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DoodyCallsEducationalResources

TheCommunityPetWasteManagementCollection

PartOne: ThePetWasteManagementHandbook

Thedefinitiveguidetocommunitypetwastemanagement.Thishandbookwillteachyouhowtodesignandimplementacomprehensivepetwastemanagementplan.

PartTwo:

TheRealScoopSeries Acollectionofeducationalarticlesdesignedtoeducateresidentsabouttheimportanceofkeepingpetwasteofftheground.Thesearticlesareperfectforpublishingincommunitynewsletters,newresident

packets,communitymessageboards,andmore. ReceivegreatnewcontentfromTheRealScoopSerieseverymonthbyemail‐allforfree,courtesyof

DoodyCalls.Tosignup,pleasevisithttp://www.doodycallsED.com.

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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.