Scoop The Poop Week

First Week Of April 2008

aPaws 'National Pooper-Scooper Week' Slated for first week of April 2008

The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (aPaws) was founded in February 2002 by a group of pooper-scoopers who believe that every dog should have its day. In recognition of a growing problem in our communities, aPaws has established a special week of educating pet owners on the importance of cleaning up after their dogs.

The attraction of flies, gnats, and bad smells can be a neighborhood nuisance if yards are not maintained. Some property management companies and condo associations are seeing the benefit of using a pooper-scooper service to maintain their common areas.
For some dog owners finding a workable solution has been either to clean it up or to ignore it. These days health-conscious dog owners are paying more attention to their dogs' living environment and taking more of a proactive approach in dealing with the dog poop left on the ground.

According to American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), there are 43.5 million dogs in the U.S. As the dog-count within the U.S. rises more dog owners are looking for a simple solution to an already mounting problem. (Source: http://www.appma.org/press_industrytrends.asp)

The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (aPaws) provides that solution. The non-profit organization's website, http://www.apaws.org, provides a directory of pooper-scooper companies in different states who can help any dog owner who may be looking for a workable solution to keeping their yards cleared of dog poop.

Armed with spade or rake in hand they go about every week cleaning up those mounds of "calling cards" our dogs leave on the ground. Reasonable rates range from $10.00 or more for once-a-week clean-up services. Some offer cat box clean-up for women who are pregnant and under strict orders from their doctors to reduce the risk of exposure to toxoplasmosis, while others provide dog-walking, pet-sitting, and geese poop clean-up. All of aPaws' members adhere to a strict code of conduct in the handling and care of animals.

The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (aPaws) wants to remind all dog owners to do their part by taking the time and care to make sure their pets' environments are kept cleared of potentially fatal health threats.