It might seem like a messy business. But before dog poop starts to pile up, Cambridge entrepreneur Rick Couchman is ready to scoop.
Based in Hespeler, The Poop Valet provides professional pet waste removal for local dog owners.
“We’re here to make life easier and more enjoyable by offering an affordable and reliable ‘pooper scooper’ service by cleaning local backyards,” Couchman says.
“There are a lot of people that are busy, they are working, and they don’t have a ton of hours and time to go out and clean their backyards. It’s cold. They don’t really want to walk their dogs, so the dog goes out in the yard.”
As the owner and chief "pooper scooper," the Poop Valet has been operating since Dec.1, and already Couchman says, word is starting to spread.
“Two people who have reached out to me are elderly. One of them said, it’s just too cold to be going outside. The other said that they are going away for three months. They have a house sitter, and in spring, they don’t want to deal with a big mess. They said that they would love it if I could come by twice a week while they are away,” Couchman says.
Since developing a website and sharing the Poop Valet on social media, Couchman says more and more people are reaching out.
Couchman says he is currently operating part-time, and in the future, will see where things lead.
“People think it’s a great idea from what I’ve been hearing so far. We’ll see where this goes. I suspect spring will be a busy time. Even thought this is just part-time for me, I might need to hire someone to help me keep up,” Couchman says.
“Companies doing this in the States say that springtime is huge.”
Couchman has lived in Hespeler for over 15 years and is retired from a career in communications and social work.
He says the idea originated at a get-together with friends and family when the discussion turned to the business of ‘unsightly backyards and smelly dog poop’.
Couchman saw an opportunity for a professional small business, to help people have poop-free yards, providing a clean environment for kids, dogs, and visitors.
“These pet waste removal businesses are really big in the states. There are a lot of companies that do it. Here in Canada, there are about 30 across the country,” Couchman says.
“There’s a definite need for it.”
The Poop Valet serves Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph.
Couchman says that typically, for someone with one or two dogs, in city sized house backyard, the cost for pet waste removal is $20 a week.
For properties with more than two dogs, the cost goes up by $5 a week.
“I have so much hope for this, and being more or less retired, I still think of this as being a cool part-time venture. All the signs point to it being more successful than I ever thought,” Couchman said.
“I have a small pick-up truck, I pick up the waste in the back yard, I haul it away and take it to the landfill following all landfill regulations.”
Couchman says he’s done his research when it comes to pet waste removal.
“I’m a member of the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (aPaws) and I’m insured,” Couchman says.
“We help our customers save time and energy by providing a clean, disease, and odour free backyard.”
Poop Valet services also include the sale and servicing of pet waste stations in parks, churches, condos, apartments, and businesses. The Poop Valet can arrange to restock bags and remove waste from receptacles to fit business needs.
Couchman says he’s a long-time dog lover.
And I’m also a people person. It’s my background and I love helping people. I just want to help out when I can, and if I can help meet my expenses with this, well, that’s great too,” Couchman said.
“I think I’m really going to have fun with this business.”
For more information, visit here or call (519) 835-POOP.
