SANTA CLARITA, Calif., March 27, 2008 — The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (aPaws) was founded in February 2002 by a group of professional pooper-scoopers who believe that every dog should have its day. In recognition of a growing problem in our communities, aPaws has established a special week of educating pet owners on the importance of cleaning up after their dogs.
The attraction of flies, gnats, and bad smells can be a neighborhood nuisance if yards are not maintained. Some property management companies and condo associations are seeing the benefit of using a professional pooper-scooper service to maintain their common areas. For some dog owners finding a workable solution has been either to clean it up or to ignore it completely. Hopefully, that doesn't describe your neighbor. These days health-conscious dog owners are paying more attention to their dogs' living environment and taking more of a proactive approach in dealing with the dog poop left on the ground.
According to American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), there are 74.8 million dogs in the U.S., which equates to nearly 45 million households owning at least one dog. As the dog-count within the U.S. rises more dog owners are looking for a simple solution to an already mounting problem (Source: . aPaws provides that solution. The non-profit organization's website, http://www.apaws.org, provides a directory of member pooper-scooper companies in different states who can help any dog owner who may be looking for a workable solution to keeping their yards cleared of dog poop.
v Armed with spade or rake in hand they visit once, twice, even three times a week or more cleaning up those mounds of "calling cards" our dogs leave on the ground. Reasonable rates range from $10.00 or more for one dog, once-a-week clean-up service. Some companies offer cat box clean-up for women who are pregnant and under strict orders from their doctors to reduce the risk of exposure to toxoplasmosis, which can be found in cat litter. Yet other companies provide dog-walking, pet-sitting, or goose poop clean-up. All aPaws' members adhere to a strict code of conduct in the handling and care of animals.
A number of common parasites, including round worm, are transmitted via dog feces, and The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists wants to remind all dog owners to do their part during the International Scoop the Poop Week by taking the time and care to make sure their pets' environments are kept cleared of potentially fatal health threats.
To learn more about aPaws and some of the diseases related to dog feces or to find a professional pooper scooper near you, please visit our website: http://www.apaws.org.
Contact:
Timothy Stone
Co-founder – aPaws
P.O. Box 2325
Santa Clarita, CA 91386
800 787-7667
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