BOULDER, COLO. — The Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) released its new Blueprint to Responsibly Sourcing Animal Proteins resource to help pet food processors make informed decisions regarding the environmental and social impacts of sourcing animal proteins. 

According to the PSC, the drive for companies to produce cheap, abundant products to meet consumer demand has contributed to significant issues, including rising environmental and social impacts, and concerns on animal welfare throughout the pet food supply chain. 

“The pet food industry often flies under the radar when it comes to discussions about sustainability. However, it plays a pivotal role in the global food system, with a significant impact on both the environment and society,” the PSC shared. “The industry’s influence stretches far and wide, from the sources of its ingredients to the sustainability practices it promotes. This is why we’ve created an extensive Blueprint to Responsibly Sourcing Animal Proteins for the pet food industry with all the risks, challenges and information you need to make decisions regarding proteins in your pet food products.”

The guide aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Science-Based Targets (SBTi), and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). 

The Blueprint to Responsibly Sourcing Animal Proteins provides a deep look into the impacts of different animals commonly used as protein sources in pet food production, including cattle, deer, sheep, pigs, broiler chickens, egg-laying hens, turkey and salmon. For each species, the guide uncovers the animal’s impact on: 

• The environment, taking into account greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biodiversity loss, water consumption, pollution and natural ecosystem conversion
• People and communities, taking into account land resources and rights, child labor, employment practices, rights of indigenous peoples, non-discrimination, forced or compulsory labor, occupational health and safety, wages and more
• Animal welfare, taking into account breeding, feeding, housing and transporting practices, as well as humane slaughtering.

View the Pet Sustainability Coalition’s Blueprint to Responsibly Sourcing Animal Proteins here.

Read more about sustainability efforts across the pet food and treat industry.