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DOG OWNERS: Love your dog -- hate poop?
Help is here at last!
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 Fifty-Two
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 14:15:19
Where to put the waste
I am in the process of starting a dog waste removal service in the Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada area (we're near Vancouver). I am trying to figure out what to do with the dog waste.
In my area they are strict with what is done with the dog waste due to the high contaminate levels in it. It is against the law to put it in a land fill and the sewege treatment plant here will not take it unless it is highly diluted, which is not the most feasible plan.
One suggestion given to me was to contact a hog farmer, because pig manure is similar in regards to composition, and add it to their supply.
I was wondering if anyone else has run into similar circumstances, and how they were able to deal with it.
Thanks
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 14:42:56
approaching apartments
How do you approach apartment complexes??? I am thinking about starting this business but my husband wants to first approach apartments.... What kind of prices do you charge and what do you say???? I would appreciate any advice... I have read the message board and book but have not really found a detailed descriptionof how to do this...Thank you, L.Ant
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 05-May-00 22:43:29
Re: approaching apartments
It's $50.00 per hour, per manpower. Haulaway included.Most complexes don't have, but a $200.00 a month budget. I bring four guys and I'm done in an hour
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 04-May-00 10:08:51
Doodah names
New to the business, but have a serious problem. Maybe some of you guys have come across a similar situation and might know how to help. Well, the truth is i can't say....you know..."it"....the stuff we deal with.
Any tips for useful metaphors for 'the old brown' that i can use without coming out in a hot flush ?
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 09-May-00 09:58:53
Re: Doodah names
The word "poop" really isn't that bad...it's not a swear word or anything. Just don't use the word "SH*t".
If you are an "employer", than the people you hire are "employees". If you are a Scooper, than the stuff you scoop is "scoopees".
Of course, there's "doo-doo" which isn't offensive. "Deposits" is a really un-offensive word, really far removed from any description.
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 10-May-00 10:23:03
Re: Doodah names
I personally use "treasures". Basically that's what it is!
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 10-May-00 20:34:43
Re: Doodah names
Gold Mines :-)
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 15-May-00 18:04:29
Re: Doodah names
In written form, I say dog waste. Orally, I say dog waste, some times piles.
There are times when the ability and willingness to say "poop" is an advantage.
Matthew used "Canine Calling Cards" effectively in an ad.
How 'bout
Lawnmower Landmines?
Dog logs?
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 17-May-00 16:30:49
Re: Doodah names
I use dog waste on my business cards, flyers, etc. I say dog waste to my clients until they call it something else. If they say poop, then I'll say poop during that discussion.
On a funny note: I had a older gentleman call in response to my add in a local weekly paper. He said, "Yeah, this here dog waste removal, what is that?"
I explained our business in my usual way, "We come to your home, scoop all dog waste from your yard or dog runs", blah blah...
And he says, "Dog waste, huh? You mean dog shit?! This is a dog s--- removal company?"
I said yes and we both laughed. He thought it was great, but he didn't have a dog. He promised to tell all his friends though!
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 22-May-00 12:00:43
Re: Doodah names
-- It gets easier with practice. I say dog poop, poop, dog waste, waste, "stuff," I've even used the phrase "the offensive material," in a sort of joking way. Let's see.... other euphemisms... piles, "canine calling cards," land-mines, stools, ...
Matthew
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 04-May-00 20:28:43
Pricing
I would like to get a variety of responses from this please. I am ordering Matthew's book, but the outline didn't look like it detailed pricing - I may be wrong (sorry if I am). I live in North Texas and have seen a couple price sheets from some companies on the net ranging from $5 to $9 for the first dog. How do you get this amount to charge? I was thinking about going lower but don't want to shoot myself in the foot later with low prices. Any info appreciated, sending advertisements out soon!
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 16-May-00 18:31:12
Re: Pricing
The most important part in pricing is the travel time & the yard size. Are you advertizing to an area with a lot of small yards in a small geographic area? Or are the houses far apart with acre lots? The dog can only go so many times a week, but it takes longer to cover an acre than a 10'by 20' pen. In a moble home park you only travel a few feet between houses, while in a farming community you may travel miles. Try to figure how much you want to make per hour. For example if you want to make $50.00 per hour how many would you be able to do in the area that you will be advertizing in. Hope this is some help. E-mail me if I can be of more help.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 06-Jun-00 09:55:09
Re: Re: Pricing
I go by what I think my time is worth. I charge $10 for 1 dog, once a week service. This is a thankless job, but it can pay. You are providing a professional service, just like the person at the counter that sells you personal items such as make-up (if you are a female}. Of course, there is the gas exspence, and odds and ends. E-mail if you need more info.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 06-Jun-00 09:55:09
Re: Re: Pricing
I go by what I think my time is worth. I charge $10 for 1 dog, once a week service. This is a thankless job, but it can pay. You are providing a professional service, just like the person at the counter that sells you personal items such as make-up (if you are a female}. Of course, there is the gas exspence, and odds and ends. E-mail if you need more info.
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 05-May-00 01:38:44
MOTHER'S DAY OFFER
Me again. . .
I had a thought for a Mother's Day gift. I am going to print up some cards, certificates for scoopin, buy some roses and see if I get any response from people that would want to do something like this for their favorite mom. I am going to deliver the card, flower and certificate the Friday before Mom's Day(MD) and start their service the week following MD. All purchases will be paid for in advance. What do you all think? Good idea? Stupid? Let me know please. Thanks!
GOT POOP? PET-DOO does a yard good!
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 15-May-00 17:58:30
Re: MOTHER'S DAY OFFER
LOVE the idea! Did you try it? Did it work?
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 17-May-00 13:06:12
Re: Re: MOTHER'S DAY OFFER
Hi Pete...
I didn't get in the paper soon enough. They had all they needed. I did mention it to a few people at the animal shelter, they thought I should try it again next year only start like at the end of April with a small ad and work my way up to a larger ad. So we'll see...
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 06-May-00 01:35:30
Scoopers from Canada
I was wondering if I could obtian the e-mail addresses of other scoopers from Canada so that I could get ideas, in particular, legislations regarding the disposal of the poop. I have found that it is illegal to get rid of it unless I purchase a very expensive septic waste tank that I wouldn't know where to store anyway. Where do others start out without illegally dumping the waste? I have been trying to obtain a business license, but can't until we determine a method for disposal.
Thanks
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 09-May-00 17:29:08
Re: Scoopers from Canada
I too would like to read that kind of info. I know it maybe different for each province. I'm in Ontario,so I'd be more interested in someone from there.But its nice to hear from other canadians on this new adventure.
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 10-May-00 23:09:23
Re: Scoopers from Canada
You might look into taking it to a sewage treatment facility, and get an account much like the port-a-potties do. Another idea is to Compost it...I have some information on that, that someone in our State Dept. of Health sent me.
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 06-May-00 23:22:55
Liability, and LISTING INGREDIENTS
A few weeks ago I posted a message about making homemade biscuits and leaving them on the doorknob of my customer's homes with a note attached that said "The Scooperazzi was here! Attached is a small token of my appreciation for your business".
I FORGOT to say that I LIST ALL THE INGREDIENTS on that same slip of paper. I just got a ridiculously agitated email from someone who had seen the above message, and said that if he came home to some biscuits on the doorknob, and his $3000 apiece dogs got sick from my biscuits, he'd sue me.
Does anyone out there think he's right? Do you think I would be liable, and that HE would win in a court of law, when I have customers who could testify that the list of ingredients is attached to each and every bone? I think I would surely be acquitted in such a lawsuit.
Is anyone out there a "Limited Liability Corporation?"
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 15-May-00 17:57:13
Re: Liability, and LISTING INGREDIENTS
Sure, I would think you are liable to some extent. If he can demonstrate that the goodies you gave him to feed his dog made the dog sick, you are partially to blame. How much? Hard to say. I can tell you this. If I got sued for that, I'd want a judge to hear the case, not, not, NOT a jury.
Want a better answer? Try a legal website like www.lawyers.com and see if they will give you an answer.
Let us know what you find out.
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 17-May-00 01:58:28
Re: Liability, and LISTING INGREDIENTS
Hi Dinah!
I could see how you would be liable if you had the dogs in your care, fed them the biscuits and they got sick, however, if you just put them on the doorknob for the customer to decide whether or not to give the biscuits to the dogs, then I would think the liability would fall on him. I know I never gave my dog anything unless I knew what was in it (and she was a pound puppy! not even close to costing $3000, but very special just the same!) If he wouldn't want them to have it or if he doesn't want to risk his dogs getting sick, then just don't give it to them...it's plain old common sense!
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 17-May-00 14:28:01
Re: Liability, and LISTING INGREDIENTS
Do you believe every e-mail you get? Did he give an address or phone? $3000 dogs are pretty rare. Sounds like he was pulling your chain! There ARE nuts out there (why would anyone take the time and energy to CREATE a computer virus, for example?!?!) These jerks feed on FEAR. Laugh him off and move on. You've got a great idea and the MAJORITY of normal people will love it. Those that don't like the idea have the choice to throw it away if the risk is to high. Trust in your own product---do you feed it to your dog(s)? Are they sick? There you are...
Tricia
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 17-Jun-00 16:09:24
Re: Re: Liability, and LISTING INGREDIENTS
Every halloween our house (and actually the whole neighborhood) receives a special treat by a fellow neighbor.
One of our neighbors is a "higher-up" in Purina Farms (I'm not sure his title) but when his kids go door to door for candy---they pass out dog treats and cat treats to the familes who hand out candy to their kids.
I think its a cute idea and I cannot recall his treats having any "Ingrediants" listing. The bags, if memory serves me, looks like sample bags from a larger variety packaging that Purina Farms must use.
Anyway, I couldn't ever imagine suing them if my cat or dog became ill. You, like my neighbor, handed the treats (or left them) for the pet owner to dispense, or dispose of. I have a cat that has a urinary tract infection but the other cat and dog always eat the treats. To me, it would be my respons. to see if these treats were appropriate to my animal's diet.
However, being the world we live in today, it seems that there are types of people who look for reasons to complain, gripe, and even sue.
Christopher
p.s. I am not a laywer, but if you have 'some' but not 'all' ingrediants then to me that'd be a problem. I'd either list all or none of the ingredients. On another note, I wonder if he sues the lawn care service for the chemicals they put on his lawn...dogs have been known to eat grass too. Not to mention, if you take your pet to the petstore (as I do every week) I can't tell you how many employees hand treats to my dog.. Good luck.
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 07-May-00 02:25:26
Snow!Snow!Snow!
Hi there! I am determined to start a pooper scooper service in Alberta. However, I am a bit concerned about the winter. We get lots of snow and it sticks around from December to March at least. Does this mean I would be out of business for 4 months out of the year?
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 18-May-00 15:04:28
Re: Snow!Snow!Snow!
Hi Rebecca,
I lived in Juneau, Alaska for 8 years. The snow wouldn't be gone until MAY! But there was a REAL mess left behind and Spring Clean-up was an adventure!! Write to Petra in Manitoba ("Scooby Doo")---she deals with Spring Clean-up in a BIG way. email: scoopydoo@mb.sympatico.ca
If I were in your snowboots(!), I would use that 4 months to really advertise my services---and advertise for helpers. Then I would gear up and be ready because the first few weeks of "break-up" could mean enough income to cover the 4 months down time! Of course, a lot of these would be one-time jobs, but I would do something to encourage continuing service until the season shuts down again. (Also, if there are other, licensed, Poop Scoopers in your area, I would consider discussing the situation with them and work together to support and help each other by route referrals to save time and energy)
Tricia
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 22-May-00 11:42:37
Re: Snow!Snow!Snow!
You might not be out of business for the 4 months. It depends on how much snow you get, how often it snows, and how much melting takes place between snows.
Where I live, in the middle of Ohio, snow frequently melts away within a few days, so even though schedules get messed up, there is still all that scooping to do.
Even if the snow doesn't melt away, though, the dogs keep pooping on top of the snow. If there isn't a new snowfall then you can scoop up that poop and avoid the horrible accumulation of dog-waste that would otherwise occur during those months.
However, if the snow keeps falling every day or every couple of days all winter long, then yes, you may have to put the business on hold during that time.
Matthew Osborn