Join the PUP Campaign and get free pet goodies

The City of Columbus wants to help safeguard the city’s clean water by rewarding you for picking up your dog’s poop with the PUP Campaign.

PUPing (picking up poop) is the law in Columbus, but it also prevents dog poo and the bacteria in it from washing into the wastewater system, streams, and reservoirs.

Take the PUP Pledge today and get a PUP bandanna or PUP biodegradable bags, while supplies last; one per household if you haven’t previously signed up.

Pick up your dog’s poop whether you’re out on a walk, or in the backyard. Not only is it bad for our water to leave it sit on the ground, it contains lots of harmful bacteria. Here’s some more information from the PUP campaign.

Is dog poop really that dangerous?

Yes! Pet wastes can transmit bacteria and viruses including tapeworm, roundworm, E. coli, Parvo, and more. Humans who come into contact with dog waste could become ill.

Animal waste can also attract rodents and the parasites they harbor. Pick up animal waste to keep your family healthy.

How do you know the water quality issues are caused by pets and not something else?

– In 1993, the US EPA reported that 95% of fecal coliform found in urban stormwater was of non-human origin (Alderiso et al., 1996 and Trial et al., 1993).

– In addition, studies in Seattle, Washington, found that nearly 20% of the bacteria isolates researchers could match with a host animal were matched with dogs.

– Wildlife, like deer and coyotes, don’t need picked up after because they are spread out over the land and not concentrated in certain areas like our pets.