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THE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF DOG WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board Archives

Messages archived from the Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board, going back to May of 1998. The discussion board board is an online forum about the business of pet-waste removal. Browse the messages, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH by keyword, or click here to participate in current discussions.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Sep-98 08:15:47

business yellow page category ... Hi everyone,

I need HELP!!

I am fighting with my yellow page publishing company over the appropriate category to list my business under, just like Matthew said would happen. They may consider establishing the correct category (either Pet Waste Removal or Pet Services-Miscellaneous, if I can prove to them that this is not a fly-by-night fad.

If any of your businesses are listed in the yellow pages under the appropriate category, would you forward that information on to me. They are asking that I supply them with the category name, a five digit category number following, if it applies, and the name of the telephone company.

I'd appreciate a response ASAP, if you can help me.

Thanks a lot!!!!!

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Sep-98 09:43:44

Re: business yellow page category ... Hi Pat,

I know what you mean. :) I had a terrible time getting a good listing in the yellow pages for my first several years! They tried "Pet Groomers," "Pet Shops," and even "Waste Reduction, Disposal and Recycling".... ugh!
Finally we just said that none of those was satisfactory, and we wouldn't pay for an ad unless we got a better classification. Of course, that was only when we were in the position to buy ads bigger than the free listing that comes with the phone line.
As it happened, that was the same year that an imitator also made the same demand, so we got "Pet Waste Removal." It's been in our Yellow Pages here in Columbus, Ohio for several years now, and it has five listings in the category. Three of those listings are paid ads, too -- which should encourage your yellow pages people to add the category.
This is the Ameritech PagesPlus (R) book, for 1997-98, area code 614. It's on pages 1056 and 1057.
Other Yellow Pages books around the country have a "Pet Waste Removal" category, too. I saw several of them in the phone books when I was doing research at the library.
I would have been happy just to have a "Pet Services, Misc" category, and was always surprised they wouldn't make one. But "Pet Waste Removal" is even better. :)

Good Luck!

Matthew

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Sep-98 22:44:57

Re: business yellow page category ... 'lo

Pacific Bell (not a little company so they should have heard of them... )lists me under the heading Pet Waste Removal. their advertising people are at (theoretically) 800-248-2800.

It's a little lonely there at the moment, as I'm the only one listed so far.

John
Scoopers Dog Waste Removal Service
"Your Dog's Business is Our Business"

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Sep-98 01:16:50

Re: business yellow page category ... i was told by the yellow pages here in st. louis that there had to be so many companies in so many states and than they would produce a heading pooper-scooper so 5 years later still no heading but i found enough business in the states they had said. than what happen was pet waste removal see pet services, so at least under dog and pets you could find a pooper-scooper service. you have to stay on their butts every year about this. find out what states your yellow pages cover and than find out how many companies there is and contact them and have them all call too and if have to go thru all the channels ask for the president, i made it to the sec of the president and got the pet waste removal now i'm working on pooper-scooper catagory. i find it helpful if you have what you do in your name example:Yuckos pooper-scooper service, that is how we are listed and people do notice us that way
hang in there
yucko debbie

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 12-Sep-98 11:32:16

Re: business yellow page category ... Hi Pat, I understand your frustration with the yellow page. It took us 4 years for them to finally give us our own catagory " Pet Waste Removal". It is great to have but on the otherhand we get about 30 calls a year from people thinking we pick up dead animals. So be prepared for all types of calls. By the way this is listed with the Don-Tech Ameripages Chicago.
I would like to wish you much success in your business.

Diane Rossi ( Have Doggie, We'll Doo!! )

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 21-Sep-98 20:02:31

Re: business yellow page category ... HELLO!
I'M TOM WISTEHUFF AND I MANAGE TEN SALES PEOPLE AT A MAJOR (THE BIGGEST) YELLOW PAGE PUBLISHER IN THE MIDWEST. WE ESTABLISHED PET WASTE REMOVAL LAST YEAR IN OUR BIG URBAN DIRECTORY BASED ON THE FACT THAT IT WAS SIMPLY A SERVICE UNDEFINED BY ANY OTHER PET SERVICE. IF ONE CAN PROVE THAT THEIR SERVICE IS UNIQUE, THEN THE PROCESS IS EASY. ADMITTEDLY, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS FINDING A YELLOW PAGE SALES REP OR MANAGER THAT WILL TAKE THE TIME TO FILE THE APPROPRIATE PAPERWORK NECESSARY TO PRESENT THE "HEADING REQUEST" TO THE HEADINGS COMMITTEE.. THIS YEAR SOMEONE ACTUALLY PROVED THAT THE HEADING OF NAIL SALONS WAS NECESSARY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS CURRENTLY A HEADING FOR MANICURING.

TO FIND THIS "CHAMPION" YOU WILL NEED TO TALK OF PLACING AN AD AS THESE REPS ARE PAID ALMOST ALL COMMISSION AND NEED A CARROT DANGLING IN FRONT OF THEM TO DO THE LEGWORK. YOU REMEMBER THAT WITH A BUSINESS LINE YOU GET A FREE LISTING IN THE YELLOW PAGES AND THE SALES REP WONT GET ANYTHING.

ALSO REMEMBER THAT MOST DIRECTORIES CANVASS FOR SALES SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO PUBLISHING AND DELIVERING THE BOOK AND THAT TO OFFER A NEW HEADING FAIRLY, ENOUGH TIME MUST PASS BETWEEN APPROVAL OF THE HEADING AND CLOSE OF SALES SO THAT EVERY POTENTIAL BUSINESS CAN BE ALLOWED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED UNDER THAT HEADING.

SO, LOOK AT THE DATE ON YOUR PHONE BOOK COVER AND ASSUME YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST EIGHT MONTHS ADVANCE NOTICE TO PROPOSE, SUPPORT AND WIN YOUR REQUEST.

FINALLY, YOU MAY NEED TO PROVIDE SUPPORTING INFORMATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS. A COPY OF MICHAEL'S BOOK AND SOME ADS OR PAMPHLETS TO PROVE THERE IS A MARKET WILL SUFFICE. PRINTOUTS OF THIS WEBSITE WILL SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENT ALSO.

GOOD LUCK.

TOM WISTEHUFF

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Sep-98 12:33:21

New business update ... I'm always curious about other people just starting their poop businesses, so I thought some of you might be curious about how we're doing, too.

A month or so ago I told about our big plans to accelerate our business from the start(press releases, direct mail, park service, etc.). Here's what's happened. Only one (out of 35) newspaper published our press release--and they left out our telephone number. We put one ad in our major newspaper, and got one customer (The ad cost $130. Our return from that customer is $40/month.) We got a second customer from word of mouth. We put flyers on 350 door steps and got no calls. We put flyers and cards at some of the busiest local vets and got no calls. The result of these mediocre "passive" efforts is two customers in 1-1/2 months. In all fairness, we were also building a house and traveling for our "real jobs" during the past month, so our attention has been scattered.

All excuses aside, we decided a focused, active, and personal approach was called for, so here's what we've done in the last five days.

First we contacted the parks about cleaning. So far all we've gotten is the name of the right person to talk to. Now we're trying to reach him.

Then we decided to call anyone that has anything to do with dogs in our city and volunteer to help them in upcoming events and to advertise in their newsletters. The result is some good trade opportunities and some great free advertising:

We just got a call from a dog show committee asking if we'd clean at their upcoming major fall show. The pay is OK, ($150/day for 3 full days), but they're also giving us a free booth and we get all the advertising we can muster. At our booth we want to sell some cute poop-related stuff (like "Pooppals")--mainly as a way of interesting people in stopping long enough to hear about us. We'll also have a "free--take one" stack of plastic bags for the doo-it-yourselfers.

Next week we'll be cleaning at a small neighborhood Pet Fair. For both these events we'll wear t-shirts and some kind of funny or outrageous hat (so we stand out as more than just "the help"). For the pet fair, although we don't get a booth, we get to put a coupon in the grab bag that all participants take home. And of course we get all the free advertising we can muster.

We also called the humane society and volunteered for any upcoming events. On the strength of our volunteering (even though they didn't have any upcoming events) we were invited to put a display ad in the humane society newsletter (circulation 10,000) for the next six months! That same happened with the local therapy animals group.

The personal approach is definitely getting more action than "passive advertising" did. Now we'll see if we get any business out of it.

We haven't sent direct mail postcards yet to our list of licensed dog owners (another passive approach). We decided to heed information from the experienced professionals and wait until mid-to-late September when business may pick up. I'm hesitant about these passive advertising approaches. Although they're easy to do, so far they're expensive and unsuccessful.

That's it for now.

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Sep-98 08:42:53

Re: New business update ... I know you won't want to hear it, but repetition is the key. It's also expensive.

The best bang for the buck? BIG letters on a clean, well maintained truck. Drive the truck often. One of four of my customers said they called because they saw the trucks.

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 12-Sep-98 02:03:50

Re: New business update ... Linda,

Oh, how I do take your side. I only continue spending 35 dollars per month on one ad in a daily coffee newspaper and 6 dollars/time spot on the local TV channel. The rest of it is just chatting with everyone ( * and their dog) about my business. Many have already seen my ads....and others are delighted to hear that such a service exists! How the word spreads just by others passing it on. The one thing I truly stand on is the word of mouth:

Tell the checkout person at the supermarket.
Tell the person who pumps your gas.
Tell the waiter/waitress.
Tell the elevator operator.
Tell the person who fixes you car.
Tell the neighbors.
Tell all your friends.
Tell, talk, and tattle it all over!

It is surprising how many people will remember you because of the uniqueness and novelty of the business, thus passing along the info to their family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances who are pet lovers, but not scoopers!!

Get excited ! Stay positive! Remember what they say about the building of Rome?

God bless,
Wil

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Sep-98 11:12:55

Re: New business update ... Linda - REPETITION - REPETITION - REPETITION
When we pass out "flyers" (we do not use the traditional one sheet of paper. it ususally gets tossed out.) We pass them out and keep a map. We then go back 5-6 weeks later and do the same houses again. Again 5-6 weeks later do the same houses. It is a numbers game. the more you do the more you'll get. We pass out 2500-6000
"flyers" at a time. We hire a local person and sometimes, not to often a company. The company's tend to charge a higher fee. But at $40.00 per thousand ( thousand a day) from our local person we get more bang for our buck.

Again REPETITION - REPETITION - REPETITION

Good luck
Diane Rossi
Have Doggie, We'll Doo!!
www.petneeds.net

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Sep-98 12:13:23

Re: Re: New business update ... How many flyers to you have to pass out to get one customer?

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 17-Sep-98 12:13:32

Re: Re: Re: New business update ... Hi Linda - I say that a potential client has to hear or see your name 7 times before they even consider calling (average). We pass out flyers around 4-5 times in the same area. same houses.
The more consistent we are the more customers call.
Diane

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Sep-98 16:39:27

Newspaper article ... Heres and idea I had that has really worked out well. I went to our local newspaper to drop off a press release. While I was there, I asked to speak with a reporter. After a short wait I was greeted by a young lady (staff writer) who grinned when I asked her if she'd like to do a story about a unique new business i was starting in town. After a short explaination of the business, I was taken into a room where she interviewed me, taking pages of notes. Today or tomorrow, they will send a photographer out to take some pictures of me at work. As luck would have it, they want to print the story and pictures in the Sunday edition. I haven't aksed yet, but I assuming the picture will be in color since the Sunday edition is the largest edition of the paper here.
I plan to speak to a reporter at a rival newspaper today or tomorrow, and I will be maijg phone calls to reporters at the three closest TV stations, since new shows love to do "human interest" stories.
I'll let you all know how it goes. But don't let anything stop you from goinf right in and telling the newspaper and TV reporters all about you. They may just surprise you and do a story on your business!

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Sep-98 16:39:27

Newspaper article ... Heres and idea I had that has really worked out well. I went to our local newspaper to drop off a press release. While I was there, I asked to speak with a reporter. After a short wait I was greeted by a young lady (staff writer) who grinned when I asked her if she'd like to do a story about a unique new business i was starting in town. After a short explaination of the business, I was taken into a room where she interviewed me, taking pages of notes. Today or tomorrow, they will send a photographer out to take some pictures of me at work. As luck would have it, they want to print the story and pictures in the Sunday edition. I haven't aksed yet, but I assuming the picture will be in color since the Sunday edition is the largest edition of the paper here.
I plan to speak to a reporter at a rival newspaper today or tomorrow, and I will be maijg phone calls to reporters at the three closest TV stations, since new shows love to do "human interest" stories.
I'll let you all know how it goes. But don't let anything stop you from goinf right in and telling the newspaper and TV reporters all about you. They may just surprise you and do a story on your business!

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Sep-98 18:25:41

Pigeon Poop??? ... Hi all,

Just got a call from the editor of the local newspaper, and he wanted to know if I could help him with the pidgeon poop problem around their huge air condition unit on the roof. Apparently, it is a gravel roof and they have tried sprying the mess with high-pressure water hoses, but the odor remains and is sucked into the air ducts and blown around through the entire building.
Any advice or direction would be appreciated as I told him I would try and have an answer for him in a day or two. Also...what do you think I should charge for keeping that area poop free??

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Sep-98 08:37:00

Re: Pigeon Poop??? ... Look into the health problems. At the very least, I recommend a dust mask.

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Sep-98 13:00:31

Re: Pigeon Poop??? ... I've never done the pigeon poop scene, but I'm about ready to do the goat poop pickup. Any practice pickin goat poop??

Also I visited your webpage - nice dog!! :)
Looks great - I love the circular thing!!

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Sep-98 08:33:10

Scooping in Findlay OH ... Anyone scooping in Findlay OH? One of my customers is moving there and doesn't want to go back to doing it herself.

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Sep-98 22:30:27

SAN DIEGO, HERE WE COME!!!! ... Hi mathew,
I received your book and could not put it down.WOW!! I've read it at least 4 times in the last month and believe that we are finally ready to get this started. We got our first customer with the first flyer I put up at the local pet store. I asked the manager if we could post one, went over the concept with her, and before I could get out the door she already had a customer chasing me out the door for the service. What a great way to start!! Our company name will be P.A.W.S. professional animal waste removal service, phone (619) 596-7789, e-mail fixyot4you@aol.com, our plan is to cover the whole san diego county area. I'll keep you informed how it goes. Thanks for all your help. RICK KRUG

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Sep-98 11:21:32

Re: SAN DIEGO, HERE WE COME!!!! ... Darn! Now I have to pick a different beautiful sunny warm location to move my poop business to when I retire :)

Best of luck to you!

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Sep-98 17:32:39

Re: Re: SAN DIEGO, HERE WE COME!!!! ... Not necessarily. Over 100,000 dogs there. Ought to be enough to retire on.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Sep-98 12:08:12

Re: Re: Re: SAN DIEGO, HERE WE COME!!!! ... You're right. But I won't get my suntan lotion out just yet--I've got years left in Salt Lake City. One silver lining is that at least in the winter, frozen poop is fairly easy to pick up.

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 19-Sep-98 10:14:01

Frozen poop ... Ah, yes! Poopsicle season approaches! For those who haven't done it yet, plan on extra bags. It won't compact when frozen, and you will be sure to pick up snow along with the poop. Also be aware that freezing and thawing makes it stick to everything, the ground, tools, trucks, waste cans, etc.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 28-Oct-98 14:15:37

Re: SAN DIEGO, HERE WE COME!!!! ... hi rick,
i also have a pet waste removel service in the
san diego area, called the dogs doo and all pets too. it's been a slow start but there are alot of pets around here that should keep us both busy for a long time. there is also one other business is this area, check out the yellow pages. well hey good luck to you and give me a call and we can trade stories and ideas

mark g.

the dogs doo and all pets too !

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 11-Sep-98 22:38:22

Business Startup ... I'm thinking about starting my own pooper-scooper business. How do I go about starting up? How are prices determined? What is the average time per yard?
Ray

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 12-Sep-98 12:04:54

Re: Business Startup ... Hi Ray,
Even though the idea of cleaning up after dogs is pretty straightforward, once you begin to plan seriously you find that there are many, many details involved. That's why I've put together my 10 years of experience in starting and growing a dog waste removal into a complete startup manual. It's called "The Professional Pooper-Scooper: How to start your own low-cost, high-profit dog waste removal service."
I can send free information about the book by regular mail, or by e-mail, or you can find quite a bit of information about the business in general and the book in particular at the Professional Pooper-Scooper Service Information website at http://www.pooper-scooper.com
You'll also find quite a bit of very useful information right here on this message board. Be sure to read all the way through the message board; you'll find most of your questions have been addressed by experienced pro's in the field. You'll find additional messages and their replies archived at the web site.
Now, specifially about your questions...
Prices are determined however you like, after all it's your own business. I have found that customers like a simple price schedule. I would charge according to the number of dogs and how frequently the yard is cleaned up. For instance, for one dog with once-a-week service, I'd charge $6.50/week. I'd charge an additional $3.50/week for each additional dog.
Prices around the country range from about $3.50/week per dog to $15/week for one dog.
As for how long it takes to clean an average yard, there is naturally quite a bit of variation. A first time job in a yard where two or three dogs have been pooping for years without ever having it cleaned up... that could take an hour and a half, for instance. But when you have a nice full schedule of regular customers, where you keep the yard cleaned regularly and you're familiar with the yards, you may average 5 or 6 yards per hour -- including travel time.
Of course, you won't be that quick at first. It takes several weeks to get used to the routine and techniques of searching, finding, scooping and bagging all the waste. And at first a large percentage of your clients will be first-time jobs. I think 4 yards per hour is a pretty decent average over a week's working time.

And keep reading the message board -- the people who participate here are terrific!

Matthew Osborn
Author "The Professional Pooper-Scooper"
http://www.pooper-scooper .com

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Sep-98 12:38:45

Hey, David with Doody Calls! ... David,

Did you get any response from the Parks (Urban Forest) people on your proposal?

DooAway's just been invited by the Assistant Director of park maintenance to submit proposals for several of our area parks. Do you have any advice you can share with us? Thanks!

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 17-Sep-98 15:00:58

Re: Hey, David with Doody Calls! ... Hi Linda,
Well...they're still going back and forth about it, and looking closely at their budget. This is a smallish city, under 50,000, and budgets are a big concern to them. As soon as I know something solid I'll let you know. Thanks for aksing!
As far as the proposal itself, I walked the areas I was bidding on, and guesstimated my time while figuring in the dog waste I saw. I took Matthews advice and made sure to figure my time as an average, since there will be visits when the owrk takes considerably longer, like when it rains. Then I carefully explained it all in my proposal. The woman who intitially looked it over was impressed with the layout and the pricing, as well as the information I provided as to how we figured the projected costs.

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 21-Sep-98 11:15:05

Re: Re: Hey, David with Doody Calls! ... Thanks, David. I hadn't thought about putting in thejustification for our pricing. Good suggestion.

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Sep-98 02:42:24

Newspaper article ... Hi all,

Well, the local newspaper did and article on me, and it appeared on the front page with a color photo. Just came out yesterday and already got two calls! We're hoping that a lot of people will call this weekend.

Try it. Call the paper and tell them all about you!

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 20-Sep-98 19:35:04

Re: Newspaper article ... Hi David,
I also called my local newspaper and told them
about my poop scooping business,they thought it
was a great idea and sent out a wonderful reporter who rode with me for the day.Then they had a photographer meet with me to take some pictures.I was shocked when it came out in the paper and it was on the front page with a color photo!
The morning it came out the phone was ringing
of the hook!The first day I got 12 new jobs,all
told I got 30 new jobs from the article(I know this because all these new customers mentioned the article).This has been by far my best source of advertising and it was free.It reached so many people who told me they didn't know my business existed in my town and area.
Good Luck and Keep Scoopin',
Jerry(Pooch's Poop Removal)

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Sep-98 16:45:56

Dog Waste Disposal ... We are in the process of designing a kennel for about 80 dogs and I am interested to know if there is any type of "commercial" dog disposer out there. It seems that most people throw the waste in trash cans, dumpsters etc. Is there a collection/holding tank device that would grind/sanitize and flush into a sewer system?

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 19-Sep-98 10:08:33

Re: Dog Waste Disposal ... Any feces collected would have to be flushed into a sanitary sewer, not a storm water sewer. This requires a permit from the sewage treatment facility that serves you, regardless of whether or not you treat the sludge first. You can buy a package sewage plant and get a health department permit to leach or dump properly treated effluent. The standards would be the same as those hor human waste. This is a very enviromentally sound way to dispose of the waste. It is also very expensive.
You might want to look into agricultural treatment systems, but be aware that dogs diets are not the same as cows. Also be aware that there is a movement to require mech better (and more expensive) treatment of those wastes.
My guess is that the cost of frequent removal of waste to a landfill is the cheapest solution. Contact your local health department for more information. Sooner or later, you will need their cooperation on this and other issues. Start early, show responsible concern.

Good luck.