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- Dog Poop Police Serving $500 Fines
Dog Poop Police Serving $500 Fines
DNA tracking is busting irresponsible dog owners
Collin Armstrong
February 19, 2025
In partnership with
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Issue #156
February 19th, 2025
Quick Hits:
The surge in pet adoption during the pandemic created an unexpected challenge for property managers and residential communities across the country: an unprecedented increase in dog waste management issues.
As more people welcomed furry companions into their homes during lockdown, the longstanding problem of irresponsible pet waste disposal reached new heights, prompting property managers to seek innovative solutions.
Enter PooPrints, a pioneering business that's transforming how communities handle the persistent challenge of unclaimed dog waste.
The company's approach is rooted in science using DNA testing to match abandoned pet waste with the responsible dogs (💩 poo-petrators as they call them) and their owners.
The process begins with a simple DNA sample collected via cheek swab from each registered dog in a community.
The company receives an avg of 300 poop samples a day!
Good thing they have a 21,000-sqft facility to operate out of because that is a lethal level of odor being emitted on a weekly basis.
When unauthorized waste is discovered, it can be tested against this database (which currently has registered +1M dogs), providing property managers with definitive evidence to enforce their cleanup policies.
The concept has proven particularly valuable for property managers and landlords seeking to maintain clean, healthy environments for their residents.
Communities using PooPrints have reported a 95% reduction in abandoned poop incidents
The system works through a combination of registration, testing, and enforcement. Property managers can implement mandatory DNA registration for all resident dogs, creating a comprehensive database that serves as a powerful deterrent against negligent behavior.
One of the most intriguing aspects of PooPrints' implementation is the phenomenon of "poop parties" - community-wide testing events that help establish baseline data and demonstrate the system's effectiveness.
We know the marketing team was pumped to present this headline
These events often reveal surprising patterns about pet waste distribution and compliance rates within communities.
The business model raises important considerations about privacy and ethics in pet ownership.
While DNA tracking provides an effective solution to a persistent problem, it also introduces questions about genetic data storage and usage. However, humans seem to be a little more forgiving about handing over pet data than their own.
For landlords and HOAs, compliance-based pet services have opened new revenue streams. Properties can offer comprehensive pet management packages that include DNA registration, waste management, and other tech-enabled services.
This approach not only improves community cleanliness but also creates value-added services for pet-owning residents. Some properties are charging $500 per offense!
A quick look at PooPrints pricing:
Initial DNA registration: The cost ranges from $35 to $60 per dog, with lower prices for larger orders (150+ kits).
Waste sample processing: The fee for analyzing a waste sample ranges from $50 - $80.
Pet registration event: Some communities offer a service where PooPrints representatives register pets on-site, costing around $60 per dog.
Community-specific fees: Some apartment complexes charge residents a one-time fee (e.g., $50 or $150) for PooPrints registration
The potential for expansion extends beyond residential communities. Cities could really benefit by implementing across public parks, city sidewalks (NYC 👀), beaches, etc…However, ingesting that much… ”data” would be an immense feat.
Looking ahead, PooPrints exemplifies the kind of innovative thinking that's shaping the increasing integration of dogs into our everyday lives.
As urban pet ownership continues to grow, the demand for solutions that balance pet-friendly policies with community cleanliness will only increase.
The success of DNA testing in waste management demonstrates that pet owners are ready to embrace sophisticated solutions to age-old problems.
We’ve known about poop scoop companies for a long time now, there’s even compostable dog poop baggies, and now dog waste DNA policing… wonder what new categories will crop up around our pet’s dirty deeds.
PAWS right there!!! Don’t forget to subscribe 👇👇
WINNER 🏆️ : S&P 500
Weekly DoggyDex Performance - February 10th, 2025
Proudly introducing the DoggyDex™, an index comprised of 10 publicly traded companies whose primary focus is the dog/pet industry.
List of tickers used can be found below.
The yellow line-plot in the chart represents these companies above (DoggyDex™) and their combined performance against both the S&P 500 and Bitcoin on a weekly basis.
Pawformance is measured by % gains & losses.
$CHWY - Chewy: E-commerce platform for pet supplies
$IDXX - Idexx Labs: Vet point of care instruments and vet software
$FRPT - Fresh Pet: Pet food company
$ELAN - Elanco: Manufactures pet disease prevention products
$PETS - PetMeds: Online pet pharmacy
$ZTS - Zoetis: World's largest producer of meds and vaccines for pets and livestock
$TRUP - Trupanion: Pet insurance company
$WOOF - Petco Health & Wellness co.: Pet health & wellness company
$BARK - BarkBox: Subscription service providing dog products, services, and experiences
$PET - Wag! Group Co.: Tech platform that allows pet owners to connect with industry professionals for services such as, walking, training, etc.
A recent survey of 2,000 dog and cat owners reveals a growing emphasis on pet health among owners.
A significant 77% of pet owners are interested in a health reset in 2025, with 69% considering one for their pets, driven by a desire to proactively manage pet health.
Financial preparedness for unexpected pet health events has decreased from 82% in 2023 to 52% in 2024, with the average cost of such events being $560.80.
This financial strain contributes to a reduced interest in acquiring new pets in 2025 (27%) compared to 2024 (66%). Despite financial concerns, owners still prioritize their current pets, with 25% focusing on their relationship with their existing pet when considering a new one.
Pet owners spent an average of $2,085.60 on their pets in 2024, and while 45% expect to spend the same in 2025, 36% anticipate spending more due to rising inflation and pet aging.
A majority (55%) do not have a regular budget for pet expenses, and 37% have loosened their budgets due to work or family schedule impacts on care expenses.
Owners would prefer to ask a family member to pet sit (64%) above hiring a pet sitter or boarding their animals. Overall, pet owners are prioritizing quality time and care for their pets, with memories of spending time together increasing significantly from 2023 to 2024.
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