Chances are you’ve walked a dog or know someone who has in your lifetime. Dogs are undeniably great; they’re cute, they love us unconditionally, and they get us out of the house.
And while some dogs are smart enough to learn remarkable commands and do amazing tricks, they rely on responsible pet owners to make sure their waste gets properly cleaned up and disposed of.
Leaving poop unscooped can be tempting, especially when your pup is sick or off-leash and out-of-sight for just long enough to do the doo but not long enough to verify where it’s located. We’ve all been there. Even the owner of a local poop scooper business, DoodyCalls, knows that feeling! As a young man in the 1970s, Rick and his friends would bury dog poop in the yard or toss it in a creek that flowed behind their homes. But now, as the owner of a business that aims to remedy this issue, Rick realizes the drawbacks of this behavior.
There are multiple problems that stem from leaving pet poop unscooped.
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Unlike wild animal poop, dog feces are PACKED with extra nutrients. Want proof? Wild animals are healthy when they are able to look for food all day. Your dog stays healthy when it’s able to eat a little bit in the morning, nap most of the day, chase a ball for a bit and then eat again. If two small meals are all it takes to keep your dog healthy, they must be nutrient-rich and well balanced! Leaving poop on the ground creates perfect nutrient hotspots for invasive plants to flourish.
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Rats love it too! When rats can’t get into your garbage cans or homes, they are easily attracted to any food sources that are available. And when they don’t find a wicker basket full of fine wine, cheese, and bread, these rodents can settle for the undigested pieces of kibble found in abandoned dog waste (they’re not picky eaters). Leaving pet waste unscooped leads to uninvited rodent guests looking for dinner.
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Pet waste that doesn’t get picked up, can ultimately end up in our waterways. Urban and stormwater runoff can wash pet waste down storm drains and into streams, creeks, the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean untreated. Why does this matter? According to the EPA, pet waste contains bacteria that threaten the health of animals and people, especially children. Diseases that can be transmitted from pet waste include salmonellosis, toxocariasis, and toxoplasmosis. Not picking up after your dog can have some sickly consequences for beach-goers and aquatic animals alike.
Pet waste is one of the largest contributors to water quality problems in San Mateo County—but it’s one that each of us can help correct. Picking up your pet’s waste and properly disposing of it in the waste (not compost) receptacle is just one of the ways you can make a difference in our County’s water quality.
But if you need another motivator to pick up your own dog’s waste—do it for the stretch:
Do you have other creative ways of picking up after your pet? We’d love to hear from you! You can email info@flowstobay.org with your thoughts, questions, and concerns.
