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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.

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Page Thirty-Five

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 18-Sep-99 21:38:47

parvocide type kennel disinfectant

Hi pooper scoopers.Can any Canadian scoopers tell us what product they are using for a disinfectant? The vets we have spoke with tell us to use bleach. No one at the pet supply stores have a clue. The listings in Matthew's book are in the U.S. Any info would be most appreicated. Great site you've got going here. Cathy.

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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 19-Sep-99 21:01:57

Re: parvocide type kennel disinfectant

Hi Cathy, sorry I don't have an answer for you but I was just wondering where in Canada you were. I am in Edmonton and was interested in starting up a Pooper Scooper business here in the spring. I know of 2 other business in the city and was wondering if you could lend any advice on getting started in Canada - licensing etc.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks. Wendy

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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 19-Sep-99 23:47:10

Re: parvocide type kennel disinfectant

KV Pet Supply carries a couple of different kinds of pet related disinfectant: Ken-care and Nolvasan Solution. Both kill parvo, newcastle, distemper etc. It's a little costly, but it's also very concentrated. A gallon will last a year. You can contact them at: 402 367-6047 or fax 800 269-0093; International fax 402 367-6168 or www.kvvet.com
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 20-Sep-99 13:34:19

Re: parvocide type kennel disinfectant

Hi Cathy!

I have been told by vets and our local animal shelter to use bleach. The director of the animal shelter told me she uses bleach to clean the cages of animals that were infested with all kinds of diseases and she trusted the bleach more than any thing else to kill every kind of bacteria. Besides the cost factor, this is the #1 way to go!

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 20-Sep-99 00:00:10

Re: Scoopers shuttin' down

John, I'm sorry to hear about your injuries and the closing of your business. We'll keep you in our prayers.
I appreciate you trusting me with your Valley customers and we will do our best to keep them satisfied and preserve the reputation of Scoopers.
If I can be of any help in the future, please call me.
Sincerely,
Tim
Scoop Masters

PS. Do you know of any outfits in Simi Valley?!?

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 21-Sep-99 00:35:47

Re: Re: Scoopers shuttin' down

Hey Tim,

I think I was about it out that way - at least I don't know of anyone that I can honestly rcmn'd. I was just getting ready to market in that area... blah...

I think the area could be viable, given time and effort.

I've kicked your number through to the clients within the main SF Valley. I don't know how many of them will call, but do take good care of them, please? They're a good bunch of people. I was amazed at how many of them told me to take a few weeks or months off and they'd wait.

These are the hardest phone calls I've ever had to make. You're going to be contacted by a guy who has a 12 year old German Shepard, severe hip problems & doesn't move well. His back end needs washing down, amonsgst other things. It's a 6 day a week cleaning, up the hill south of the Blvd. Time wise I don't know if it will make sense to do it, but the dog really needs a good careing person to help him out... I did it for the dog's sake (maybe you can nail some clients around the place - I hadn't had a chance yet), mainly.

Know any outfits in the Pasadena area?

John

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 22-Sep-99 01:01:36

Re: Re: Re: Scoopers shuttin' down

Thanks John!
I don't know of anyone in Pasedena yet. (Maybe I'll expand out there sometime soon) I started dipping into La Canana / Flintridge, so what's a few more miles? All of your customers who called so far really speak highly of you. If you were charging less than what I normally charge, I told them I would match your fee. Even the one with the old German sheppard. (sounds like fun!?!) Thanks again.
If you know of any other outfits in the greater LA area, let me know. I seem to get calls from all over and I'm just not ready to expand to areas like Marina Del Rey, Malibu, 1000 Oaks etc.
Take care,
Tim

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 24-Sep-99 05:34:18

Re: Re: Re: Re: Scoopers shuttin' down

I've gotten about 13 calls over the last couple days for the greater LA area, still haven't located anyone...

I need to disconnect the phone line - it's getting depressing ;^\

The quickest way I found for the Shep is to have a supply of surgical gloves. Glove the hand with the holding the hose, allows you to work the hair surrounding the offending (offended?) area. Cuts the total yard time down to under 5 minutes, including cleaning. Invoice them for the gloves, they're ok with it.

What a year...

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 20-Sep-99 00:07:45

why shut down hire someone

why shut down hire someone, thats what you want to do anyway

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 24-Sep-99 05:41:28

Re: why shut down hire someone

Yes, but the timing wasn't quite right. Not enough for both his and my payroll given the total yards (at least not what I'd like to pay someone who represents a biz that's mine).

No training either, increased liability, insurance, 2nd truck to do it right, couldn't expand as quickly (doubt if the new worker could cover 50+ daily yards very soon), payroll, liability, then of course there's the increased liability factor. Assuming one does it legally.

jr

ps - I think living in the "Sue Me" state has gotten to me...
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 20-Sep-99 05:48:56

Re: Scoopers shuttin' down

Hi John,

Sorry to hear about all your problems. Hope things will get better for you.

The scooping business will indeed miss you. Best of luck!

Pat

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 21-Sep-99 12:04:31

Canadian Pooper Scoopers

Hi
I am looking to hear from any Canadian Scoopers out there. I am in Edmonton and was interested in starting a Pooper Scooper business next spring. I know of 2 others in the city so I will have healthy competition and will have to work harder at getting customers. I was wondering is anyone has any advice to give and what type of licensing and bonding etc is needed in Canada to start up. Thanks for any help
Wendy

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 21-Sep-99 20:44:30

Re: Canadian Pooper Scoopers

Hi Wendy,
We are in B.C. so we are not competition for you. We went to our local City Hall for the business license forms and asked at the Landfill for info. The Landfill told us their price and sent us to the Regional Office of ??(-sorry I forget,and the forms aren't here. I'll get back to you later on that)- for applications and forms. If someone else has already paved the path, these people will know what to answer you. We are not up and running yet, we are still getting our ducks in a row so I haven't any answers regarding bonding. All the best to you. Cathy.

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 21-Sep-99 14:58:55

neighborhoods

Hi, I have recently opened a business and was wondering what neighborhoods (income) responded the best for this service. I wonder if rich neighborhoods would do this since they seem to all have lawn maintenance services. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you, Mandi

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Sep-99 16:35:59

Re: neighborhoods

I found that most of the lawn services did not clean up after the dogs. In fact, they tend to be good for referrals, so you might want to talk to some of the people who run the lawn services, maybe give them a supply of your business cards, and so on.
I was surprised at some of the neighborhoods we got customers from -- apparently you don't have to have a lot of money to prefer somebody else cleaning up dog poop. :) But yes, in general the highest concentration of customers come from the more affluent areas, in my experience.
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 25-Sep-99 13:41:10

Scoopers: here's a new one

Well, this is different.

Looked out my front door yesterday & noticed that the passanger door to my pickup was open. Didn't remember leaving it open - walked outside and closed it. A voice comes wafting from down the street, "Sir? Is that your truck?"

Turning my head, I see two LAPD officers approaching at a cautious yet rapid gait and answer "Yes..."

"We need to ask you some questions, sir, please come here and turn around."

On went the cuffs, and my head starts spinning - the only thing I can think of is there is a small amount of old damage on the right front fender. Wondering if the vehicle happens to match a hit and run or something, I wait in the back of the patrol car, sitting on the handcuffs, while one officer looks the truck over.

After about 90 minutes of sitting in the back of the car, my wife going into fits, much explaining and eventually digging up the title (in my name) they removed the cuffs. Turns out the employee of the used car lot where I purchased the truck had stolen the pink slip, tranfered the title to me, pocketed the money and split. This was in December - in March the dealer noticed a truck missing from inventory, and reported it stolen. 3 months after I took possesion of it. I had my insurance agent run the VIN number before I picked it up, it was clean (hadn't been reported yet).

So... I now have a 'stolen' truck sitting in impound, have to get a lawyer to clear this up (hopefully in my favor) and my jaw is still sitting on the ground... I'm just glad it happened outside my house so my wife could get the pink slip on it from inside - on a freeway or surface street I would have been sitting in jail.

What a life.

John

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 27-Sep-99 17:16:16

Re: Scoopers: here's a new one

John,
What a story! Hope things work out. After the air clears you ought to offer your services to LAPD officers who have canine partners. You might get some good publicity out of this!!

Mick, Scoopity Doo Dog
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 26-Sep-99 13:09:47

Clients who neglect dogs

We have a couple of scooping clients who don't mistreat their dogs, but to us, are in the "questionable" range of treatment. But we don't know if we are being hyper-sensitive because we treat our pets extraordinarily well (they're family, after all...)

**All but one** of our clients keep their dogs outside all day, everyday. (Is this unusal for you other scoopers? It seems strange that people leave their pets so vulnerable as to keep them outside, alone, during the day.) It is a hot climate here, and we have noticed some people don't put out fresh water, or leave out food that is filled with bugs, leave dangerous items in the yard (a big broken ceramic planter). Is it our place to say something to the owners? And how does one do so without being fired? Obviously, we care more for the well-being of the dogs than keeping a client, but at least if they are a client, we can fill the water bowls when we're there. If we aren't around, we don't know who will do this sort of thing.

Any helpful words or advice?
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 27-Sep-99 02:15:08

Re: Clients who neglect dogs

I had somewhat of the same situation, just a couple of clients who were a little borderline with the lack of water, etc.

Instead of speaking directly to the client(s), i enclosed a generic letter in my billing, it went to all clients (although you could simnply enclose it in the bill to the offending client). It was a 'reminer' all clients that summer is here and to make sure that your dogs have water, shade, etc., that I had given water to a couple of dogs whose water dish was empty, etc.

The couple of clients that hadn't been taking as good care of their animals as I liked cleaned up their act, there was no animosity or confrontation.

You might try your version of that, it worked for me...

truckless in los angeles

John
Scoopers
"Your Dog's Business is Tim's Business"

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 27-Sep-99 19:46:24

cat boxes

I have searched on your archives for any info on what to charge for doing cat litter trays. I am very interested in doing this and would appreciate any comments. Do you charge per cat or per cat tray? Also is there a difference in fees if you scoop the tray or just throw it all out? Are cats discussed in Matthews book? Thank you for any replies. Mandi

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Sep-99 16:20:36

Re: cat boxes

Hi Mandi,

My husband and I have done a litter box service for years, so I guess that makes us experts?! I did not see anything in Matthew's book when we bought it after deciding to expand into cleaning up after dogs too. We charge the same for cat cleanup as for dog cleanup...keeps it simple that way. $8 per one cat/one box---plus $2 per each extra cat and/or extra box. We advise folks on how to keep the cost down by not using too many boxes (usually they get more boxes rather than clean them!) We NEVER, NEVER just scoop the litter box, but we do encourage them to scoop the solids out daily and flush it away, by giving them a FREE metal scooper at the sign-up visit. Our job is to dump (double bag) the litter, dispose of it in their outdoor garbage container, scrub clean the box, disinfect & deodorize the box, refill with their fresh litter, and then clean up the immediate area (we have a portable vacuum). As a last touch, we spray a little air freshner! The whole point is to keep their HOUSE SMELLING FRESH while the point of scooping yards to keep from stepping in something. In both cases it looks bad, is yucky to most pet owners, and is unhealthy if left too long. Cats are fastidious and won't use a litter box left too long---they will leave "little reminders" next to the box or behind the couch! But usually a thorough once-a-week cleaning keeps 'em coming back... We fit these right into our routes---just slightly different equipment, but we allow a 15 minute stop. Since we have our "cat people" and our "dog people" we have slightly different newsletters on our billing statements so that we can add tips or trivia that fit the species. Any more questions or concerns, just contact me and I will help if I can...

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 02-Oct-99 10:36:14

Re: cat boxes

I was wondering, Tricia, you say you scrub, disenfect and deoderize. Where or how do you do this? Do you do it in owners bathroom? Outside w/hose? Or do you have something in your truck?? Since I like the idea of cleaning catpans too.I hope my question isn't silly.

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 04-Oct-99 05:18:56

Re: Re: cat boxes

Hi Bet...
No such thing as a silly question! I wash the litter boxes in the client's utility tub in their laundry room or garage. If they don't have one, I ask permission to use their kitchen sink, explaining that I will clean up afterwards and disinfect that too. Bathroom sinks are too small, bathtubs are too awkward, and outside hoses take too long (not to mention impossible in the winter).
Tricia, TAIL END PooPER SCooPERS

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 01-Oct-99 09:45:50

Service in Washington, D.C. area

My husband and I live outside of D.C. in Arlington, VA. We have a very small yard and two big dogs (who make a lot of poop). For almost a year, we were using a very good dog waste removal service, but the owner decided to close down the business to go to Vet tech school.
I have tried (unsuccessfully) to locate another service that would be able to clean out our poop on a weekly basis (or even bi-weekly basis). I tried contacting the services listed in the directory in the website a couple months ago and I also tried looking in the yellow pages.
Does anyone know of a service (perhaps new?) in my area (Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, or Maryland)?
Please e-mail me privately if you wish:
sfrones@worldnet.att.net

Thanks,
Simone


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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 02-Oct-99 15:54:00

Any Scoopers in Anchorage?

I've been asked by a dog owner in Alaska to help locate a dog waste removal service in the Anchorage area. If anyone knows of one, please let me know. :)

Thanks!

Matthew

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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 03-Oct-99 12:52:14

Has anyone heard about allpets.com?

This is a different kind pet web-site; allpets has offered me an outlet with regard to those issues or question I have about my pets. They have also put together an interesting pet magazine and a very informative pet encyclopedia.

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 05-Oct-99 21:40:00

Considering the business

I live in the Central Valley in Northern California. I am considering this business, but don't have a whole lot of info. How much do most charge, how often do you go, what about dogs not detained while picking up, is there much of a demand out there, how do I find out about the demand. Any info or input would be much appreciated. Thank you, Crazy.


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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 06-Oct-99 18:02:18

Re: Considering the business

Sandra,
See reply to Mary's message (Sept. 16)"More info on starting this business" from Red of Pet Butler of Dallas. In other words, do your homework!
Tricia

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 08-Oct-99 23:49:54

How does anyone make money?

I am interested in this business but I do not see how you can make serious money when you are charging so little money! Driving to someones house to pick up doody and charging only $8 seems like a waste of time to me. Maybe I am wrong! Please respond.
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 09-Oct-99 05:00:34

Re: How does anyone make money?

If you average 4 customers per hour, including travel time, at $8 each, you generate $32/hr. If you average 5, you make $40/hour. To someone used to making $9 or $10 an hour, that's worthwhile, isn't it? Even with just a few customers, that would be a rewarding part-time extra income maker.
Furthermore, if you charge $8 for one dog, once a week, your average charge will probably be closer to $10, accounting for customers with more than one dog.
If you have just 150 customers, at an average charge of $9 per week, you could generate $1,300 a week. That's not bad for a one-person business.
And if have have several hundred customers, you could have a good team of employees, all earning good money, while you build equity in a profitable business.
With very low start-up costs, this business can be a veritable cash cow!
In my own case, I started with just $150 in 1988, and over the next ten years bootstrapped my little doggie service into a business with seven employees, a fleet of 6 Toyota pickup trucks, over 600 regular weekly clients, and gross revenues greater than $20,000 per month.
I sold that business for nearly a quarter-million dollars. To me, that was worthwhile.
(By the way, that business is still growing and under the able direction of it's new owner.)
Now, strange as it must sound, the work itself has its rewards. heh... it's true: more than one professional pooper-scooper has said that this is the best job they've ever had.
Yes, it has its unpleasant side -- that's obvious. But there are good points, too: you're outside, working on your own, setting your own pace. You immediately see the results of your work, and know that it's a job that has to be done, you do it excellently, and the people you do it for really, really appreciate you.
You frequently get to work in some beautifully landscaped environments, hear the birds, see the sun...
And you just wanted to know about the money. :)

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 09-Oct-99 14:46:39

Re: How does anyone make money?

Ken, Matthew Osborn (owner of this site) has a book that tells all about the business.

But just take a moment to do the math. $8/visit times 4-6 visits/hr is $32-48/hr. Calculate the expenses on a monthly basis to figure how many clients (billable hours) you need to break even.

Advertising will probably be your biggest expense unless you buy a new truck. Figure several hundred per month to get your name out there.

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 09-Oct-99 14:59:14

Door hanger marketing

Hello All,
I am now in business in Vancouver, WA as Scoop Doggie Dog Pet Waste Removal Service.
As I begin marketing this service, I am wondering what type of response rate to expect from door hangers in select neighborhoods. I am having 5000 hangers printed but don't know if I should expect 25 clients (0.5% response) or 50 (1%). Does anyone have experience with this?
My marketing approach will be to hang 5000, do a write up in the local business journal (10,000 circulation), then another round of hangers within a couple of weeks.
All of the radio and TV stations are over the river in Portland and cover much to broad an area to want to market there now, so broadcasting is all but out of the question.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 12-Oct-99 13:25:37

Re: Door hanger marketing

We distributed 5,000 hanging flyers, and not counting cranks, got two calls. (We even offered a 2 free cleaning coupon on the flyer.) One became a regular client. It was a little disapointing, but I think there's a marketing rule something like "7 times to stick," meaning people often need to hear about your company repeatedly before they buy/sign up. Please share your results with us, and best of luck!

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 12-Oct-99 18:25:30

Re: Door hanger marketing

I've gotten some customers from door-hangers. My best response was .7% (that is, my best results were one time when I passed out 1,000 flyers and I got seven customers from that effort).
If you have more time than money, it can be a way to get some customers without spending much. But I've also passed out several hundred flyers with no response at all sometimes.
I do think the plan to pass flyers, get the newspaper coverage, and then pass flyers again, sounds like a good one.

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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 10-Oct-99 13:30:53

Pricing Changes?

Has anyone out there in pooper scooper land ever had to adjust (lower) their pricing or do you find that generally pricing isn't necessarily as important as service?

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 11-Oct-99 04:55:04

Re: Pricing Changes?

Your gut will tell you and by the potential customers that are calling...
in 9 years we have have only gone up $2's, but not on are old ones, and the new ones that call say we are cheap and reasonable.The other pooper-scoopers out there we are the highest.
I guess it depends how fast you want to grow and stable are these clients and your overhead.
I have made deals with people with that have said "oh could you do it for for this much" and I would say this much and we have a deal.So a dollar cheaper or two and theypay thier bills it works. They feel like they got a bargin of the day...


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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 11-Oct-99 07:10:19

Re: Pricing Changes?

In general, I've not found a need to lower prices. We have raised prices a couple of times over the years. I know of one company who last spring had so much new business they raised prices in hopes that the business would slow down a little -- it didn't slow down. :)
There have been a couple of exceptions; out of hundreds of customers I have given a special price break to three or four people. But normally I feel it's important to maintain the regular price structure.
I do feel that the quality and reliability of the service is more important to most of the customers, as opposed to the lowest price.