Let's Talk About Dog Poop (Seriously)

Look, I get it. When you tell people you're thinking about starting a pooper scooper business, you get some looks. Your buddy from college might laugh. Your mom might ask "is that even a real job?"

But here's the thing nobody talks about: there are people making $80,000, $100,000, even $200,000+ a year scooping dog poop. Not as a joke. As their actual business.

I've spent years in this industry, talked to hundreds of pet waste removal business owners, and helped build software specifically for this niche. So let me break down exactly how this business works — the real numbers, the actual challenges, and what it takes to make it work.

No corporate fluff. Just the stuff I wish someone had told me from the start.

Why This Business Actually Makes Sense

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why. Because if you're gonna tell your spouse you want to start a poop business, you better have some solid reasons.

The Math Is Stupid Simple

Here's a basic scenario:

You charge $20 per visit for weekly service. That's pretty standard for a medium-sized yard with 1-2 dogs.

One customer = $20/week = $80/month = $960/year

Get 50 customers? That's $4,000/month. 100 customers? $8,000/month.

And here's the kicker — once someone signs up for weekly service, they almost never cancel. Dogs keep pooping. Yards keep needing cleaning. It's the definition of recurring revenue.

I know guys who've had the same customers for 8+ years. Try getting that kind of retention selling literally anything else.

The Startup Costs Are Laughably Low

You know what it costs to open a restaurant? $275,000 on average. A franchise? Often $500,000+.

You know what it costs to start a pooper scooper business? Like, $300-500. Maybe $1,000 if you go all out on equipment.

We're talking about one of the lowest-barrier-to-entry businesses that can actually generate real income. No special degrees. No certifications. No massive loans.

Dogs Aren't Going Anywhere

There are about 65 million dog-owning households in the US. That number has grown every single year for the past two decades. During COVID, it jumped even more.

And here's the thing about dog owners — they love their dogs, but most of them HATE dealing with the backyard. It smells. It's gross. Nobody wants to do it on a Saturday morning.

That's where you come in.

What You Actually Need to Start

Let me walk you through the real equipment list — not the theoretical stuff, but what actually works in the field.

The Scooping Tools

Your main scooper: Get a commercial-grade yellow dust bucket from Home Depot or Lowes or any hardware store. The plastic ones from Petco break within a month. You want something like the Quikee Construction Dust pan. Budget $40-60 for a good one.

Backup scooper: Trust me, buy two. When your main one breaks (and it will, eventually), you don't want to be stuck mid-route with no tools.

Small hand scooper: For tight spaces, bushes, and corners. A small garden trowel works fine. $8-10.

Disposal Bags

Contractor trash bags: 13 gallon trashbags work great (yes the same ones people use in their kitchen). Just make sure they aren't cheap or you'll be sorry.

Scented bags (optional): Some people like the scented ones. Personally, I think they just make it smell like flowers AND poop, which is somehow worse.

Protective Gear

Gloves: Nitrile gloves work great. Buy them in bulk — you'll go through a lot.

Shoe covers or dedicated work shoes: Some people use disposable shoe covers. I prefer just having a dedicated pair of work boots that never enter my house.

Hand sanitizer: The good stuff. Keep a big bottle in your car.

Nice-to-Haves (But Not Required)

Deodorizing spray: For the yard after you're done. Customers love this touch.

Business cards and door hangers: Essential for marketing, but you can order these after your first week.

Uniform or branded shirt: Makes you look professional. Even just a clean polo with your logo works.

Total startup cost: $300-500 realistically

Your Vehicle Situation

Here's the honest truth: you don't need a truck. I know plenty of successful operators who use a Honda Accord, a Prius, or a basic SUV.

What matters is:

It's reliable: You'll be driving 50-100+ miles on a busy day. Breakdowns kill your business.

It has room for your stuff: Buckets, scooper, bags, cleaning supplies. Doesn't take much space.

It doesn't look sketchy: You're going into people's backyards. A reasonably clean, presentable car matters.

Some people eventually upgrade to a van or truck with their logo on the side. That's great for marketing, but it's not a day-one requirement. Start with what you have.

One thing I will say — if you have a nice car with leather seats, maybe throw down a tarp or plastic liner in the trunk area. Just in case. You'll thank me later.

Let's Talk About Money: Real Pricing Strategies

This is where I see people mess up the most. Either they underprice and work themselves to death, or they overprice and can't get customers.

Here's how to think about it:

Understand Your Market First

Pricing varies by location. In a wealthy suburb of Dallas or San Diego, you might charge $25-35 per visit. In a smaller Midwest town, maybe $12-18 is the norm.

Check what competitors in your area charge (Google "pet waste removal [your city]")
Look at local Facebook groups where people discuss services
Consider the average household income in your target neighborhoods

Yard Size Caveat: Some areas have yards that are acres and acres, meaning you might spend an hour gridding the yard. Not a good look for simple pricing. I don't bill based on yard size but that's because MOST yards in my area are relatively similar. Use pricing below with caution.

My Recommended Pricing Framework

1 dog: $99/month
Additional dogs: $10-$20 each per month

Add 30-50% to weekly prices
So if weekly is $20, bi-weekly is $26-30
This compensates for more waste accumulation

These are your bread and butter early on
Charge $99-$249+ depending on yard size and how long it's been
For severe cases ("we haven't cleaned in 6 months"), charge by the hour: $50-75/hour

The "Initial Cleanup" Fee

Here's a pro tip that took me way too long to figure out: charge an initial cleanup fee for new weekly customers.

Personally, I offer the first bag free to reward customers who keep up with the crap, and get my worth from the clients who have forgotten about the yard for years.

When someone signs up for weekly service, their yard is usually a mess. You're not just doing one week's worth of waste — you're doing weeks or months of buildup.

I recommend a first bag free, additional bags at $20/bag collected. And bucko, really fill them. Don't skimp.

The main issue you'll run into here is the variation in waste size. Years of chihuahua poop in rocks, is far worse than years of pitt bull poop in dirt. Just be prepared.

Don't Race to the Bottom

I've seen this kill so many businesses. Someone starts charging $10 per visit to "get customers fast." Then they realize they're working 40 hours a week and barely making minimum wage.

You're not competing on price. You're competing on reliability, professionalism, and convenience. Charge what you're worth.

If someone balks at $20/week, they're probably not your ideal customer anyway. The right customers happily pay for a service that saves them time and grossness.

Getting Your First 10 Customers

Okay, you've got your equipment, you've set your prices. Now comes the hard part: actually getting people to pay you.

Here's what works, in order of effectiveness:

1. Door Hangers in the Right Neighborhoods

This is old school but it works. Here's the key: target the right areas.

Neighborhoods with fenced backyards (obvious dog infrastructure)
Areas where you see dog walkers in the morning
Middle to upper-middle class areas (they have disposable income)
Homes with "Beware of Dog" signs (duh)
Dog bumper stickers
Paw prints on street number curbs

Your business name and logo
A clear headline: "Tired of cleaning up after your dog?"
Your pricing (or "Starting at $X/week")
Phone number and website
Maybe a first-time discount: "20% off your first month"

Hang 500-1000 of these and you should get 5-15 calls. That's your first batch of leads. It was how I got my first lead. Then I realized it's kind of a waste of time, money, and leverage and moved on to the solution below.

2. Facebook and Nextdoor

"[Your Town] Community"
"Pets of [Your Town]"
Local buy/sell/trade groups
Neighborhood groups

Post something genuine, not salesy:

"Hey everyone! I just started a pet waste removal service here in [Town]. If anyone hates cleaning up their backyard as much as I hate doing mine, I'd love to help out. Happy to answer any questions!"

Nextdoor is even better because it's hyper-local. Same approach.

3. Google Business Profile (This Is Huge)

Set up a free Google Business Profile immediately. This is how you show up when someone searches "pooper scooper service near me."

Photos of you working (or just your equipment/vehicle)
Service area
Hours
Description with keywords
Get reviews as soon as you have customers

This is a slow burn but incredibly valuable long-term.

Keep in mind it will ask for an address, so getting a virtual mailbox through a site like iPostal1 for a few bucks can prevent you from having to use your personal address (don't do that).

4. Talk to Everyone

Seriously. Tell everyone you know that you started this business. Your neighbor, your barber, the guy at the dog park, your kid's friend's parents.

"Oh, you have a dog? I just started a pet waste removal service if you ever need help with the backyard."

It feels awkward at first. Do it anyway. Some of your best early customers will come from personal connections.

5. Partner with Pet Businesses

Dog groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers, veterinarians, pet supply stores — these people are constantly interacting with dog owners.

Introduce yourself. Leave some business cards. Offer them a referral fee ($10-20 for each customer they send you).

Most pet businesses are happy to recommend complementary services.

The Day-to-Day: What Actually Running Routes Looks Like

Let's get practical about what a typical day looks like once you're rolling.

A Sample Route Day

6:30 AM: Wake up, check schedule, load equipment in car

7:00 AM: Start first stop. Most customers want service done while they're at work, so morning starts are common.

7:15 AM - 12:00 PM: Work through your route. Depending on how tight your area is, you might do 15-25 yards.

12:00 PM: Lunch break. You earned it.

12:45 PM - 3:00 PM: Afternoon stops, maybe a one-time cleanup you scheduled

3:30 PM: Head home. Dispose of waste (more on this in a sec). Clean equipment.

4:30 PM: Done for the day. Handle customer texts/calls, update schedule for tomorrow.

How Long Does Each Yard Take?

Small yard: 5-8 minutes
Medium yard: 8-12 minutes
Large yard: 12-20 minutes
Disaster yard (one-time cleanup): 30-60+ minutes

At first, you'll be slower. That's fine. You'll get faster. You just need practice.

Waste Disposal

This is the question nobody wants to ask. Where does all the poop go?

Here's the answer: Where it would go anyway; the clients' trash can.

Option 1: Your regular trash In most areas, this is totally legal. Dog waste goes in a sealed bag (we double bag for the clients sake), into the regular garbage bin. Check your local regulations to be sure. This is the simplest solution and will prevent you from hauling and sniffing poop all day.

Option 2: Commercial dumpster Some operators arrange with a local business (car wash, gas station) to use their dumpster for a small monthly fee.

Option 3: Transfer station or dump If you're doing major volume, you might do a weekly trip to the local transfer station.

What NOT to do: Don't dump it anywhere illegally. Don't bag it and leave it on someone's curb. You will get caught and it will end badly.

Common Mistakes I've Seen (And How to Avoid Them)

After years in this industry, I've seen a lot of people fail. Usually for preventable reasons.

Mistake #1: Underpricing

I beat this horse already, but it's that important. Charging $8 per yard to "get started" just means you're building a business that won't sustain you. Start at real prices.

Mistake #2: No Service Agreement

What services you provide
Payment terms (when payment is due, what happens if they don't pay)
Liability limitations
How to cancel

You can find templates online. Don't operate without one.

Mistake #3: Ignoring the Back-Office Stuff

Customer calls you to reschedule. You say "sure" and forget to write it down. You show up on the wrong day. Customer is annoyed.

A calendar (Google Calendar works fine to start)
A customer list with contact info and service details
A way to track who owes you money

Spreadsheets work at first. But once you hit 30-40 customers, you'll want actual software. (Shameless plug: that's literally why we built Scoopify.)

Mistake #4: No Insurance

General liability insurance for this business costs $300-600 per year. Get it.

Imagine you slip on a customer's wet deck, fall, and hurt yourself. Or your bucket tips over in their yard and stains their patio. Or a million other things that could happen.

Insurance protects you. It also makes you look more professional when customers ask.

Mistake #5: Stopping Marketing When You're Busy

This is human nature but it's dangerous. You get 30 customers and you're slammed, so you stop marketing.

Then 6 months later, 5 customers have moved away, 3 canceled for various reasons, and suddenly you're scrambling again.

Marketing should be consistent. Even just a little bit every week.

Mistake #6: Not Having a Dedicated Phone Number

Don't put your personal info out there. Keep work and business separate with a phone number. When I started, I used a free Google Voice number and it worked great. Just know that when something is free, you are the product, so stay cautious.

Scaling: What Happens When You Outgrow Yourself

Let's say things are going well. You've got 80 customers, you're making good money, but you're also working 50 hours a week and you're exhausted.

Now comes the decision: stay solo, or grow.

The Solo Operator Path

Nothing wrong with this. Some people deliberately cap their customer count at whatever lets them work reasonable hours and make the income they want.

If you're making $60-80K working 35-40 hours a week, that's a great living. Not everyone wants employees and headaches.

The Growth Path

If you want to scale, here's generally how it goes:

First hire: Part-time helper. Usually $15-20/hour to start. You train them, ride along for a week or two, then gradually let them handle routes independently.

The leap: You realize you can double your customer base if you have help. You hire another person. Maybe go from 80 customers to 150-200.

Middle stage: 3-5 employees, 200-400 customers. You're now more manager than scooper. You handle sales, scheduling, customer service. Your team handles the fieldwork.

Big operators: Some companies get to 10, 20, even 50+ employees. Multiple trucks. Serving an entire metro area or multiple cities.

The people I know who've scaled successfully all say the same thing: systems matter more than hustle. You need processes. Training. Accountability. Software that actually works for this industry.

And that last part — software — is a whole thing. Most field service software (Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan) is built for general contractors or HVAC companies. It's expensive and clunky for small route-based businesses like pet waste removal.

That frustration is actually why Scoopify (our super slick poop scooping software) exists. But I digress.

Your 30-Day Launch Plan

Let's wrap this up with a concrete action plan. What to do in your first month.

Week 1: Foundations

Pick a business name and check if it's available
Register as an LLC or sole proprietor (depends on your state)
Order your basic equipment — scooper, buckets, bags, gloves
Set up a business bank account
Write your service agreement (use a template)

Week 2: Marketing Prep

Design a simple logo (Canva works, or hire someone on Fiverr for $30)
Order door hangers and business cards
Set up a Google Business Profile
Create a simple website or landing page (even just a single page with your info)
Join local Facebook and Nextdoor groups

Week 3: Get Out There

Distribute 500+ door hangers in target neighborhoods
Post in local Facebook groups
Tell literally everyone you know
Visit 5-10 pet businesses to introduce yourself
Get your insurance lined up

Week 4: First Customers

Follow up on every lead immediately
Schedule and complete your first services
After each service, ask for a Google review
Track everything in a spreadsheet or basic system
Tweak your pricing if needed based on feedback

By the end of month one, you should realistically have 5-15 customers. Some people do better, some do worse. The point is to start getting reps, learning what works in your market, and building momentum.

Wrapping Up

Look, starting a pooper scooper business isn't glamorous. People will make jokes. You'll have rough days where it's raining and you're cold and you're ankle-deep in someone's neglected backyard.

But the fundamentals are solid: low startup costs, recurring revenue, high demand, and a service people genuinely value.

I've seen people go from zero to $100K+ in revenue within 2-3 years. I've seen people build this into their full-time income while having flexibility they never had in a 9-5. I've seen folks sell their pet waste businesses for real money.

It's real. It works. But you have to actually start.

So — are you gonna do this or what?

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P.S. — If you do start and you're looking for software that doesn't suck, that's literally why we built Scoopify. Route optimization, customer management, automated billing, mobile app for the field. All built for pet waste removal, not retrofitted from some general contractor tool. Check us out when you're ready to ditch the spreadsheets.