Keeping pet waste off the ground is an important responsibility held by all pet owners. If not addressed, the presence of unattended to waste can quickly become a major point of conflict amongst neighbors. In fact, it happens to be the single-most talked about problem in homeowner association and community manager board meetings across the country, and one of our most commonly received complaints in Cinco Ranch II.

 

When taking your dog for a walk, always keep a couple waste pickup bags with you. Even if you don’t expect Fido to go, you never know. It may also be that you bump into a neighbor who has forgotten a bag of his or her own and will appreciate the gesture.  Additionally, there are a number of pet waste stations located throughout the community where you can dispose of pet waste.

If you forget a bag and your dog does do his business, don’t forget about the waste, too. Head home for a bag, then go back and pick it up, OR, the pet waste stations conveniently located throughout the community are normally stocked with bags in case you forgot one.

So what’s the big deal?  Keeping pet waste waste off the ground is not just about being considerate to your neighbors and our common areas – it’s also about protecting the environment, your family and the community as a whole.

 

Dog waste is more than just a gross and unsightly mess. In 1991, it was labeled a non-point source pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), placing it in the same category as herbicides and insecticides.  Unattended pet waste can also harm your health. While many of us don’t realize it, dog waste often carries bacteria, worms and other parasites that can be transmitted directly to humans and make them very ill. Ringworm, roundworm, salmonella and giardia are examples of such bacteria, all of which are found in dog feces and are easily transferable upon contact. Roundworm, for example, is one of the most common parasites found in dog droppings, and it can remain infectious in contaminated soil and water for years.

 

Did you know that you can hire someone to come and pick up pet waste in your own yard?  Many services exist in the Katy area that perform pet waste removal services.  If you Google, “pooper scooper for hire in Katy TX,” you’ll find a long list of reputable businesses that do exactly – scoop the poop in your yard.  If you have a pet that regularly uses your yard, we recommend researching and considering these types of services if at times you find that you are unable to find the time to clean up the pet waste in your yard.