says Fitzpatrick, “And, the dogs don’t get dirty and muddy when it rains so we aren’t constantly having to give them baths.”

The grass, which is made for kennels, boarding facilities, dog parks, veterinary offices, the homes of pet owners and anywhere pets are, is different from other artificial grasses because it has a comprehensive drainage system that keeps the grass clean and free of harmful bacteria caused by animal waste.

When it is installed indoors over concrete, Trotter puts in a system that raises the grass off the floor and allows it to drain.

K9 grass also is unique because it does not require infill, according to
Trotter.

“Most artificial grasses, 99.9 percent of them, require a crumb rubber or sand infill that goes on top of the grass and gets groomed down into the blades to help hold the blades up. The infill will absorb liquid waste and creates an environment that will cause bacteria to grow and that will hold odors,” says Trotter. “To prevent that, we created a dense bladed grass that doesn’t require infill for support and allows for immediate drainage which eliminates those problems.”

The drainage properties combined with the antimicrobial agent built into the grass keeps the grass clean and safe, according to Trotter.

The grass also is very durable. While constant use by dogs can kill real grass and leave bald areas and holes in the yard, K9 grass is durable enough to withstand the digging and chewing that
destroys real grass. The manufacturer of the grass is so confident of its performance and durability that it offers an 15-year warranty on the product.

The product isn’t just for dogs. It works just as well for other animals, says Trotter. Some zoos use it.

“It works well anywhere you need a drainable, clean and safe environment for pets,” says Trotter. “For home owners, it not only provides your pet a safe, clean environment, it helps keep your house free from muddy paw prints and debris pets bring in from the yard.”

Because of the sanitary issues the grass addresses, Fitzpatrick of Armadale Farm Kennel thinks that, it will be something that kennels will someday be required to have.

“The kennels have to be inspected by the Department of Agriculture and the inspector loved it. He even brought his boss back to see it,” says the kennel owner.

Jane Earnest, executive director of the Humane Society of Catawba County, says the grass will be a definite asset for the new shelter.

“It is perfect, you don’t need to mow it, it is easily washed off, and it
is nice and neat for that area of the new shelter.”

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