Our Pet Waste Station Recommendations:
Pet waste stations in your community can have many benefits when it comes to controlling pet waste cleanliness. One of those benefits is that there will always be poop bags available for those forgetful dog owners. Even if they bring their own poop bags, who wants to carry them for the duration of the walk? Nobody! Wouldn’t it be great to have a pet waste station nearby to get rid of those full bags of poop? I’ll answer that for you…YES! When it comes to selecting a pet waste station for your community, there are several factors to consider.
Materials
Look for a pet waste station that is made of durable materials like aluminum, steel or heavy-duty plastic. These materials can withstand different weather conditions and are easier to clean. If you’re near the ocean where salt water can be present, consider the Dogipot brand item #1010 Polyethylene. If you’re in a more “wet” climate, then the aluminum station is for you. It won’t rust like the steel pet stations. However, if you want plain ol’ sturdy stations, then the all-steel pet station is for you.
Then there’s the Pet Valet like the Dogipot #1005-2 seen here. It’s a nifty all in one dog poop bag dispenser and trash can that has a low profile. They accept all standard size of rolled bags and are easy to clean and stands only 3 feet tall. They come in green, dark brown, black and sand beige to match any community décor.
Seen in many beach communities is the DoggieWalk brand dispenser shown here. (Right or below) This is the one that uses the tissue style bags we talked about in another post. Just like a box of Kleenex, when you pull one out, another one pops out for the next person. Way cool!
The Standard Pet Waste Station
A majority of communities, parks and municipalities use this type of pet station. It’s really quite basic, a rolled or flat pack poop bag dispenser, a trash receptacle and a sign. Did you know that there are several options to choose from? Do you want a square trash can? A round, mesh trash can? Or maybe the ultimate locking sealed chute style? This one has a small door to drop the waste bag in, but does not open far enough for people to empty their own trash in. And believe me, we run into that quite often where someone cleans out their car and puts all their fast food trash in the dog waste trash can.
Where to Install and How Many
Here’s the number one trade secret on how we determine how many stations to install: As many as you need! OK, that wasn’t too helpful. Seriously, our baseline is 1 station for every 50 residents. That number could be higher or lower depending on the location and the density of the community. Where to install is always a challenge. You don’t want it too close to residents, because then they may complain about the smell. On the other hand, you don’t want it to be too far off the beaten path, otherwise, no one will use them. Scoop Masters can help you determine installation locations.
Mounting Options
Consider the mounting options available for the pet waste station. Most stations can be mounted on a pole or a wall, with the pole being buried in the ground and cemented in place. Mounting in concrete is also an option but may cost more to install. You also have to consider what’s underground. Water pipes, sprinkler systems, electrical wires and cable TV lines have to be considered when determining a location. Choose the option that suits your community’s needs and available space.
Signage
Choose a pet waste station that includes clear signage about proper waste disposal and encourages responsible pet ownership. This will help educate community members and remind them of the importance of cleaning up after their pets.
Maintenance and Service
Scoop Masters offers service plans where we maintain the pet stations regularly. It can be once a week, twice a week or even 3 times a week. Replacing the poop bags and emptying the trash cans is only a part of what we do. We will also notify you when repairs are needed and we’ll even perform those repairs. This is a great additional service for busy or large communities with limited staff. After all, your maintenance staff has more pressing issues to attend to for your tenants or residents.
Remember to consider your community’s specific needs and budget when selecting a pet waste station. It’s also important to consult with your community members or actual homeowners who walk their dogs regularly. They will have the best insight for locations and needs. We here at Scoop Masters can help you with every stage of the process from planning, recommending stations that are in your budget, installation and regular maintenance. To request a quote, just click the button below!
Be sure to read part 2, all about poop bags. Enjoy!