Glenn Diggs, owner of Pooh Dooty,
poses with the tools of the trade. For a fee, Diggs will come and
clean up clientsą yards of the dog waste. Diggs says he doesnąt
mind the unpleasant smells that are associated with his
pooper-scooper service.
With the slogan "Roses are red, pooh is brown, if you own a dog,
it's on the ground," the newest and possibly most original business
in town is "picking up."
Glenn and Sandy Diggs of Linda own Pooh Dooty, a local
pooper-scooper service. The couple travel to clients' homes and rid
yards of dog feces.
"When people first hear about the dog waste removal service
business, they often react with fits of laughter, doubt or
amazement," Glenn Diggs said.
Though he is just starting the business, Diggs has no doubt he'll
be able to do a good job.
The idea came to him when he and a friend were discussing the
possibility of going into business for themselves and trying to
determine viable markets available.
"It's a funny topic, but a co-worker of mine went on the Internet
and found tons of information on it," Diggs said of the enterprise.
There are more than 400 other pooper-scooper services nationwide,
according to Diggs, who says the idea apparently caught on in the
mid-'70s. From there, it was a bunch of pooh puns and anecdotes that
helped inspire him.
"I started talking to friends about it, and yeah, they were
laughing, but I found that it's a viable business for this area."
Diggs said he isn't concerned about the unpleasant smells that
come with the territory. He loves dogs and has two of his own - a
boxer named Mugsy and Ana, a shepherd/collie mix.
"It doesn't bother me, I've loved dogs all my life," he said.
"The pungency factor is actually one of the top three reasons people
hire one of these services."
Diggs said his startup costs were minuscule.
"Costs are very, very inexpensive to start - literally, all you
need is transportation, a bucket or a commercial dustpan on a stick,
plastic bags and either a small rake or shovel," he said. "It cost
probably less than $100."
He provides free estimates and said basic prices are based on how
many dogs someone has as well as how many times a week the service
is required.
"An average yard should take no longer than 15 minutes to sweep
through and de-mine," he said. "The average price ... is $8 for one
dog and $4 each additional dog for once a week."
Diggs also will offer a bonus for an organization or group, such
as a church or dog-grooming service, that refers a customer to his
service.
"Each time someone comes to us as a referral (from an
organization or group), we will send 10 percent (of the referred
client's service fee) to that organization for six months," he said.
While making light of the subject, Diggs said he remains serious
about the hazards animal feces pose.
"Roundworms can develop within a couple of weeks and can live
from months to years on your property," he said. "It really is a
hazardous material and has to be handled as such. I plan on wearing
rubber galoshes or boots, and I'll be wearing gloves."
Business plans include creating a mascot, most likely a "Deputy
Dog" that will help promote the business with its image on hats,
T-shirts and the like.
Diggs said he and his wife have made a solemn vow to never
mistreat animals and to report any mistreatment of animals they
observe. They also disinfect all tools before moving from one job to
the next so as to not spread any contamination or disease.
But still, Diggs is quick to joke about the nature of the
business.
"You have to have a sense of humor in this line of work," he
said.
Diggs plans to continue working as an independent consultant with
Western Services Group.
To make an appointment for an estimate or for more information,
call 743-2099 or 743-POOP.
