Be A Pooper Scooper...
Pick up after your pet!

Tips for you & your neighbors
to help keep our area waterways from pet waste pollution.

 Go to: Pet Friendly Parks

 

• Stormwater carries pet waste and other pollutants directly into area waterways.

• Animal waste adds nitrogen to the water.  Excess nitrogen depletes the oxygen in the water that is necessary for underwater life.

• Animal waste contains harmful organisms such as that can be transmitted to other animals and humans.

• Roundworms and hookworms deposited by infected animals can live in the soil for long periods of time and can be transmitted to other animals.

• It's the law! Be a good citizen and follow your community's Pooper Scooper regulations.

• No one likes to step in pet waste and spread it into their home, car or business.

• It's easy!  Carry a plastic bag to pick up after your pet.  Dispose of used bags in the trash.

• Your neighbors will appreciate your good manners.

Pet Waste Information (Click here for the flyer>>)

Recent studies have shown that pet waste is a significant contributor to bacterial contamination in area waterways after a storm. Stormwater carries litter, pet waste and other pollutants directly into area streams, rivers and bays. Stormwater does not receive any treatment prior to discharging into these waterways. Storm drains are designed to carry stormwater only, but ultimately, they carry whatever we leave on the land.

Fast Facts
Pet waste contains bacteria and parasites. Diseases that can be spread from pet waste include --

• Campylobacteriosis (a bacterial infection causing diarrhea in humans)

• Salmonellosis (the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans from animals -- symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea)

• Toxocarisis (roundworms transmitted from animals to humans. Symptoms include vision loss, rash, fever, or cough).

Pet waste degrades water quality, by contributing excess nutrients, leading to cloudy, green water from accelerated algae and weed growth, objectionable odors, and dead fish and other organisms. Specific local studies have shown that up to one fourth of the fecal coliform in the polluted Lynnhaven River is from pet waste. Think about it, where there is a high concentration of people, there are typically high concentrations of pets.

In addition to odors, flies and other pest insects can also increase when pet waste is disposed of improperly, becoming a nuisance and adding another vector for disease transmission.
 

What can you do to help?
Please dispose of pet waste properly. Pet waste belongs in a trash can. When walking your dog, bring something with you to pick up after your pet.

Please be a responsible pet owner and pick up after your pet!
In Hampton Roads, it’s the law.
 

Pet Friendly Parks

Locality	Park Information
Chesapeake	Contact the City Park Department at (757) 382-6411.
Hampton	Information available at (757) 727-8311 or website www.Hampton.gov\parks
Newport News	Contact the City Park Department at (757) 886-7912 to learn more about Fido Fields, the new pet park at Riverview Farm Park.
Norfolk	Contact the City Park Department at (757) 441-2400.
Portsmouth	Contact the City Park Department at (757) 393-8085.
Williamsburg	Contact City Parks & Rec. Department (757) 259-3760 to learn more about Waller Mill Dog Park.
York County	Contact the County Park Department at (757) 890-3500.

More "Scoop the Poop" information can be found at the Virginia Beach, VA SPCA website. (http://www.vbspca.com)

Related:

• What is Stormwater?
• Why is Stormwater Management Important?
• How Can I Help?

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