Save the Planet by Picking Up Your Dog’s Poop

Every April, Earth Day reminds us of the small choices we can make that have a big impact on our planet—and picking up after your dog is one of them.

If you’re a dog owner, you probably already know the daily routine: leash, walk, sniff, squat... poop. It’s easy to think that leaving your dog’s waste behind might not matter, especially if it's off the beaten path. But that small pile can add up to big problems for the environment, local water systems, and even our health.

Why Picking Up Dog Poop Matters

Dog waste isn’t fertilizer. In fact, it’s classified as a pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When left on the ground, rainwater can wash dog waste into storm drains, which lead directly into local streams, rivers, and lakes—untreated. That means harmful bacteria and parasites like E. coli, Salmonella, and Giardia can end up in our waterways, threatening aquatic life and contaminating the water we drink and swim in.

It’s not just nature that suffers.

It Poses Health Risks to Everyone

Dog poop might seem harmless at a glance, but it’s actually teeming with harmful organisms. Just one gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal bacteria, many of which are dangerous to humans and animals alike.

Here are some of the most common threats lurking in dog waste:

• E. coli & Salmonella – These bacteria can cause serious stomach issues in both people and pets and may spread around the home.
   

• Giardia – A tough-to-eliminate parasite that spreads through contaminated water or soil, causing diarrhea in humans and animals.
   

• Roundworms & Hookworms – These parasites can linger in the soil for months and infect people (especially kids) through accidental contact or skin penetration.
   

• Parvovirus – A highly contagious virus that spreads through feces and can be deadly for unvaccinated puppies.
   

When dog waste is left behind, it doesn’t just smell bad—it becomes a serious health hazard. Whether it’s in your backyard or at the park, skipping the scoop means exposing your community to illness.
 

The Poop Math Doesn’t Lie

Let’s talk numbers. The average dog poops about ¾ of a pound per day. That might not sound like much, but over the course of a year, it adds up to about 274 pounds of poop per dog. Multiply that by the estimated 89 million pet dogs in the U.S., and you’re looking at over 24 billion pounds of dog waste per year.

Imagine all of that sitting in yards, parks, and sidewalks—or worse, washing into local waterways. Yikes.

Scoop the Poop. Save the Planet.

This Earth Day, commit to being a responsible pet owner. Whether you grab the bag yourself or hire a professional pet waste removal service like DoodyCalls, keeping your yard clean is one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do for your community and the environment.