New Invasive Species Campaign in Michigan Purpose: educating retailers and consumers about animal and plant containment and disposal options Encourage your local retailers to participate and to display educational materials! Learn more at bit.ly/miripple & facebook.com/miripple RIPPLE is a partnership between Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Environmental Quality, and Natural Resources
RIPPLE Materials are available Free print and digital materials are available! Visit bit.ly/getmiripple to order FREE materials Visit facebook.com/miripple to share the RIPPLE message Have an event coming up? RIPPLE standup banners and display boards are available
Steps to Reduce Pet and Water Garden Escapes Never release fish or plants into the environment. Give or trade unwanted fish or plants with another hobbyist, environmental learning center, aquarium or zoo. Seal aquatic plants for disposal in a plastic bag in the trash. Do not compost. Inspect and rinse new aquatic plants to rid them of seeds, plant fragments, snails and fish (eggs). Build water gardens well away from other waters. Contact a veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance on humane disposal of animals.
Contain Your Pets and Plants Never release unwanted pets or plants into the environment Release can: Spread disease Create Michigan’s next most wanted invasive species!
Pick The Right Pet Pets take responsibility. Before purchasing consider: Pet life expectancy- many reptiles, birds and fish live well over 20 years! Future size and housing needs What kind of food it eats, how often it eats and its availability When it comes to owning a pet, a quick decision is usually a poor decision. Sulcata Tortoise. Live up to 70 yrs. Ball Python Live up to 30 yrs. Goldfish Live up to 25 yrs.
Have an Unwanted Pet? Return it to a pet store Give or trade with another hobbyist or environmental learning center Contact a veterinarian for euthanasia options
Prevent Escapes from Water Gardens Non-native plants are sold in the water garden trade. Never release into the wild. Inspect and rinse aquatic plants- they can contain seeds, plant fragments and snails. Build water gardens away waterways. Seal plants for disposal in a plastic bag. Give or trade with another hobbyists or environmental learning centers.