Dear Los Angeles, Scoop That Poop!
International Pooper Scooper Week is celebrated annually from April 1st through 7th. Its goal is to encourage pet parents to scoop their pets’ poop and discard it responsibly. Today, we are going to break down the top reasons why it is important to scoop that poop - both for our pets and our communities!
Poop Scooping Benefits
Being diligent about scooping poop has many benefits. First and foremost, poop can transmit many diseases including canine parvovirus, a potentially deadly and highly contagious virus. According to the AVMA, parvovirus can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk. “Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment,” says the AVMA. The virus is transmitted by contaminated hair, paws, shoes, etc.
In addition, giardia, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are common gastrointestinal parasites that may be present in dog feces. Because these parasites can be transmitted to humans and other species, picking up poop is key to keeping entire communities healthy and safe.
Practically speaking, poop scooping is also a courtesy we extend to our fellow Los Angelenos and visitors to the area. Nobody wants to be out and about, enjoying the beautiful Southern California weather only to step in a pile of fresh or not-so-fresh poop. Moreover, many dogs will attempt to eat poop they find on walks, which can, again, make them ill, and is likely to create a very unpleasant situation for their human handler.
As if these weren’t good enough reasons, pollutants from pet waste are washed into storm drains and waterways where they may deteriorate the quality of our water and harm aquatic life. Contaminated water can also affect the quality of our drinking water. Talk about gross! “Bagging and binning” poop is, therefore, the best way to ensure that pet waste makes its way to landfills that have special liners to prevent pathogens and chemicals from leaving the site.
Ginger and I in Koreatown, LA
Dog Poop in Los Angeles
Failing to pick up after your pet in Los Angeles County can cost you $100. Paquita prefers you spend that money on treats!
Poop Scooping in Los Angeles
Most towns, cities, and states across the US, Canada, and Europe have poop-scooping laws in place to encourage residents and visitors to do the right thing.
The State of California leaves poop-specific ordinances in the hands of local jurisdictions. According to Los Angeles County’s Code of Ordinances, “A person who owns or has custody of a dog (except a visually-impaired person with a guide dog) is required to remove the dog's feces immediately from public property or private property not owned or possessed by the owner or custodian of the dog. The dog's feces must be disposed of in a sanitary manner. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $100.”
To avoid fines, confrontations with neighbors, or insults from strangers, it’s always a good idea to carry extra poop bags when walking, traveling, or exploring with our pets.
Poop Scooping at Home
Poop scooping isn’t just for those evening strolls around the block or visits to our favorite pet-friendly Los Angeles restaurants. Properly scooping and discarding poop from our litter boxes and yards is just as important.
In addition to becoming a terrible mess, unscooped yards and litter boxes can attract rats, mice, flies, and other unsightly pests. Feces can also cause lawn damage due to increase nitrogen levels and lawn-destroying pests and fungi. Contrary to public opinion, dog poop is NOT a natural fertilizer.
Worst of all, neglecting yards and allowing poop to accumulate in litter boxes can create a negative experience for pets. While dogs and cats maintain different grooming and cleanliness standards from humans, as a rule, these species naturally avoid interacting with their excrement. They prefer to sniff fresh grass, soil, and litter over poop any day of the week.
Scoop Yards & Litter Boxes
Just think how much sweeter the snuggles would be without the possibility of poop-smeared kisses…
Ollie agrees!
Lusha and I in Hollywood, LA
Poop Scooping Tools
We recommend you visit this link to find the best poop scoopers on the market. With the right tools and attitude, you can improve your dog’s quality of life and your yard’s appearance in only a few hours.
Poop Scooping Pros
As a professional pet sitter and dog walker, you could say that I am an expert poop handler. I pride myself on always having poop bags with me on dog walks and bringing poop bags with me to scoop litter boxes during cat sits. I am so dedicated to scooping poop, that am I currently working on adding yard poop scooping to my repertoire of services. Stay tuned! In the meantime, you may find a Los Angeles area poop scooper here.
To learn more about Furbaby Bestie and our dog walking, pet sitting, and overnight pet care services, visit our website or email us at info@furbabybestie.com.
All the bestie, Steph
