Pet waste pollutes our yards, neighborhoods and waterways.
In your yard:
- Dog waste is not fertilizer. It’s high in protein and is actually bad for your yard and plants.
- Rain washes its harmful bacteria into streams—even when it’s left in your yard.
In your neighborhood:
- Dog waste attracts rats.
- There are 23 million harmful bacteria in every gram of pet waste, plus parasites like roundworm that can sicken children and pets.
In our waterways:
- Pet waste is a major source of water pollution that can make swimmers, boaters and pets sick.
- Dog waste has more bacteria than wildlife scat (like deer and geese) because dogs’ diets contain animal products that promote bacterial growth.
A Simple Solution
Follow these steps to be a protector, not a polluter:
- Plan
Always take plastic bags with you.
- Pick Up
Use the bags on your hand like a glove.
- Pitch It
Properly dispose of the waste in a trash can. Never toss pet waste in a storm drain.
Complete the Pet Waste Pledge
Pet waste is a serious problem for our waterways, causing bacterial pollution that can sicken pets and people, especially children. Complete the pledge.