April showers may bring May flowers, but it’s impossible to enjoy blooming gardens when Fido’s landmines get in the way.
Some pet parents diligently follow their dog with a shovel or baggie. Others put the kids on waste patrol. But one pet service is gaining popularity among the do-it-for-me crowd:
Scoop it for me.
Four years ago, the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists formed with about 20 members nationwide. This year, the trade group includes 113 members in the U.S. and Canada, with five operating in Colorado.
“The professional dog-waste-removal service has exploded all over the country in the last few years,” says Sam Johnson, owner of Lakewood’s Pet Scoop Services. Johnson says his business is the largest of its kind in the state, with roughly 1,700 clients.
“It’s an inexpensive … much-needed personal service (that addresses) the one negative thing about owning a dog,” he says.
Johnson launched the company in 1994 while he was a graduate student. What started as a part-time job as he earned an MBA and a civil engineering degree quickly became a full-time endeavor because of the demand of his services.
The nature of the work makes joking easy. But Johnson takes the job seriously.
“Dog feces are a health hazard,” says the Pet Scoop founder. “We’ve also heard of (problems related to) rainwater runoff. If you don’t get the waste cleaned up quickly, you might have a contaminated water stream.”
Kathy Echternach became a Pet Scoop Services client after she saw an advertisement for the business. Cleanup crews have visited her house twice a week for several years. During that time, the company forged a significant relationship with the client and with her dogs.
“They called me one time and told me that I should check on my dog because his waste was orange,” Echternach recalls.
She called her veterinarian, only to learn that the dog probably ate too many carrots.
Another summer, before hosting a large barbecue, Echternach asked Pet Scoop Services to visit her yard every day during the week leading up to the party. They obliged.
When one of her Labrador retrievers died in February, Pet Scoop Services sent a bereavement card. “That impressed me,” she says.
Johnson underscored that his service isn’t just for people. Dogs like clean yards too.
“Sometimes they think we’re stealing their (toys),” he said. “Otherwise, they’re happy.”
Waste removal for pets
The spread of hookworms, roundworms, parvo virus, giardia and coccidia is a concern when pet droppings overwhelm yards and easements. Unchecked animal waste also has been connected to water pollution. Staying on top of cleanup beautifies landscapes. What’s more, most pet-scoop services survey for signs of animal illness. Some of them serving the metro area include:
Animals-R-Us
P.O. Box 582, Morrison, 303-933-1279, animals-r-us.com
Fee: $6-$20 for one dog
Double Doody
P.O. Box 25026, Colorado Springs, 719-330-3562, doubledoody.com
Fee: varies; estimates are free
Fido Pooper Scoopers
P.O. 19004, Denver, 303-937-3708
fidops.com
Fee: $6-$22 per month
The Grand Poobah
20269 E. Smoky Hill Road, Unit B-125, Centennial, 303-669-0943
poopguy.com
Fee: $12-$18 per month for one dog
Muttley’s Maid
P.O. Box 350781, Westminster, 720-327-2149, muttleysmaid.com
Fee: $8-$10 per week for one dog; more for first-time cleanings
Ooh Pooh!
P.O. Box 271503, Fort Collins, 970-219-3434, oohpooh.com
Fee: $7.50 per week for one dog
Pet Scoop Services
7585 W. Arkansas Ave., Lakewood, 303-202-1899,
petscoopservices.com
Fee: $4.50 to clean up twice a week after one dog; $10.50 to clean up twice a week after four dogs; $14 to clean up every other week after two dogs.
Poop Van Scoop
1310 S. Quebec Way, Denver, 303-695-4474
Fee: $23-per-month for one dog, once a week (currently only accepting commercial clients)
SCOOPS
P.O. Box 64, Brighton, 303-564-4706, pscoops.com
Fee: $8 to $30 per week; one-time cleanups start at $25.
Yard Rangers
965 S. McKinley Ave., Fort Lupton, 303-918-0069,
yardrangerspoopscoopservice.com
Fee: $8-$24 per week
