Pooches for the Planet

Clean Water, Clean Yards, Clean Shoes!

Pet waste is a significant source of nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria entering Sarasota Bay. Dog poop does not stay on the grass but gets washed down the stormdrains and delivered untreated to the closest waterway during rain events. It is estimated that more than 26 tons (52,000 pounds) of pet waste is deposited every day in Sarasota and Manatee County.

To address pet waste pollution the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program has teamed up with its sister program, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to bring the successful Pooches for the Planet pet waste pollution education program to the Sarasota Bay watershed.

• Download the PDF
• Join Pooches for the Planet on Facebook by clicking here.
• Get free Pooches for the Planet door hangers and rack cards (in English & Spanish) for your neighborhood distribution by contacting Yvette@SimplyGreen.biz or call (941) 981-9253. Logos, fact sheets, links and articles for community newsletters to share are also available.
• To watch a video about how pet waste pollutes our waterways visit www.stormwater.ucf.edu/research/petwaste

Fast Facts About Pet Waste

• An average-size dog dropping produces 3 billion fecal coliform bacteria.
• Research has shown that up to 95 percent of the fecal coliform found in urban stormwater comes from animals.
• Observations of people walking their pets in public areas show that men are less likely to pick up after their pets than women.
• A new national survey says that 38 percent of dog owners don’t clean up after their pets.

Five Reasons People DON’T Pick Up After Their Pets

1. Because it eventually goes away.
2. Just because it’s inconvenient.
3. I don’t have a bag.
4. Dog goes on the edge of my property where I don’t walk.
5. It’s in my yard where it doesn’t bother anyone.

Five Reasons People Pick Up After Their Pets

1. It’s the law and I don’t want to be fined.
2. Environmental reasons.
3. Hygiene and health reasons.
4. Neighborhood courtesy.
5. It’s just the right thing to do.

• Four out of ten U.S. households have a dog
• American’s 72 million dogs produce about 40,000 tons of pet waste every day according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Thank You to the sponsors of our Pooches for the Planet adoption kits!

Target Animal Health Center Ashton Animal Clinic Boneappetite Fetch! Pet Care Flint River Ranch Natural Pet Foods	Greencove Kennel Fur Nanny Professional Pet and House Sitters LLC Paws for Health Animal Rescue Coalition Paws Playground	Bayer Animal Health Care Sarasota Vet Center Frontline by Merial ShelterCare Microchip University of Central Florida Stormwater Academy

Other ways to help pets:

• Visit http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com every day and click to feed a shelter animal for free!

Local animal shelters appreciate the following donations:

• blankets
• sheets
• pet toys
• pet treats
• towels
• volunteers
• good homes for shelter animals

Donations can be dropped off at the local shelter. Contact your local shelter for more information.

• Manatee County Animal Services
• Humane Society of Manatee County
• Sarasota County Animal Services
• Humane Society of Sarasota County
• Bishop Animal Shelter

For information about non-toxic flea control download the PDF here