Fairfield Apts Top Ten Scoops on Cleaning Up After Your Dog

We love the fact that we are a pet friendly community. Every responsible dog owner agrees that picking up after your dog is a must. No matter where or when it occurs, there is no excuse for not scooping the poop. So here are ten reasons why every dog owner must be responsible for picking up every time.

1. Yes, It's the law.   Just like littering, it's unlawful not to pick up after your dog.  A pet owners violation is subject to fine. Orchard Crossing Apartments strongly supports tough fines against people who do not pick up after their dogs. 

2. It's common courtesy.  Cleaning up after your dog shows respect for our neighbors, children that play, and our community. Never leave your a mess for others to look at, step in or clean up.

3. Poop is unhealthy.   Abandoned dog poop can host diseases and/or parasites which can infect other dogs who come into contact with it, or be transmitted to people who accidentally step in it and track it home. Particularly at risk, of course, are children who play on the ground. Disposing of dog poop immediately helps all dogs stay healthier and reduces feces-borne parasites and illnesses.

 4. If your dog has diarrhea, and you cannot clean it up, you should not allow your dog to defecate in places where pets or children may come in contact with it. If your dog has prolonged diarrhea (more than two days), please take her to the vet.  All dogs should have a stool sample tested by a veterinarian annually. Vets recommend pets that frequent places that are visited by many different pets should have their stool tested twice a year.

5. Poop bio-degrades very slowly.   Some folks think it's okay to leave feces because it will break down naturally. However, the biodegrading process is very slow; especially in places where the dog population is high. But abandoned dog poop can accumulate faster over time than it breaks down. In the cold weather, it hardens and will remain where you left it for several weeks to several months!

6. No,  it's not fertilizer.  In fact, poop impedes apt landscaping efforts. Leaving  poop encourages other dogs to mark that spot (by urinating over the previous dog's scent): poop left on the grass contributes to the problem of ‘nitrogen burn’.

7. Dog Poop actually pollutes the water.  Feces; like any feces, contains high levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, which actually pollute the water. These ingredients deplete oxygen in the water making it hard for plants and fish to live and grow.

8. Feces tops the list of complaints against dogs. More than aggression, nuisance barking or lack of supervision, most complaints against pets are about owners not cleaning up after their dogs.

9. Poop makes dog owners look bad.  For everyone who cares about options for off-leash recreation and leisure walks with our dogs in Fairfield knows the worst thing about poop is that it is bad for public relations. Feces is the number one reason for negative public sentiment against our pooches. Every time you don't pick up after your dog, you are giving one more reason for others to dislike pets and their owners.

We have Pet Waste Post for your convenience!

10. Your actions set an example for others here at Orchard Crossing Apartments.  When you pick up after your dog, you are part of the solution. Your actions will help convey the message that it's the right thing to do. Many people even carry extra bags to offer to others as a subtle and neighborly hint that cleaning up after our dogs is what responsible owners do, as well as it being the law.

Fines at any Fairfield apt will always be enforced for the safety, serenity and quality living in our community.

Join our pet friendly community by mentioning "Barbra Stephens" referred you & you could have cash coming your way!