Dirty Doody Services of Durango Colorado

Beyond your grass, it has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. EPA even estimates that two or three days’ worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing.

Dog feces are one of the most common carriers of the following diseases:

• Heartworms
• Whipworms
• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Parvo
• Corona
• Giardiasis
• Salmonellosis
• Cryptosporidiosis
• Campylobacteriosis

If you aren’t worried about the state of your local waterways, you may be a bit more concerned about the impact of dog waste a little closer to home. The thing about persistently disposing of stools improperly (or not at all) is that it kicks off a harmful cycle that can affect your whole family—including your pet.


According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pet droppings can contribute to diseases animals pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected dog poop is deposited on your lawn, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in your soil for years. Anyone who comes into contact with that soil—be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any other means—runs the risk of coming into contact with those eggs; especially your dog.

Some of the hard-to-pronounce parasites your lawn could harbor include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, as well as hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms. Infections from these bugs often cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. Children are most susceptible, since they often play in the dirt and put things in their mouths or eyes.

Remember, dog waste does not just go away over time, it's just like any other waste left from an animal.  It contains bacteria, germs, possible disease and infections that can harm you, your family and even our environment.  In Durango especially it's a huge concern with our river trail as everyone walks their dogs there but many will not pick up after them.

When it rains it's quickly and easily deposited into our Animas River polluting it and possibly our drinking water.  Do your "doody" and help your environment, your family and your community, call us and let us do our "doody"!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Dog Waste Removal Service Business:

• Is this for real!?

Yes it is! All over the country new dog waste removal services are being started and customers are sigining up! The pooper scooper business is one of the fastest growing businesses in the United States due to low startup costs, low overhead and high profits. Demographics and social trends point to an increasing demand for personal services for busy professionals and executives, single parent households, and people who simply have better things to do than scoop up after dogs.

• How much do you charge for this service?

Scoopers make excellent profits! Dirty Doody service rates average around around $11-$12 per customer per week, scoopers are earning $45-$60 per hour and more by cleaning 4-6 yards per hour!  This business is an awesome investment!

• What do you do with the waste you collect?

The best disposal method will vary according to local regulations and available facilities. Some scoopers place the waste into plastic bags and leave it in the customer's trash cans. Others share a trash bin with another small business or take the waste directly to a local landfill. Dirty Doody takes the waste off site (that way your trash can doesn't get used) and we dispose the waste in our own trash bin, this way the waste ends up in the local landfill where it is properly lined and does not cause groundwater contamination or other environmental hazards.
Check the rules in your area.

• How do you get customers?

Advertising in any way you can always is good, get your name and service out there, hang fliers at your local grocery store, including classified ads for your neighborhood weekly newspapers, designs business cards, fliers, voice mail scripts, vehicle signs and more that you can modify for your own use. Press releases are also a great way to get your services and name out into the public.  I even "accidentally" leave a Dirty Doody pen at the bank, store, where ever!

• How long does it take to clean a yard?

Some small yards or dog runs can be cleaned in just a few minutes. A first-time or one-time cleanup in a yard that hasn't been cleaned for a year or more could take an hour (which is why the "initial cleaning" is $12-$14 per quarter hour). I, personally average about 4-6 yards per hour over the course of week's work, including travel time.

• What kind of tools do you use?

Dirty Doody's technique is one that provides a very speedy, clean, easy way of scooping waste and disposing of it which is why we have some of the lowest rates out of ANY scooper business nation wide.  I'm not going to dispose of some of our company secrets here but set up for each yard is about 10 seconds and after cleaning waste, breaking down is about 5 seconds.

• What do you do in the winter?

Dirty Doody hibernated last winter due to owners choice, however the first three winters we did work through it.  On some occasions yes due to the weather you will not be able to work, however you do what you can to stay on top of the waste that way when spring comes your cleanings won't be as laborous.  If you miss a visit and can't get by with in a day or two you simply credit the customer for next month.

• Could you also clean apartments and condo grounds?

Absolutely! Most of our clients are residential however Dirty Doody clients also include commercial clients.  Pretty much any commercial business in Durango could use our service, especially if they sit along or near the river trail as people walking their dogs many times will not clean up after them.  Dirty Doody Services also provides small litter clean up in their price for commercial businesses as well so your business stays nice and clean from not only dog waste but trash too.

• Why would anyone pay you to clean up after dogs?

Busy dog-owners are delighted to pay someone to have this done! Many dog owners need a way to dispose pet waste that is both legal and practical. Uncollected dog feces is a significant contributor to ground water pollution. Uncleaned back yards stink, they annoy the neighbors and attract flies that lay their eggs on the feces and then move on which can contribute to diseases and sickness.

Help our community become a little bit cleaner and healthier!

• Is there really a market for this?

Yes! This is a new and rapidly expanding market. Some scooping service companies are cleaning more than 1,000 customers' yards every week. Professional pooper-scoopers now thriving in hundred of cities in the USA, Canada, and other countries. Some cities are supporting 2, 3, or even 4 or more dog waste removal services. With Durango's HUGE dog population, there is a HUGE potential market that is only beginning to be addressed!