Pet Projects: The Greening of Animal Shelters

Animal shelters have always saved lives. Now they're also helping to save the environment. In the United States and Canada, at least a dozen green shelters are open, under construction, or being planned. Planet-friendly features include vegetated roofing, solar power, water recycling, and geothermal climate control.

The Potter League for Animals in Middleton, Rhode Island, opened its environmentally responsible facility in November, and in 2004 the Tompkins County SPCA in Ithaca, New York, became the first animal shelter to earn a silver LEED rating.

--Debra J. White