The Dirty Truth

How much does my dog poop?
From dachshunds to great danes, dogs vary greatly in size and diet, so it’s hard to say exactly. That said, however, it’s estimated that average dog poops 1-2 times and discards a total of ¾ lbs. of waste every day.

Over time this adds up to approximately 5.25 lbs per week; 22.5 lbs per month; and 274 lbs per year.

What is the best way to dispose of dog poop?
Pet waste pickup is an important tenet of responsible dog ownership. The first step is picking up what your pet leaves behind. The second is making sure it is disposed of properly.

We recommend scooping waste into a trash bag, then double-wrapping it with another bag and placing in the garbage to be collected and taken to the landfill. However, you should check to make sure this method of disposal is in accordance with local laws and regulations.

If you do follow the bag and garbage method, be sure to double bag the waste and tie knots at the top of both bags to ensure the waste is properly sealed. This is to protect garbage collectors from coming into contact with the waste upon pickup.

Is dog waste a good fertilizer?
No – quite the opposite, in fact. Leaving dog waste on the ground or concentrating it in one specific area of the yard can seriously harm soil quality and also presents a number of potential human health hazards to families and their pets.

The idea that Fido or Fluffy’s waste is a natural fertilizer is a commonly held misconception stemming from the use of cow or horse manure as a soil enhancer. But not all waste is made equal and whether a specific animal’s waste is beneficial to the ground it lays on depends primarily upon the animal’s diet. As a rule of thumb, in order for waste to be used as an effective fertilizer it must consist mainly of digested plant matter.

Cows and horses are herbivores, which makes their waste ideal for use as fertilizer. In contrast, a dog’s diet is made up of mostly animal products, making their waste unsuitable for soil enrichment.

Beyond your grass, it has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. EPA even estimates that two or three days’ worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing.

 Dog feces are one of the most common carriers of the following diseases:

• Heartworms
  
• Whipworms
  
• Hookworms
  
• Roundworms
  
• Tapeworms
  
• Parvo
  
• Corona
  
• Giardiasis
  
• Salmonellosis
  
• Cryptosporidiosis
  
• Campylobacteriosis
  

For example, in the Four Mile Run watershed in Northern Virginia, a dog population of 11,400 is estimated to contribute about 5,000 pounds of solid waste every day and has been identified as a major contributor of bacteria to the stream. Nearly 500 fecal coliform samples have been taken from Four Mile Run and its tributaries since 1990, and about 50 percent of these samples have exceeded the Virginia State water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria, according to EPA. 

Why all this fanfare for feces, you may ask?

Well, EPA explains that the decay of your pet’s waste actually creates nutrients for weeds and algae that grow in the waterways. As these organisms thrive on your dog’s droppings, they overtake the water in a “Little Shop of Horrors-esque” manner, and limit the amount of light that can penetrate the water’s surface. As a result, oxygen levels in the water decrease, and the fish and seafood we eat can be asphyxiated, EPA says.A Toxic Cycle

If you aren’t worried about the state of your local waterways, you may be a bit more concerned about the impact of dog waste a little closer to home. The thing about persistently disposing of stools improperly (or not at all) is that it kicks off a harmful cycle that can affect your whole family—including your pet.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pet droppings can contribute to diseases animals pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected dog poop is deposited on your lawn, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in your soil for years. Anyone who comes into contact with that soil—be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any other means—runs the risk of coming into contact with those eggs; especially your dog. 

    Some of the hard-to-pronounce parasites your lawn could harbor include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, as well as hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms. Infections from these bugs often cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. Children are most susceptible, since they often play in the dirt and put things in their mouths or eyes.What You Can Do

If you are far too harried to keep vigilant watch over your dog’s leftovers, you may want to hire a pooper-scooper company to manage the dog waste. EPA discovered from a survey that 40 percent of the people who live in the area immediately surrounding the Chesapeake Bay—which experienced significant pollution throughout much of the 1990s—did not pick up after their dogs because it was “too much work.” 

Others neglected to do so because they assumed it eventually goes away, or because the dog deposited the feces in an area far from the water, such as in the owner’s yard or in the woods.  For all of these reasons, EPA says, “The reluctance of many residents to handle dog waste is the biggest limitation to controlling pet waste.” 

So, in essence, the cycle begins and ends with you.  In the instance of the Chesapeake Bay survey, 44 percent of dog walkers who did not pick up after their dogs indicated they would still refuse to pick up—even if confronted by complaints from neighbors, threatened with fines, or provided with more sanitary and convenient options for retrieving and disposing of dog waste. 

Perhaps if they knew there were services designed to put poop at their disposal, they would not let Rover’s relief become their neighbors’ nuisance.

What to Expect - Commercial

1. On your scheduled service days, a Doody Squad pet waste technician will arrive at your business.
   
2. (If Gated) Double gate check upon entering each service area to insure all is well, gates are always shut behind us to avoid any runners.
   
3. He or she will walk your service area in a grid-like pattern with their eyes scanning back and forth across their path, collecting every doggie deposit spotted along the way. Once the first pass is complete, they will circle around and walk the path a second time. Very similar to grass cutting.
   
4. We scoop all poop into a receptacle lined with a fresh waste bag. Once your service area is complete, we place the full bag in another fresh one and tie them securely with an overhand knot at the top.
   
5. These are always taken away with us - NEVER placed in trash onsite.
6. (If Gated) Double gate check upon exiting each service area to insure all is well, gates are always shut behind us to avoid any runners.
   
7. Next, it’s back to our truck to clean and disinfect all of our equipment – even our shoes! – to ensure waste from one client’s service area never enters another.
   

Dogs Poop, We Scoop - No Dog too big or small, we scoop them all!

Contact Today: 334-235-3959 /thedoodysquad@gmail.com

• We charge by the yard up to 5 dogs. For more than 5 dogs, call for quote.      
• Our one time premium service can be for spring cleaning, birthday parties, football parties, real estate showings and Easter cleaning just to name a few.
  

What to Expect - Residential

1. On your scheduled service days, a Doody Squad pet waste technician will arrive at your home.
   
2. Double gate check upon entering each yard to insure all is well, gates are always shut behind us to avoid any runners.
   
3. He or she will walk your yard in a grid-like pattern with their eyes scanning back and forth across their path, collecting every doggie deposit spotted along the way. Once the first pass is complete, they will circle around and walk the path a second time. Very similar to grass cutting.
   
4. We scoop all poop into a receptacle lined with a fresh waste bag. Once your yard is complete, we place the full bag in another fresh one and tie them securely with an overhand knot at the top.
   
5. These are always taken away with us - NEVER placed in your trash.
   
6. Double gate check upon exiting each yard to insure all is well, gates are always shut behind us to avoid any runners.
   
7. Next, it’s back to our truck to clean and disinfect all of our equipment – even our shoes! – to ensure waste from one client’s yard never enters another.
   
8. Last but not least, we leave a small door hanger to let you know that your yard is now perfectly clean and ready to enjoy!
   

• We charge based on square footage services and estimated amount of dogs in or around the area being serviced.
• Our one time premium service can be for spring cleaning, real estate showings and any outdoor events you may be having just to name a few.
  
• Pet waste station will be cleaned, sanitized, deodorized and all wasted removed.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

After more than 6 years and after thousands of cleanups in and around Montgomery, Pike Road, Prattville and Millbrook yards and properties, we've answered a lot of questions about Scooping Poop. We've put our collection of the most commonly asked questions here for you. If you have a question that we did not show here, please use the contact page and ask away! Chances are someone else has the same question.

Why hire Pet Scoop Services?
We are a Montgomery, Pike Road, Prattville, Wetumpka and Millbrook's Preferred Pooper Scooper Business.
We have been doing pet waste removal in the area since 2010. Our staff is committed to providing you with professional, caring pooper scooper service at an affordable rate. We can help you to provide a clean, healthy environment for your family and pets. Start enjoying your yard and pets again by simply calling us at 334-235-3959 and you can become one of our many satisfied clients; we guarantee it!

Do you make sure my dogs don't get out of the yard...
Safety is our main priority!
We are very conscientious about making sure that gates are firmly secured while in the yard and when leaving. We take extra care to make sure that your dog stays in the yard while we enter and exit the yard.
We are proud to say that we have never lost a dog!

Is there an extra charge for the first dog waste cleanup?
NO, we are able to start pooper scooper services for you at our basic rates.

How am I charged for the pet waste removal services?
We do not require advance payments!
We will send you a bill on the first of each month after the dog waste cleanup services are rendered for the previous month. We want you to be completely satisfied in knowing that you received exceptional pet waste removal services before paying for it. We accept checks, most major credit cards, online bill pay, Venmo or you can pay through our secure Quick Books emailed link.

What areas do you service?
We are the only pet waste removal service...
in the Montgomery, Pike Road, Prattville, Wetumpka and Millbrook area that covers all these areas. If you have any questions about our poop scoop services area

please call 334-235-3959.

Who should hire a professional Pooper Scooper service?
Dog owners...
Who are unable, unwilling or just want to enjoy their yard and pets without the hassle of dog waste clean up. Those parents with small children who enjoy playing outside or if you use your yard often. Those with physical or visual impairments that find it difficult or impossible to clean your yard. Those who have better things to do than dog poop cleanup.

Am I required to sign a contract?
No! You can start and stop your service at any time.
There is no minimum service period. Since we started in 2010, we have been committed to building customer loyalty through great service, not long-term contracts.

Should I unlock my gate?
Yes. Pet Scoop Service employees are not allowed to climb or jump over fences.
Please have your gate unlocked on your service day. If you like, we can loan you a lock (at no cost). Our Professional Pooper Scoopers will contact you if special dog poop pickup is needed.

Will I need to confine or restrain my dog?
Not unless your dog is potentially aggressive.
Pet Scoop waste techs love dogs and really enjoy spending time with them!  In fact, "Passion for Pets" is one of our Core Values.  However, they also love their fingers, so if your dog is aggressive, we will have to ask you to restrain or confine your Cujo.   Please contact us about your situation if there is any question about your dog's temperament.

Do you do dog poop removal all year, including rain?
Yes! We offer pet waste cleanup and removal all year. Inclement weather may delay our professional pooper scoopers from time to time but we are usually able to catch up on our scheduled dog waste clean up day. Rain can make things very messy for us and the yard. If its too wet, its sliding poop not scooping poop which is not good for anyone.

What about holidays?
We work most of the summer holidays
In order to meet your need to have a clean yard for those special events. However, we do not work the following holidays:
Thanksgiving
Christmas
New Years

What about vacation days when I need my service skipped?
Please give us as much notice as possible so we can "skip" that service.  If we have at least 24 hours notice and the dog(s) will not be using the yard, there will be no charge for that "skipped" service.  Have a great vacation!

What happens if we get another dog?
Call us and let us know about the new addition. No extra cost as long as you are at or below 5 dogs.

What happens if we move?
No Problem.
If you are moving within the our service area, just give us a call and we can move your service to your new home address. You can then have your pooper scooper service continue smoothly so when you get to your new house, we already have dog waste clean up set up for you.