ABC Update
Posted on October 1, 2008 by
UPDATE: ABC has just linked to my content. Wow, this has been an interesting morning. Thanks for the support!
Hmmmm . . . .
My friend Michele e-mailed this morning that they made kitty litter out of newspaper and baking soda this morning on Good Morning America.
So, I looked it up. Their process was EXACTLY my process, even using the same descriptions. I mean, I’m ALL for EVERYONE making their own kitty litter, but they could have at least given me credit for it. Is it that hard to put a link up?
Here’s a clip from my kitty litter post (which I wrote on February 19,2008):
So after a week or so of brainstorming, I came up with this recipe for homemade kitty litter.
- Shred newspaper in a paper shredder. I collect the shredded paper in an unused litter box.
- Soak the paper in warm water mixed with a few squirts gentle, biodegradable dish soap (like Ecover). The shredded paper takes on a cooked oatmeal consistency. The paper won’t come completely clean, but the water will turn grey.
- Drain the water (an old colander works wonders) and repeat the soaking process minus the soap.
- Sprinkle baking soda liberally on the wet paper. Knead it in to the mixture (you might want to wear gloves to avoid getting ink on your hands).
- Squeeze the remaining moisture out until it’s as dry as you can get it.
- Crumble over a screen and leave to dry (it takes a few days).
Once it’s dry, I put about an inch and a half to two inches of the paper crumbles in the litter box, scoop solids daily and change it once a week. It takes about a half an hour to 45 minutes to make a 2-3 week supply of litter, and it’s kind of fun, in an elementary school art project way.
Here’s ABC’s instructions:
Homemade Kitty Litter
Savings: $120
I know it sounds a little wild, but, yes, you can make your own kitty litter. And it only takes about a half-hour to do.
I’m not suggesting that all Americans who own a cat should make their own kitty litter. But it shows that anything you want to make you can find the instructions online.
To make the kitty litter, you shred newspaper and then wash it in soapy water. You stir it up until it’s the consistency of oatmeal; then you take all of that and rinse it out and strain it in a colander.
Add baking soda and knead it in. Break it up so it looks like pebbles. Then put it on a screen to dry. Let it dry overnight and it will be ready the next day. It doesn’t have the fancy clumping capabilities of expensive kitty litter. But it does the trick, and the baking soda does a great job killing the odor, and it can save you $120 a year.
Unlike ABC, I’m actually going to credit them for their content, so here’s the link to the whole article. I really wish they’d do the same and link to me.
I’d even let them use the picture of my three-legged cat if they wanted.
What JERKS!!!
Dugg:
http://digg.com/television/Does_ABC_Steal_Content_from_Bloggers
(by “GreenGirlJess”, thanks!)
I’m outraged. I’m going to digg right now. Allie, you deserve all the credit in the world for this fantastic litter recipe.
Thanks so much!
It’s up on Reddit now too, apparently.
http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/74lxa/does_abc_steal_content_from_bloggers/
[...] also visit her because it appears as ABC has used her famous kitty litter recipe in an article without giving her credit. If you want to take a minute to go show her some support, I’m sure she will appreciate [...]
Ripped-off! Bunch of amateurs.
And I disagree with ABC, the spineless bastards: I suggest all Americans with a cat SHOULD make their own kitty litter.
They linked you now!
Awesome! Thanks, Jamie! And thanks to everyone who dugg and commented and tweeted, etc!
Great post and I’m glad they linked to your content. If everyone followed your recipe, it would be one more way to reuse newspaper and it would cut down on miles driven for products (cat litter) we use.
I don’t have a cat but if I ever get another one, I will definitely use your litter recipe. Thanks Allie.
Wow, that was rude of them. Stealers.
Oh wait, now they linked to you? Good for you for calling them out!
[...] a lot of you do. Allie has GREAT instructions for making your own cat litter. Here’s the link, please check it out so you can spend that money on cat treats instead of [...]
what a bunch of thieving bastards
I’m a little in awe of you for making your own kitty litter
I don’t have a cat but I’m pretty sure if I did, I would be too lazy to do it
That’s freakin awesome! I have 4 cats so I’m going to definitely try it out.
I know I’m late to the party here, but:
1. ABC is the worst of the big three networks, so don’t feel too bad.
2. DAMN! Love the new digs!
Wow, glad to hear they at least gave you a tiny bit of credit!
With 3 cats, I am so grateful you posted this because I am going to try it! Thanks so much for this great idea!
Michele P.
Okay, just because of this (which I’m just now reading because for some reason I wasn’t getting my blog subscription notices for the last 2 weeks from Feedblitz) I’m going to make your cat litter. Finally. AND of course I will link back to you.
Hmm… maybe Sunday…
Beth
Girl I loved your article! and I’m gonna write to them & comlain that they give credit where credit is due! This sight is great, and if a tiny mention by them opens more peoples eyes to the green & easy lifestyle, as well as the eatthly benifits than they need to speak up!
I haven’t tried the green litter yet. I just saw your article this week. I want to say I am going to try it in my wasing machine by putting the paper in converted drawstring pillow cases, using the soak cycle and then the drain & spin cycle! I will dry it in the dryer as many people have commented on their success with this method. Any thing to make diy & being green easier. I will post agian with a link if anyone wants to tell ABC to give credit to you.
My Comment to ABC(POO on 500 words or less)I saw a DIY from GMA on homemade cat litter and I was
impressed to see it. It is important that a show like you promote sustainable living. I think the credit for this idea does not rest fully on ABC, I saw this very same idea had been previously published 8 &1/2 months before your story. This story is appropriate in today’s climate, a re-airing of this story with the original author is due. http://thegreenists.com/tip-of-the-day/tip-of-the-day-make-your-own-kitty-litter/1044
Everyone please urge them to re-air this with full credit!
http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346&cat=Good%20Morning%20America