The Pet Waste Management Handbook by DoodyCalls
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Transcript of The Pet Waste Management Handbook by DoodyCalls
Copyright©2014byDoodyCalls V.11/2/2014 Page:1
DoodyCallsEducationalResources
TheCommunityPetWasteManagementCollection
PartOne: ThePetWasteManagementHandbook
Thedefinitiveguidetocommunitypetwastemanagement.Thishandbookwillteachyouhowtodesignandimplementacomprehensivepetwastemanagementplan.
PartTwo:
TheRealScoopSeries Acollectionofeducationalarticlesdesignedtoeducateresidentsabouttheimportanceofkeepingpetwasteofftheground.Thesearticlesareperfectforpublishingincommunitynewsletters,newresident
packets,communitymessageboards,andmore. ReceivegreatnewcontentfromTheRealScoopSerieseverymonthbyemail‐allforfree,courtesyof
DoodyCalls.Tosignup,pleasevisithttp://www.doodycallsED.com.
Copyright©2014byDoodyCalls V.11/2/2014 Page:2
TheCommunityPetWasteManagementHandbookbyDoodyCalls
ContentsOverview...................................................................................................................................................... 4
ThePetWasteProblem ............................................................................................................................... 4
PetWasteManagementOptions ................................................................................................................ 6
DoNothing............................................................................................................................................... 7
InstallPetWasteorDispenserStations ................................................................................................... 7
ScheduleCommonAreaCleanings .......................................................................................................... 7
EducateResidents.................................................................................................................................... 7
Outsource ................................................................................................................................................ 8
ImplementationStrategy............................................................................................................................. 8
Volunteers ............................................................................................................................................... 8
GroundCrewsandLandscapers .............................................................................................................. 8
PetWasteManagementCompanies ....................................................................................................... 9
PetWasteStationGuide............................................................................................................................ 10
WasteReceptacles................................................................................................................................. 10
PetWasteBagTypesandDispensers .................................................................................................... 11
PetWasteBagMaterial ......................................................................................................................... 12
Locations................................................................................................................................................ 12
ServiceandMaintenance ...................................................................................................................... 13
ServiceFrequency.............................................................................................................................. 13
KeepTrashOut .................................................................................................................................. 13
UseHeavyDutyLiners ....................................................................................................................... 13
KeepBagDispensersFullyStocked.................................................................................................... 14
CanLids .............................................................................................................................................. 14
RegularMaintenanceChecks............................................................................................................. 14
WhoWillServicethePetWasteStations? ............................................................................................ 14
WorkingwithAPetWasteManagementService.................................................................................. 14
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DogParks ................................................................................................................................................... 16
TenTipsForPlanningAndBuildingADogParkinYourCommunity ..................................................... 16
AlternativePetWasteManagementMethods.......................................................................................... 18
DogPoopDNAAnalysis ......................................................................................................................... 18
DogWasteComposting ......................................................................................................................... 19
InGroundPetWasteDigesters.............................................................................................................. 19
TheRealScoopSeries ................................................................................................................................ 21
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OverviewThefollowingCommunityPetWasteManagementHandbookisbroughttoyoubyyourfriendsatDoodyCalls.Basedonoveradecadeofexperiencehelpingcommunitiesnationwidekeeptheirgrounds
clearofpetwaste,thishandbookisdesignedtoserveasyourdefinitiveguidetocommunitypetwastemanagement.
DoodyCallsisthenation'sleadingprofessionalpetwastemanagementserviceforhomeownersandcommunities,includinghomeownerassociations,multifamilycommunities,neighborhoodassociations,
localgovernmentsandmunicipalities.Wespecializeinyardandcommonareacleanings;petwastestationsales,installationandservice;andcommunitypetwasteeducation.
Ifyouhavequestionsaboutcreatingacomprehensivepetwastemanagementplanforyourcommunityorneedhelpevaluatingpetwasteissues,feelfreetocontactus.InareaswhereDoodyCallsprovides
service,wewillhappilycomeoutandcreateapetwastemanagementproposalforyourcommunityorcometoacommunitymeetingtomakeabriefpresentationonstrategiesforkeepingyourcommunityclean,freeofcharge.
Torequestmoreinformationvisitwww.DoodyCalls.comorcallourteamofspecialistsat1‐800‐
DoodyCalls(366‐3922).
Toreceivegreatneweducationalarticlesdesignedtoeducateresidentsabouttheimportanceofkeepingpetwasteofftheground,visit:http://www.doodycallsED.comandsignupforTheRealScoopSeries.Everymonthwewillsendyounewarticlesthatareperfectforpublishingincommunity
newsletters,newresidentpackets,communitymessageboards,andmore.
TobrowseorpurchaseDoodyCallspetwastemanagementequipmentandsuppliesdirectly,youcanfinditemsweuseeverydayacrosscommunitiesnationwideonouronlinestore:www.DoodyCallsDirect.com.
ThePetWasteProblemPetownershipisontheriseintheUnitedStatesandasAmericans,weloveourdogs.ButdespiteourundyingaffectionforFido,westilldon'tenjoydealingwiththewasteheleavesbehind.
Byrecentfigures,therearenowupwardsof84milliondogstakingupresidenceintheUStodayandannualizedcollectivespendingonourfurrylovedoneseclipsed$55billionin2013alone.
AccordingtotheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,theaveragedogdiscardsapproximatelythreequartersofapoundofwasteperday.Overthecourseofoneyear,itaddsupto275poundsperdog,mostofwhichendsupinthebackyard.
WhenyoutaketheentireUSdogpopulationintoaccount,thenumbersarejawdropping.Onaverage,the84milliondogscurrentlylivinginourcountrycollectivelydepositapproximately62.7millionlbsof
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wasteeverydayand22.9trilliontonsofwasteeveryyear.Thatistheequivalentof286,344tractor‐trailersfullyloadedwithdogdoo.Ifthose18‐wheelerswerelinedupbumpertobumper,thecaravanwouldstretch4,067miles.Putanotherway,itwouldstretchfromNewYorkCitytoLosAngeles,withenoughtrucksleftovertocirclebackaroundandcoverthedistancefromLAtoAustin,TX.That’salotofwaste!
Ifyourcommunityallowspets,thenchancesareyouhavepetwasteissues.Inourexperience,thosechancesareabout100percent.Asunpleasantandtimeconsumingasmanagingthiswastemaybe,keepingitoffthegroundisanimportantresponsibilityheldbythecommunitymanager.Here’swhy:
Petwastecreatesconflict.
Petwasteisoneofthesinglemosttalkedaboutproblemsinhomeownerassociationandcommunitymanagerboardmeetingsacrossthecountry.Ifnotaddressed,thepresenceofunattendeddogwasteinacommunitycanquicklybecomeamajorpointofconflictamongstneighborsaswellasahealthconcernfortheentirecommunity.
Dogpoopisanenvironmentalpollutant.
In1991,dogwastewaslabeledanon‐pointsourcepollutantbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,placingitinthesamecategoryasherbicidesandinsecticides;oil,greaseandtoxicchemicals;andaciddrainagefromabandonedmines.AccordingtoEPAestimates,twoorthreedaysworthofdroppingsfromapopulationofabout100dogscancontributeenoughbacteriatotemporarilycloseabayandallwatershedareaswithin20milestoswimmingandshellfishing.
Keepingpetwasteoffthegroundisnotonlytherightthingtodoforresidents;itisalsoanimportantactiontotakeforprotectingthelocalenvironmentandcommunityatlarge.
Dogwasteharborsharmfulbacteria.
Unattendeddogwasteismorethanjustagrossandunsightlymess.Whilemanyofusdon'trealizeit,doggiedepositsoftencarryparasitesandbacteriathatcanbetransmitteddirectlytohumansuponcontactandmakeussick.
Itdoesn'tjustdisappear.
Bacteria,wormsandotherparasitesthriveinunattendedwaste,eventuallybreakingdownintothesoilandwashingintothewatersupply.Roundworm,forexample,isoneofthemostcommonparasitesfoundindogdroppingsanditcanremaininfectiousincontaminatedsoilandwaterforyears.
Howprevalentisroundworm?ArecentCDCstudyfound14percentofAmericanstestedpositiveforthem.(That’s43millionpeople!)
Childrenareatrisk.
Childrenatplaydon'toftenwashtheirhandsandmostdonotrealizethepotentialhazardsofcomingintocontactwithwastethathasbeenleftontheground.Infact,aspetwastebreaksdownitisoftenunrecognizabletotheuntrainedeye.Thebacteriaandparasitesfoundindogdroppingsaremostcommonlypassedontohumansbytouch.
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Dogpoopcanattractrodents.
Unattendeddogwastecanbeacommonfoodsourceforratsandotherrodentsindevelopedareas.Anunwantedneighborinanycommunity,thepresenceofrodentscandecreasethepropertyvaluesofallnearbyhomesandpresentsahostofadditionalhealthconcernstoresidentsthemselves.
Petwasteisfarfromfertilizer.
Unlikeherbivores,adog’sdietismadeupofmostlyanimalproducts,makingtheirwasteunsuitableforsoilenrichment.Leavingpetwasteonthegroundorconcentratingitinonespecificareaoftheyardcanseriouslyharmsoilquality.
Itmakescommunityareaslessenjoyable.
Communityareasexistforthepurposeofgivingresidentsaclean,safeandenjoyableplacetocongregate,socializeandplaywiththeirfamily,friendsandneighbors.However,whentheseareasbecomelitteredwithdogwaste,theyquicklybecomeunusabletotherestofthecommunity,renderingthemunsuitablefortheirintendedpurpose.
Whencommunitiesadvertisethemselvesas“petfriendly”tohelpattractresidentsorhomeowners,butthendonothaveproperamenitiesforpetowningresidents,suchaspetwastestationsalongcommunitysidewalksandpaths,thecommunityisnotlivinguptoitspromise.Thisdoesn’tmeanthecommunityneedstobuildadedicatedswimmingpoolforthedogs,butitdoesattheveryleastmeanthatbasicpetwastemanagementpracticesshouldbeinplacetoprotectresidents’health,propertyvaluesandtheenvironment.
Thishandbookhelpsyou–thecommunitymanager–topreventtheseproblemsbyhelpingyoumanagepetwaste.
Whyarewetellingyou?Becausewearetheexperts.
Withmorethanadecadeofexperiencehelpingcommunities,homeownerassociations,apartmentcomplexes,localgovernmentsandmunicipalitiessuccessfullymanagepetwaste,DoodyCallsisthedefinitivesubjectmatterexpertonallthingsrelatedtothetopic.OurexpertisehasbeenfeaturedinTheWallStreetJournal,USAToday,TheNewYorkTimes,BloombergBusinessweek,aswellashundredsofotherinfluentialpublications.Inaddition,weregularlywriteeducationalarticlesforuseinhomeownerandneighborhoodassociationnewsletters.
ToreceivegreatneweducationalarticlesfromTheRealScoopSerieseverymonthbyemail,allforfree,courtesyofDoodyCalls,visit:http://www.doodycallsED.com.
Tolearnabouthowtosuccessfullymanagepetwasteinyourcommunity,readon.Thisdocumentcoversthevastrepertoireofknowledgewehavescoopedupovertheyears.
PetWasteManagementOptions
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Unattendeddoggiedepositsaremorethanjustagrossandunsightlymess‐theyareanenvironmentalpollutantandahumanhealthhazard.Anycommunitythatallowspetshasanobligationtopromoteresponsiblepetownershipandassistresidentsinkeepingthewasteofftheground.
Thereareanumberofsolutionsformanagingpetwasteinacommunity.Basedonourexperienceworkingwithcommunitiesoverthepasttwelveyears,herearethemostcommonapproaches:
DoNothingOnewaytodealwithpetwasteinyourcommunityistoleavetheresponsibilityentirelyinthehandsofyourpet‐owningresidents.Followingthismethod,thehopeisthateverypersonowningadogwillalwayspickupwherehisorherpet"dropsoff."
Unfortunately,thisapproachrarelyworksinpractice.Infact,ifyouarereadingthisarticle,thenchancesarethelaissez‐faireapproachtomanagingpetwasteisnotworkinginyourcommunity.
InstallPetWasteorDispenserStationsPetwastestationsareagreatfirststeptowardsmanagingpetwasteinyourcommunity.Installingandmaintainingstationsencouragesresidentpetownerstopickupaftertheirpetandproperlydisposeofthewaste,anditalsocommunicatestonon‐petowningresidentsthatyoucareaboutkeepingpetwasteissuesundercontrol.Inaddition,petwastestationscreateasenseofsocialpressurethathelpsimprovecompliance.
CommunityBoardshavearesponsibilitytoprovidetheirresidentswiththeresourcesnecessarytofollowtherules,especiallywhenitcomestopetwastepickup.StationsareagreatwayforBoardstodecreasepetwasteproblemswhilehelpingresidentsmeetthecommunity’sstandards.Werecommendthatanycommunityallowingpetshavepetwastestationslocatedthroughouttheircommunity,asneeded.
ScheduleCommonAreaCleaningsWhenyousupplementtheintroductionofpetwastestationsintothecommunitywithregularcommonareacleanings,youendupwellonyourwaytodevelopingacomprehensivepetwastemanagement
plan.
Inessence,commonareacleaningsinvolvesomeonewalkingtheentiregroundsofthecommunityandscoopingupwasteandotherlitter.Itisrecommendedthatcommunitiesperformfull‐fledgedcommonareacleaningsatleasttwiceayear.Springandautumnareidealtimestoschedulethesecleaningsand
additionalsweepsmaybeneeded,dependingonvolume.
EducateResidentsAnotherimportantelementofthepetwastemanagementpuzzleiseducationandawareness.Whenresidentsunderstandtheimportanceofpickingupaftertheirpetsandtheyseethecommunitysupportingpetwastepickup,theybecomefarmorelikelytoparticipateandsupportthecause.
Forexample:Manycommunitieswithcomprehensivepetwastemanagementplansperiodicallypublishacommunitymapoutliningthelocationofpetwastestationssothatresidentsareremindedoftheirpresenceandcanplantheirwalksaccordingly.
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OutsourceAnotherapproachtomanagingpetwasteistooutsourcethetaskaltogetherbybringinginanexperttodevelopandimplementacomprehensiveplan.Inrecentyears,thishasbecomeagrowingtrend
amongstcommunitiesthatallowpets.
ImplementationStrategyCommunitieshaveafewoptionstochoosefromwhenitcomestoselectingthebestpersonorbusinesstomanageandimplementacomprehensivepetwastemanagementplan.Althoughthebestsolutionwillultimatelydependonyourcommunity'sspecificneedsandbudget,itisimportanttounderstandthatmanagingpetwasteisanunpleasantandtimeconsumingchore,andunlesssomeonecommittedtodoingthejobisspecificallyputincharge,itwillprobablyfallshortineffort,attentionandfollowthrough,eventuallyfadingaway.
VolunteersWhengettingstartedwithpetwastemanagement,manycommunitieswillopttoassembleateamofvolunteersfromwithinthecommunitywhoarewillingtostepuptothetask.
Ifyourcommunityplanstorelyonresidentvolunteers,besuretheyarefullypreparedtodothejob.Volunteersshouldhavethenecessaryscoopingtools,petwastestationkeys,replacementlitterbagsandalloftheothernecessaryequipmentforgettingthejobdone.Agoodpairofgloveswillalsocomeinhandy.
Inaddition,volunteersmustbecommittedtowalkingtheentirecommunityonaregularscheduletoidentifyproblemareasthatneedmorefrequentcleaning.Theywillalsoneedtoassesswherestationsshouldbelocatedandwhichstationstyleorcombinationshouldbeutilized.Oncestationsareinstalled,theywillneedtoservicethestationsonaregularbasis,makingsureaccumulatedwasteisdisposedofandfreshbagsarefullystocked.
Whileagroupofvolunteersfromthecommunityisaconvenientsolution,inourexperiencethevolunteersarefrequentlyimproperlyequippedand/ortoobusytohandletheresponsibilityandburnoutonthechorequickly.
IMPORTANT:Petwastestationwastereceptaclescanaccumulatewaterwhenitrains.Thismeansvolunteersneedtobemindfulwhentransportingwastebinlinersfromthestationtothedisposalarea.Ifavolunteerplacesonesuchbaginsidehisorhervehicle,itwilllikelyleakaverysmelly“poopsoup.”VolunteersshouldNEVERplacebagsofwastefrompetwastestationsanywhereintheircars!Itisalsoimportanttounderstandandcomplywithanylocalregulationsassociatedwiththecollectionand/ordisposalofpetwaste.
GroundCrewsandLandscapers
Anothercommonapproachcommunitiestakeistoemploythegroundskeepersorlandscaping
contractorstohandlepetwaste.However,landscapersarenotsingularlyfocusedondogwasteastheircorebusiness.Forthem,pickingupthewasteandservicingpetwastestationsisasecondary
responsibilitythatmayresultinsecondaryservicelevels.
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Inourexperience,landscapersandgroundskeepersarenotequippedtogivepresentationsorprovidematerialstoassistwithresidentpetwasteeducation.Inaddition,theygenerallydonothavespecialized
knowledgeaboutpetwastestationselectionandplacement,nordotheytypicallyproactivelymonitorandadjustpetwasteplanstomeetthechangingneedsofacommunityovertime.Manylandscapersandgroundskeepersarealsocommonlyunawareofpertinentrulesandregulationsrelatingtowaste
collectionanddisposal,whichmayleaveacommunityatrisk.
Finally,thesecrewsgenerallydonotorder,stockandmanageinventoryofpetwastestationsupplies,
suchaswastebags.Rotationofbagstockisparticularlyimportantbecausecertaintypesofbagsarespecificallydesignedtobreakdownovertime.Ifstationdispensersarereplenishedwithnewlystockedbagsandolderinventoryisnotproperlyrotated,yourinventorywilleventuallybreakdownandbecome
unusable.
Disclaimer:Wedonotmakeanyclaimsregardingourbagsintermsof"biodegradable"or"degradable"
or"decompostable"orinanywayimplythatthebagswillbreakdowninalandfilltoanycustomerintheUnitedStates.
PetWasteManagementCompaniesWebelievethemosteffectiveandreliablesolutionformanagingpetwasteinyourcommunityistoworkwithaprofessionalpetwastemanagementservice.Thesespecialistsbringtheirtools,experienceandknow‐howintoyourcommunitytoeliminateissuesrelatedtodogwasteandtomakeyour
residentshappy.
ServiceslikeDoodyCallscanassistyouincreatingacomprehensivepetwastemanagementplanthatistailoredtomeetthespecificneedsandbudgetofyourcommunity.Themosteffectiveplansincludethe
introductionandregularservicingofpetwastestations,regularcommonareacleanings,residentpetwasteeducationandregularstationmonitoringtoadjustservicefrequencyascommunityneedsfluctuateovertime.
Whenselectingapetwastemanagementservice,itisimportanttolookforaprofessionalcompanywith
friendlytechnicians,cleanvehiclesandequipment,strongcustomerserviceandasatisfactionguarantee.Professionalcompanieswillalsobeproperlybondedandinsured,willperformbackgroundchecksontheiremployees,disinfecttheirtoolsbetweenjobs,andwillbeactivelyinvolvedinthelocal
community.Forcommunitiesinneedofpetwastemanagementequipment,suchaspetwastestationsandsupplies,workingwithacompanythathasestablishedrelationshipswithleadingsupplierscansaveyourcommunitytimeandmoney.Finally,customerserviceorientedcompanieswillalsobewillingto
modifyservicefrequencytoaccommodatethechangingneedsofacommunity,aswellasperformrepairsandbasicservicemaintenanceonstations.
Tohelpyouwiththeselectionprocess,herearesomekeyquestionstoaskpetwastemanagementservicesbiddingonacontractwithyourcommunity:
● Howlonghasyourcompanybeeninbusiness?
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● Howmanycommunitiesdoyoucurrentlyservice?● Howmanypetwastetechnicians(scoopers)doyouhaveonstaff?● Howmanytrucksareinyourfleet?● Areyourtechniciansemployeesofyourcompanyoraretheyindependentcontractors?● Dothetechnicianswearuniformsanddrivemarkedvehicles?● Whatdoesyourcompanydowiththecollectedwaste?Willitbeplacedinourcommunity’s
dumpstersorwillitbedisposedofoff‐site?● Ifthewasteistakenoff‐site,howdoesyourcompanythendisposeofit?● Whatisyourpolicyonserviceissues?Howandwhodowecontactinsuchanevent?● Whatisyournormalturn‐aroundtimeforadditionalserviceneedsorcorrectiveactionfor
service‐relatedissues?● What,ifany,isyourprocessformonitoringserviceneedsandfrequency?● Canordoyouprovidestatusreportsonequipmentandvolume,andwhatdothereportsconsist
of?
PetWasteStationGuideYoumightbesurprisedtolearnjusthowmanydifferentoptionsyouhavewhenchoosingpetwastestationsforyourcommunity‐afterall,it’sjustdogpoop,right?Notsofast.
DoodyCallsservicesthousandsofstationseveryday.Tohelpyoumakeaninformedbuyingdecisionthatfitsyourcommunity'sbudgetandneeds,thefollowingisaguidetohelpyouunderstandthevariouscomponentsofthisequipmentandhowitallworks.
Tostart,petwastestationshavefourmainparts:
Wastereceptacle.Wherethewastegoes.Thispartofthedogwastestationholdsalargeplasticliner,whichholdsthedogwasteresidentsdropoff.
Stationpost.Thebackboneofapetwastestation.Everypartofthestationissecuredtothispost.
Litterbagdispenser.Holdsfreshdogpoopbags(or"litterbags").Thesebagsarewhatthepetownerwillusetopickupaftertheirdog.Mostdispensersaremadetoholdoneoftwotypesofbags:"Single‐pullstylebags"or"Roll‐stylebags"
Stationsign.Aremindersignlocatedatopyourstation,encouragingownerstotakeabagandpickupaftertheirpets.
Ofthesestationcomponents,thewastereceptacleandbagdispenserarewhereyouhavethemostoptions.Whenselectingapetwastestation,keepthefollowinginmind:
WasteReceptaclesConstructionmaterial:Petwastereceptaclesaremostcommonlymadeoutoflightweightmetalorplastic.Overtime,lightweightmetalcontainerswillrust,requiringmorefrequentreplacementthanheavier‐dutymetalmodels.Plasticreceptacleswillnotrust,buttheyaresignificantlylessdurablethantheirmetalcounterpartsandtendtofadeincolormorequicklyandnoticeably.Toreducerust,somemodelsareconstructedwithrust‐resistantaluminumwithpowdercoatpaint,affordingthebestmaterialsforlongevityandaesthetics.
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Overthelongrun,plasticorlightweightmetal‐typicallysteel‐receptacleswillgenerallybetwiceasexpensiveasmakinganupfrontinvestmentinheavy‐dutyaluminummodels,duetorusting,cracking,andwearandtear.ThisiswhyallofthestationswerecommendandmakeavailableonDoodyCallsDirectareconstructedwithheavy‐dutyaluminum.
Watertightness:Petwastestationsshouldalwayshaveatightcovertokeepthedogwasteinandthewaterout.Werefertothemessthatiscreatedwhenwatermixeswiththecontentsofadogwastereceptacleas“poopsoup.”Needlesstosay,itisnotpleasant.Emptyingastationthatisfilledwith“poopsoup”isdifficulttomanageandjustplaindisgusting.
Manyplasticstationshavelargeholesintheirsidesfordepositingusedwastebags.Othershaveloosefittinglids.Bothofthesedesignswillallowwatertoentertheplasticreceptacle.
Thebeststationshaveasmall,mailbox‐stylechutethatclosestightlyandisjustlargeenoughforwastebagstobedeposited.Thiskeepsthewateroutandthewastein.Forthisreason,werecommendtheheavydutywastereceptacle–itissimplythebestreceptacleonthemarket,effectivelykeepingwater,verminandinsectsout,whilekeepingodorsinandmakingthewastelinerchange‐outprocessamucheasierandmorepleasanttask.Inaddition,themailbox‐stylechutegreatlylimitsthetypesofitemsthatcanbeplacedinthebin,therebymakingitdifficulttodisposeofinappropriateitems,suchashouseholdtrash,inthedogwastereceptacle.
Aesthetics:Petwastestationscomeinmanydifferentshapes,sizesandcolors.Themostpopularstationstendtostandsixtosevenfeetintotalheight(includingthestationsign)andaretypicallycoloredgreen,brownorblack.Thegoalistohavepetwastestationsblendinwithitsbackground,whilestillremainingvisibleandconvenient
Therearealsoanumberofvariationswhenitcomestobagdispenserandwastereceptacledesign.Thesedifferencesaregenerallyamatteroftheequipment’sdurability.
Atthetopofthelineforpetwastestationsistheheavydutyvandal‐resistantmodel,whichisanidealsolutionforhigh‐densitycommunitieswherethestationwillbelocatednearhomes,parkinglots,orgatheringareas.However,ifastationistobeplacedoutsideofheavilytraffickedareas,suchasonawalkingtrailoracommonperimeter,amoresimpleandlessexpensivestationmightbemoresuitable.Forlarge,opencommonareasandtrails,amoreeconomicalmodelisagreatsolution.
Whenselectingstations,keepinmindthatyourcommunitydoesnotnecessarilyneedtocommittoonlyonestyle.Infact,manydon't.Forthemostpart,stationsarenotlocatedneareachother,whichmeansthatuniformitydoesnothaveaconsiderableimpact.Whatreallymattersisthatyourcommunityhaswell‐stocked,durablestationsthatarecompatible,fulfilltheneedsoflocations,areproperlyservicedandareingoodworkingorderforresidentstouse.
PetWasteBagTypesandDispensersTherearetwocommontypesoflitterbagsdispensedatpetwastestations:roll‐stylebagsandsingle‐pullstylebags.Asyoumayhaveguessed,roll‐stylebagscomeonalargeroll,justlikeintheproducesectionofthegrocerystore.Single‐pullbags,ontheotherhand,comestackedonacardforindividualdispensing,likeatissuebox–oneitemdispensingatatime.Assuch,therearealsotwocommontypesofbagdispensers,eachspecificallydesignedfortheirrespectivebagtype.
Communitiesonabudgetwilloftenselectroll‐stylebagsbydefault.Thesearethecheapestper‐bagsolution,butit'snotquitethatsimple.Perbagcostcanbequitedeceptive.
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Althoughsingle‐pullstylebagsareslightlymoreexpensiveonaper‐bagbasis,theirtruecostiscomparable‐oftencheaper‐whenyoutakestationusageintoconsideration.Thisisbecausewhenbagsareonaroll,dogownershaveahabitofpullingoutmanybagsatonce.Incontrast,single‐pullstylebagsarepulledoutofthedispenseroneatatimebecauseeachbagisindividuallysecuredtothecard.Intheend,andbasedonourexperience,single‐pullstylestationswillusefewerbagsovertimethanrollstyleonesalmosteverytime.Inadditiontosavingmoneyinthelongrun,residentsgenerallyprefersingle‐pullstylebagstothoseonaroll,astheyarelarger,easiertoopenandhaveaconvenienthandlerightonthebag.
Note:Wedonotrecommendrollbagsinareasthatmaybesusceptibletovandalism.It’sjusttooeasyforsomeonetograbonebagandpullthewholerollbehindthemastheyrun.
PetWasteBagMaterialAsanyonewithexperiencepickingupwastewithabaginhandknows,notallbagsarecreatedequal.
WithpetownershipontheriseintheUSandmoreandmorepetownerstakingresponsibilityfortheirpets'waste,themarketforpetwastebagsisbecomingfloodedwithcheap,lowqualityproducts.
Ifyoufindalessexpensivebag,lookatthetotalcaseweightofthebags.Lowerweightgenerallymeanslessplasticisusedtoproducethebag.
Inaddition,cheaper,lowerqualitybagstendtobeworsefortheenvironment.Withsomanypeopletodaymakinganefforttoreducetheircarbonfootprint,youshouldtakeabag'senvironmentalimpactintoconsideration.
DoodyCallsiscommittedtomakingtheworldabetterplacetolive.Becauseofourcommitmenttotheenvironment,weonlysellandusewastebagsthatarecomprisedofatleast50%recycledmaterials.
LocationsWhengettingstartedwithstationsinyourcommunity,selectingthemoreeffectivelocationisparamount.Petwastestationsshouldalwaysbeanchoredinthegroundwithconcrete,soyouwanttobestrategicinplacingthemcorrectlythefirsttime.Theultimategoalistomakeiteasyfordogwalkerstopickupabagatthebeginningoftheirwalkandeasyforthemtodisposeofitmid‐walkorattheend.
Startbyconsideringthedensityofhomesinthecommunityandareaswheredogownerstendtocongregate,playorwalk.Oncepotentialstationsitesareidentifiedonamap,thenextstepistoputfeetonthepavementandwalkthecommunitytoseeiftheproposedsitesmakesenseontheground.Atthispoint,youarelookingforareasthatareconvenientfordogownerswhilehavingalowimpactonadjacenthomeownersoramenityusers.Forinstance,theremaybeasitethatisabsolutelyperfectfordogowners,buthappenstobenexttoacommunityplaygroundorinahomeowner'simmediatelineofsightfromtheirfrontdoor,baywindoworbackyarddeck.Inthesecases,placingastationinoneoftheseareasmaywellleadtoconflict.
Inourexperience,manysuburbancommunitiesaredesignedasaloop.Naturally,dogownersinthesecommunitieswillfollowthecircularpathwhenwalkingtheirpet.Assuch,youshouldlooktoplacestationsatthebeginningandtheendofcommunityloop,aswellasatconvenientintervalsthroughout.Theideaistomakesurethereisalwaysaplacetopickupfreshbagsanddropoffsoiledoneswithinafewminuteswalkingtime.Ifstationsarefewandfarbetween,petownerswillbelesslikelytogotheextramiletousetheprovidedequipment,insteadleavingthewasteontheground.Convenienceiskey.
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Finally,itisbesttoplacestationsalongsidewalksandonbothsidesofthestreet.Stationsshouldbepositionedfarenoughoffthesidewalktoallowfoottraffictocontinuemovingwhiledogwalkersstoptodepositbagsofwaste.Remember–noteveryoneiscomfortableinteractingwithdogs;placingstationsslightlyoffsetfromthesidewalkhelpstominimizeanysuchunwantedinteraction.Finally,consideraddingstepping‐stonestopreventgrassfromwearingdownandmuddyshoesduringinclementweather.Thisadditioncangreatlyimprovethefunctionalityandaestheticsaswell.
ServiceandMaintenanceMaintainingaregularpetwastestationservicescheduleiscriticaltoensuringthesuccessofyourcommunity'scomprehensivepetwastemanagementplan.Thisinvolvesemptyingthewastebin,restockingthebagsandperformingpreventativemaintenanceonaregularbasis,dependingonthecommunity'sbudgetandspecificneeds.Herearesometipsandguidelinestoensureyourpetwastestationsremainwell‐utilizedassetsinyourcommunity,allyear‐round:
ServiceFrequencyServiceyourpetwastestationsregularly.Formostcommunities,thismeansweeklyvisitsandsometimeseventwice‐weeklyservicing.Thekeyistocontinuouslymonitorthevolumeofwastedepositedandbagsdistributed.Optimalservicefrequencyoccurswhenwastereceptaclesarenearlyfullandbagdispensersuppliesnearlydepleted.Replenishingattheselevelsindicatesmaximumefficiencyandeffectivenessforstationuseandexpense.
Theleadingfactordictatingservicefrequencyistheweather.Ingeneral,servicefrequenciestendtofluctuatealongwiththeseasons,withlatespring,summerandearlyautumnbeingthemostactiveperiodsforstationuse.
Itisalsoimportanttonotethatnotallstationusagewillbethesame.Stationslocatedinlow‐trafficareasmayonlyrequireservicingonamonthlyortwice‐monthlybasis,whereasthoseinbusyareasmayneedreplenishingonamorefrequentbasis.
Agoodpetwastemanagementserviceshouldalwayshaveavolumemonitoringprocessinplaceandshouldbeabletoadjustserviceasnecessary,dependingonthetimeofyearand/orlocationofstationsthroughoutthecommunity.
KeepTrashOutTrytoensurethatpetwastestationsareusedstrictlyfortheirintendedpurpose‐holdingpetwaste,andonlypetwaste.Residentswilloftentrytousestationsastrashcans.Youwanttopreventthisbecausetrashitemsareoftenbulkyandfillupwastereceptaclesveryquickly.Whenwastebinsfillupbeforetheyhaveachancetobeserviced,residentsmayleavepoopbagstothesideorsetthemontopofthestation.Thisofcoursedefeatsthepurposeofyourstationandcreatesasmellyandunsightlymess.Asimplewaytopreventthisfromhappeningistoprovideanampleamountoftrashcansandpetwastestationsthroughoutthecommunity.
UseHeavyDutyLinersLinepetwastereceptaclesorbinswithaheavy‐dutylinerorgarbagebag.Avoidcheapplasticliners,asthesewillteareasilyorleakwhenpullingtheheavywastefromthestations.(Remember‐theaveragedogdeposits¾lbwasteperday,whichaddsupquickly.)Weofferastrongstationbinandwastereceptaclelinerthatwefindworksverywell.Trustus–youdonotwantthisbagtearingoryouwillhaveabig,smelly,messtocleanup!
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KeepBagDispensersFullyStockedApetwastestationcannotdoitsjobwithoutlitterbags,somakesurebagdispensersarefullystockedatalltimes.Whenresidentsbecomeaccustomedtousingstations,theyarenotlikelytobringtheirownbagsontheoffchancethestationisout.Ifastationisconsistentlywithoutofbags,residentswillbecomefrustratedandstopusingitaltogether.Neitherofthesesituationshelpstocurbpetwasteinyourcommunity.
CanLidsBesureallofyourstationshavefittinglids.Alidisasimple,yetextraordinarilyimportantcomponentthatshouldkeepwater,insectsandanimalsoutofyourstation,whilekeepingthewasteanditsodorssafelyinside.
RegularMaintenanceChecksEvenifyouareemptyingthewastebinsandkeepingthebagdispensersfullystocked,youshouldalsohaveamaintenancescheduleandregularlyspotcheckstationstomakesureallareingoodworkingorderandhavenotdevelopedanysafetyhazards.DoodyCallsmaintenanceofpetwastestationsincludestighteningbolts,checkingbagdispensersforsupplylevelsandproperdispensing,andlubricatingalllocksonthepetwastestations.DoodyCallswillalsohosedownanddeodorizethepetwastebinsasanadditionalservice.
WhoWillServicethePetWasteStations?Unlesssomeoneisspecificallyputinchargeofservicingthepetwastestations,thejobprobablywon’tgetdone.Thesolutionwillultimatelydependonyourcommunity'sneedsandbudget,aswellasthenumberofpetwastestationsandthenumberofvolunteersyoucanrounduptosharethejob.Ifyouarerelyingoncommunityvolunteers,besuretheyarefullypreparedtodothejob.Makesuretheyhavethepetwastestationkeys,replacementlitterbagsforeachstation,allthetoolstheywillneed,agoodpairofgloves,anappropriatevehicleforwastetransportandanapproved(codecompliance)placetodisposeofthepotentiallyverylargequantitiesofpetwaste.
Inmostcases,volunteersarenotequippedtoservicepetwastestationsonaregularbasisandburnoutonthechorequickly.Amorereliableoptionistohireaprofessionaltoserviceyourpetwastestations.Thisisagreatoptionforcommunitiesbecauseyourpetwastestationsareputonaregularservicescheduleandyouwillknowtheexactdayyourpetwastestationsreceiveservice.Thereisnoneedtofindadumpsterinthecommunitytodisposeofthelargebagsofwastefromthepetwastestationreceptaclesbecauseyourserviceprovidershouldtakeallwasteawayfromthecommunityanddisposeofitforyou.
Frequencyofservicedependsonyourcommunity’sbudgetandspecificneeds.Inourexperience,mostwantandneedservicecompletedonaweeklybasis.
WorkingwithAPetWasteManagementServiceAsdogownershipintheUSgrows,sodoestheneedforprofessionalpetwastemanagementservices.Forcommunities,thesepetwastespecialistsdofarmorethansimplypickupthewaste‐theydevelopandimplementcomprehensivewastemanagementplansthatworktocurbtheproblemaltogetherbyprovidingresidentswiththemeansandmotivationtokeeptheircommunityclean.
Hereiswhatyoushouldalwaysgetwhenworkingwithpetwasteprofessionals:
Petwastestations
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Introducingpetwastestationsinacommunityisthemosteffectivewaytocurbpetwasteproblems.Comprisedofabagdispenser,wastebinandsign,thesestationshelppetownerstodotherightthingandalsocommunicateyourpositiononpetwastetopetownersandnon‐petowningresidentsalike.(Dispenser‐onlystationscanbeaviablealternativetofullstationsinareaswherecompletestationsmaypresentconflict.)
Thebestpetwastemanagementservicessell,install,service,maintainandrepairpetwastestations.Theywillrecommendtheappropriatestyleofstationstoinstallbylocationandthefrequencyofservicethatwillmeetthecommunity’sneeds.Theyshouldalsobeabletosupplyyouwiththeestimatedbagusageforyourcommunityandbeabletoexplainthethoughtprocessbehindthelocationandstyleofpetwastestations.
Commonareacleanings
Whilepetwastestationsgoalongwaystowardscurbingcommunitypetwasteissues,therewillstillberesidentswhofailtodotherightthingbypickingupaftertheirdog.Stayingaheadoftheaccumulationisthegoalherebecauseoncetheamountofunattendeddogwastereachesacertainlevel,youwillbebeginfieldingcomplaintcalls.Withthisinmind,occasionalfull‐fledgedcommonareacleaningsarestillrecommended.
Aminimumtwice‐yearlysweepisrecommended.Manycommunitiesoptforamonthlyoreveryothermonthbasis.Techniciansfromyourpetwasteserviceshouldwalkthefullopencommonareas,pickingupallunattendedpetwaste,aswellasloosesmalltrash.
Deodorizerservices
Itdoesn'ttakeowningadogtoknowthattheirwasteleavesbehindafoulandpotentstench.That'swhymanycommunitiesandhomeownershavetheirpetwasteremovalteamprovidedeodorizerservices,especiallyaroundpetwastestationslocatedindenselypopulatedareas.
Inessence,thisinvolvesapplyinganenzymedeodorizerwithahoseandsprayertohelpneutralizeurineandpetwasteodor.Duringthisprocess,agoodpetwastemanagementservicewillalsoprovideaservicetothoroughlycleanthestationforyou,leavingthestationscrubbedcleanandsmellingfreshforyourresidents.
Geeseandotherwildanimals
Forsomecommunities,eliminatingpetwasteisonlyhalfoftheproblem.Manypetwastemanagementcompaniesalsoprovideservicestopickupaftergeese,deerandotherwildanimalsthatlittercommunitygroundswithdroppings.
Ifyouhaveeverwalkedthroughanareawheregeesecongregate,youknowhowquicklythesebirdscanrenderaniceopenspaceanutterdisasterthatisuselessfortheenjoymentofresidents.
Residenteducation
Whenresidentsunderstandtheimportanceofpickingupaftertheirpetsandseetheircommunityactivelysupportingpetwastepickup,theybecomefarmorelikelytopitchinandsupportthecauseofprotectingpropertyvaluesandahealthy,safeenvironmentforall.Companiesthatareexpertsinpetwastemanagementwillbeabletoprovideyouwithmaterialsdesignedtohelpeducateresidentsabouttheimportanceofpickingupafterpets.
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DoodyCallshascreatedTheRealScoopSeries,acollectionofarticlesthatareperfectforpublishingincommunitynewsletters,newresidentpackets,communitymessageboards,andmore.Tostartreceivingthesearticles,signupforfreeathttp://www.doodycallsED.com.
DogParksDogparksaresafeandcleanareaswhereresidentscanallowtheirdogstorunandplayoff‐leash.Dogparksencouragedogsandtheirownerstoplayindesignatedarea.Dogparkshelptoreducepetwasteissuesinacommunitybycentralizingdoggiedepositsinonedesignatedarea,whichisawinforeveryone.
TenTipsForPlanningAndBuildingADogParkinYourCommunity1)Location,location,location
Locationisthefirstandmostimportantconsiderationtotakeintoaccountwhenplanningadogpark.Ideally,youwanttoidentifyanareasituatedofftothesideandpreferablytowardsthebackofthecommunity.Likewise,theproposedparkshouldbeeasilyaccessibletoallresidents.Keepinmindalsothatdogparksdonotnecessarilyhavetobelocatedonperfectlyflatareas.Isthereapieceoflandinyourcommunitythatisnotsuitableforotherusesduetoaslopeorroughterrain?Considerutilizingthisareaforadogpark.Thiswillallowyoutomakemoreuseofavailablelandinthecommunity.
2)Fencingtheparkanddesigninganentrance
Everydogparkincludesatleasttwobasicstructures:fencingaroundtheperimeterandastagedentrancearea.Fencesshouldbefivefeetorhighertopreventadogfromjumpingoverit.Entrancesshouldserveasaneffectivebuffertoyourpark.Ifpossible,consideradoublegatesystem.Thisareawillgiveeveryonesomemuchappreciatedbreathingroomastheyenterandexitwiththeirpet.Italsoservesasanassimilationandintroductionarea,andalsohelpstokeepdogsfromescaping.
3)Gateplacement
Wheretoplacethedoublegateisalsoanimportantconsideration.Cornersofthedogparkarenotadvisable,asthisallowsnewdogsenteringtheparktoeasilybecorneredbytheotherdogsastheyrushtogreeteachother.Thiscancreateasituationleadingtodogfights.Alternatively,gatesplacedalongthesideofaparkgivedogsafull180degreestoenter.
4)Dogparksurface
Contrarytopopularbelief,grassshouldbeavoidedasasurfacefordogparks.Forstarters,theconstantrunningandrompingofdogswillteargrassesup,leavingonlyexposeddirt,whichthenbecomeasoupy,muddymesswhenitrains.Inaddition,dogurinecontainshighlevelsofnitrogen,whichdamagesthegrass,killingitevenfaster.
Saveyourselftheexpenseandmaintenanceheadaches‐selectanalternativesurface.Decomposedgranite,forinstance,isextremelydurable,requiresminimalupkeepandismoreenvironmentallyfriendly.Decomposedgraniteismadeupofverysmallpiecesofgraniteandcanrangeinsizefrom¼”inchtoasandyconsistency.Therearealsospeciallydesignedartificialturfsfordogparksavailableonthemarkettoday.Whiletheinitialcostishigher,thesurfacewillbemoreattractiveandmanageableforalongerperiodoftime.
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5)Smalldogsandlargedogs
Manydogparkshavetwoseparatesectionsofthepark.Onesideisforsmalldogs(usuallylessthan35pounds)andanotherforthebigboys.Theseareasarecompletelyseparateenclosuressothedogscannotmixatall.Itcanbeagoodideatoplanthedoublegatesothatitcanbeusedtoentereithersectionofthedogpark,savingyoumoneyonbuildingcosts.
6)Signage
Clearlydisplayandenforcetherulesforyourdogpark.Likeallparks,yourdogparkshouldhavesetrulesandregulations,aswellascontactinformationforauthoritiesandmanagementclearlypostedonapermanentsignontheentrygatetothepark.
7)Commondogparkrulesandregulations
● Thisparkisfortheuseofresidentsandtheirpetsonly● Ownersarelegallyresponsiblefortheirdogsandanyinjuriescausedbythem.● Puppiesanddogsmustbeproperlylicensed,inoculatedandhealthytousethepark.● AnimalsmustwearacollarandIDtagsatalltimes.● Ownersmustcleanupaftertheirdogs.● Dogsshowingaggressiontowardspeopleorotheranimalsmustberemovedfromthepark.● Animalsexhibitingahistoryofaggressivebehaviorwillnotbepermitted.● Puppiesusingtheparkmustbeatleastfourmonthsold.● Ownersmustnotleavetheirdogs’unattendedorallowedoutofsight.● Childrenundertheageof16arenotpermittedintheparkunlessactivelysupervisedbyaparent.● Dogsinheatarenotallowedinsidethepark.● Nofood,beverages,glass,sharpobjectsorweaponsarepermittedinsidethepark.● Ownersmustcarryaleashatalltimes.Dogsmustbeleashedbeforeenteringandpriortoleaving
thepark.● Violatorswillbesubjecttoremovalfromtheparkandsuspensionofparkprivileges.
8)Watersupply
Anavailablerunningwatersupplyfordogsintheparkisveryimportant.Avoidlargebucketsofstandingwater,astheycanspreaddiseasebetweendogsandcanbecomeaperfectbreedinggroundformosquitoesinthesummermonths.Ahigh‐lowwaterfountainisidealfordogparks–thehighbeingforpeopleandthelowforpets.
9)Parkseating
Havebenchesoravailableseating.Adogparkcanbeagreatplacetomeetfellowresidentsandsocialize,sotrytogroupseatingtogether.Alsokeepinmindtheseatingmaterial.Aluminumisagoodchoicebecauseitislessaffectedbyweatherandwillnotabsorbodorlikewoodwill
10)Controllingthepoopatthedogpark
Lotsofdogsmeanlotsofdogpoop.Thisissomethingyoucanabsolutelycountonwhenplanningadogpark.Tocurbpetwasteproblems,considerdevelopingacomprehensivepetwastemanagementplan,withaprofessionalpetwasteremovalservice.
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AlternativePetWasteManagementMethods
DogPoopDNAAnalysisAnewapproachtocurbingcommunitypetwaste,dogwasteDNAanalysishasreceivedamixedbagofreactionsfromcommunitymanagers,dogownersandthepublicsincemakingitsdebutin2011.Tobeeffective,theprogramrequiresacommunitythatisgovernedasasingleentity(ex:association)withby‐
laws,declarationsand/orcovenantsthatallowformandatedprogramstobeimplementedandenforced,withorwithoutvoluntaryparticipationfromresidents.
Thesystemgenerallyworksasfollows:Allnewandexistingdog‐owningresidentsarerequiredtosubmitamouthswabDNAsamplefromtheirpet.ADNAdatabaseisthencreatedandwhenunattendeddog
wasteisfoundoncommunitygrounds,thecommunitymanagercollectsasampleinaplasticvileandsendsittotheDNAtestingfacility.DNAfoundinthewasteisthencrosscheckedwithDNAdatabasetoidentifytheoffender.Onceamatchismade,thecommunityleviesanassessmentfeeagainstthe
offendingowner,typically$100forthefirstoffence.Inmanycommunitiesusingthissystem,repeatoffendersriskescalatingfinesandpossiblelossofpetownershipprivilegesinthecommunity.
Toproperlyintroducetheprogram,everydoginthecommunitymusthavetheirDNAcollectedandaddedtoaspecialdatabase.FeesaregenerallychargedforeachdogaddedtotheDNAdatabase,for
eachwastesamplecollectionkitandtoanalyzeeachfecalsample.
RequiringeverydogownertohavetheirdogsubmittoDNAtestingmaycreateanimosityorconflictbetweenresidentsandthecommunitymanagers.Inaddition,thelogisticsofsuchaprogramcanbechallenging:enrollment,collection,processing,documentation,notification,tracking,pursuitand
assessmentoffees.
Theultimategoalofeffectivecommunitypetwastemanagementistokeepresidentshappywhilekeepingdogwasteofftheground.DogpoopDNAtestingmaybeappropriateincertainapplications,suchasinapartmentbuildingswheredogsarerelievingthemselvesinhallwaysandelevators.Inmost
casesthough,webelievethemosteffectivepetwasteremovalprogramsfocusoneducationandpreventionratherthanpunitiveactions.
Aboveallelse,acommunityexiststoserveitsresidents,maketheirlivesbetterandtoprotectpropertyvalues.Topreventpetwasteissues,dogownersshouldbeeducatedonthepositiveimpactpickingup
aftertheirpetshasonthecommunityandamenitiessuchaspetwastestationsshouldbeprovidedtohelpthemdojustthat.Asaresult,thecommunityshouldadoptaproactivestrategythatencouragesresponsiblebehaviorandcommunicatestheirstanceonpetwasteinamorepositiveway.
Inourexperience,thebestlongtermsolutionstomanagingdogwasteareachievedwhena
community'smessagetoitsresidentsis:"Weareinthistogether.Weareheretohelp."
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DogWasteComposting
Anotheralternativemethodtopetwastepickupandremovaliscomposting.Followingthisapproach,allresidentpetownerscollecttheirdiscardedpetwasteintoonelargecompostheapinsteadofutilizingpetwastestationsandhavingdiscardedwastetakenawayanddisposedofoff‐site.
Beforepursuingsuchasystemforyourcommunity,itisimportanttounderstandthatpetwastepilesupmuchfasterthanitdecomposesandconcentratingthiswasteintoaspecificareacanseriouslydamage
nearbysoilandwaterquality.Inaddition,thispracticealsopresentsanumberofpotentialhumanhealthhazardstofamiliesandtheirpets.
Dogwasteisanenvironmentalpollutant.In1991,itwaslabeledanon‐pointsourcepollutantbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,placingitinthesamecategoryasherbicidesandinsecticides;oil,greaseandtoxicchemicals;andaciddrainagefromabandonedmines.Unlikeothercommonsourcesof
pollution,suchasrinsewaterfromdrivewaysandmotoroil,dogwastemaycarrybacteriaandparasitesthatcanbetransmitteddirectlytohumansandmakethemsick.Ringworm,roundworm,salmonellaandgiardiaarecommonexamples,allofwhicharefoundindogfecesandareeasilytransferableupon
contact.
Duetothewastemanagementissues,werecommendagainstmaintainingadogwastecompostpile,
especiallyifyoungchildrenhaveaccesstothecommunityandcouldpotentiallycomeintocontactwiththewaste.Thebestactioncommunitiescantakefortheirresidentsistomakesurepetwasteispickedupandproperlydisposedofinaccordancewithlocallawsandregulations.
InGroundPetWasteDigesters
Somehomeownersandcommunitieschoosetouseingroundpetwastedigesterstodisposeofthewaste.Wastedigestersgenerallyconsistofaholeinthegroundwithalidontop.Wasteisputintothe
holealongwithspecialenzymesandwater,andovertime,overtimethewasteissupposedtobreakdownanddrainintotheground.Providedbelowaresomethingstoconsiderbeforeusingapetwastedigester:
• Non‐biodegradablematerialwillnotbreakdowninthedigester.Youwillneedtoremovetrash
oranynon‐biodegradablematerialfoundinthewastefromthedigester.• Ifyouhavealargevolumeofwaste,yourdigesterwillrequireaverydeepholeandyoumay
needtore‐digtheholeeachyear.
• Wastewillnotdigestwhenthetemperaturefallsbelow40°F.• Heavyclaysoilsmaypreventthedigesterfromdrainingproperly.
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ThisCommunityPetWasteManagementHandbookwasbroughttoyoubyDoodyCalls.
Ifyouhavequestionsaboutcreatingacomprehensivepetwastemanagementplanforyourcommunityorneedhelpevaluatingpetwasteissues,feelfreetocontactus.InareaswhereDoodyCallsprovidesservice,wewillhappilycomeoutandcreateapetwastemanagementproposalforyourcommunityorcometoacommunitymeetingtomakeabriefpresentationonstrategiesforkeepingcommunitiesclean,freeofcharge.
DoodyCallsalsomakesavailableanextensivelibraryofeducational“drop‐inarticles”tohelpcommunitiesraiseawarenessamongstresidentsabouttheimportanceofpickingupaftertheirpets,keepingwasteoffthegroundandprotectingpropertyvalues.OnthefollowingpageisasampleexcerptfromTheRealScoopSeries.Youcansignuptoreceivethesegreatneweducationalarticleseverymonth,allforfree,courtesyofDoodyCalls,byvisitinghttp://doodycallsED.com.
Torequestmoreinformation,visitwww.DoodyCalls.comorcallourteamofspecialistsat1‐800‐DoodyCalls(366‐3922).
TobrowseorpurchaseDoodyCallspetwastemanagementequipmentandsuppliesdirectly,youcanfindeveryitemweuseeverydayacrosscommunitiesnationwideonouronlinestore:www.DoodyCallsDirect.com
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TheRealScoopSeries
Acollectionofeducationalarticlesdesignedtoeducateresidentsabouttheimportanceofkeepingpetwasteofftheground,broughttoyoubyyourfriendsatDoodyCalls.
Petwasteismorethanjustagrossandunsightlymess.Itisanenvironmentalpollutant,ahumanhealthhazardandamajorsourceofconflictwithincommunitiesnationwide.
Inanycommunity,akeycomponenttoeffectivelymanagingpetwasteistheabilitytoeducateresidentsaboutpetwasteproblemsandmotivatethemtobecomepartofthesolution.WehavecreatedTheRealScoopSeriestohelpyoudojustthat.
DoodyCallsisthenation'slargestpetwastemanagementserviceproviderforhomeownersandtheircommunities.Wespecializeinyardandcommonareacleanings;petwastestationsales,installationandservice;andcommunitypetwasteeducation.Foundedin20000,ourpetwastemanagementexpertisehasbeenfeaturedinTheWallStreetJournal,USAToday,TheNewYorkTimes,BloombergBusinessweek,aswellashundredsofotherpublications.
Astheexperts,wewouldliketotakethisopportunitytosharesomeofthetips,tricksandknowledgeaboutpetwastethatwehavescoopedupovertheyears.Feelfreetosharethisinformationandadvicewithyourresidentsandfellowcommunitymanagers.
Suggestedusesforthiscollectionofeducationalarticles:
● Sendinganewarticletoyouremaildistributionlisteverymonth● Includingarticlesinyourmonthlyorquarterlycommunitynewsletters● Distributingarticlesatyourcommunitymeetings● Usingthesearticlesashandoutslocatedinyourclubhouseorcommunitycenter● Includinganarticlewithanypetwasterelatedviolationnoticestoresidents● Distributingarticleswithassessments● Includingarticleswithnewhomeownerpackets● Usingthesearticlesascontentforpublishingonyourcommunityblog● Postingarticlesonanycommunitymessageboards
Toreceivethesegreatneweducationalarticlesforhomeownerseverymonthbyemail,allforfree,complimentsofDoodyCalls,visithttp://www.doodycallsED.com.