You Don't Need a Bigger Budget to Build a Better Pet Waste Program

By Dave Jensen, CEO, CoPS on Doody · Commercial Pet Waste Station Service

Many communities may be able to improve their program with little or no additional budget.  They need a handful of small corrections. A station moved to where residents actually walk. A service frequency adjusted to match real usage instead of a years-old contract.

A seasonal cleanup timed to periods when common areas may need additional attention. Improvements like these change what residents experience without changing the line item. 

That's worth saying plainly during budget season, when every vendor conversation seems to end in "spend more." Sometimes the right recommendation is no additional spending this year, just smarter use of what's already funded.

Which improvements cost nothing at all?

Start with placement. Communities inherit station locations and rarely revisit them, yet walking patterns shift as a community ages, new residents, new pets, a trail that's become the de facto dog loop. Watch where residents actually walk, then move underperforming stations there. Review station placement based on current walking patterns and discuss any relocation needs with the service provider. 

Next, right-size the schedule. A frequency set years ago may be too low for today's busiest stations and too high for the quiet ones. Reviewing frequency against actual fill levels  station by station, not community-wide, is free, and it's the fastest way to stop paying for the wrong pattern.

Third, refresh what residents know. New residents never got the original station map. A simple update in the community newsletter or portal  where stations are and what's expected  can help keep residents informed about the program. 

What do seasonal cleanups fix that weekly service can't?

Seasonal conditions can create additional challenges for common areas, including periods of leaf fall or snowmelt. During periods of leaf fall, waste may be harder to spot along trails and wooded edges that routine station service doesn't cover. After winter, accumulated waste may also become more visible as conditions change.  

A scheduled common-area cleanup during periods when conditions warrant it can help address waste outside regular station service.  It's a modest, bounded add-on  not a bigger program  and can help communities address conditions outside the regular service scope. This is also where a gap usually becomes visible: if your current program has no answer for the off-station areas, that's a scope conversation, not a budget increase. Download the 10 Small Changes guide for the full seasonal checklist.

When does consolidation make sense?

If separate vendors handle pet waste stations and common-area trash cans, consolidating both under one provider can simplify the program: one point of contact, one service calendar, fewer crossed wires when something's missed. Every community is different, and consolidation should be evaluated on service fit first  but it can also bring potential cost efficiencies, since one crew is already on the property.

The test is practical: would one accountable vendor with a defined scope serve the property better than two partial ones? If yes, consolidation is an improvement you fund with the budget you already have.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we know which stations are in the wrong place?

Look for the mismatch: stations that are always full sit where residents walk; stations that are always empty don't. Pair that with complaint locations and a 20-minute property walk, and the relocation list writes itself.

Will our vendor push back on these changes?

Relocations, frequency adjustments, and seasonal cleanups can be appropriate scope conversations depending on the community's needs. If a vendor recommends additional services or spending, ask how the recommendation addresses the property's specific conditions and program goals. 

Doesn't "no new spending" conflict with vendor advice to expand?

It shouldn't. Program recommendations may involve maintaining the current budget, changing the configuration, or adding services depending on the community's needs. The key is to understand the reason behind each recommendation and how it supports the program's goals. 

Bottom Line

Before you ask the board for more, make sure the current budget is doing its best work: placement matched to walking patterns, frequency matched to usage, residents informed, and seasonal needs addressed. Better first. Bigger only if the assessment supports it.

Related reading:Assess your pet waste program before budget season · The seven elements every successful program has in common