What can we do with our dogs' feces? Or more importantly, what are you doing with your dogs’?

Compost it
Allocate a bin to this purpose only. The resulting compost can be used on flowers or shrubs. Or, if you go with a septic style composter, most of the composted feces will merge naturally into the surrounding soil.

*Note: Don’t put the resulting compost, or a septic-style composter on or near your vegetable garden. There is always a chance that e. coli bacteria may be present. If you live near a stream, place you composter away from the stream, as the runoff can contain a lot of nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen) which are good for plants but not for streams.

Flush it - Feces from dogs or cats can be flushed down the toilet (don’t flush kitty litter), so they are treated at a wastewater treatment plant with other sewage. Don’t put pet waste down the storm sewers (on your street) as these are designed to carry rain directly to creeks, which is not the right place for pet waste.

Bury it - Dog feces can be buried in an area of your garden where you do not grow food, although if you bury too much in one place it may sit longer than is desirable. Use eight inch deep holes filled no more than half way, and top with soil. Adding a carbon source, such as wood chips or fireplace ash, helps with the breakdown and reduces odours.
*check with your local municipality if there are restrictions on this activity for reasons such as a high water table

Worm farm - Worm composters have been used for years for kitchen scraps, why not set one up specifically for dog feces? Only do this if you are a good worm farmer and can run a highly efficient farm.

Call someone - There are companies that can help you out. Look in the phone book under Pet Products & Services to see if there is a company offering yard collection in your neighbourhood. Most commercial collectors bring their loads to a wastewater treatment plant for treatment.

Buy a composter - There are a few composters on the market, designed specifically for dog waste.
 Petsmart - carries the Doggy Dooly system. Search under ‘dog waste’.
 Composters - lists tools and products for pet waste composting. Not all are available in Canada, but it provides good ideas to build your own.
 Pet Waste Recycle - a small indoor/outdoor composter available locally.

Metro Vancouver Parks and pet waste
Five of the regional parks have off-leash areas. In Pacific Spirit Regional Park alone there are an estimated 360,000 dog visits annually. The park has a dog waste management program. Owners are encouraged to bag and bin their pets’ waste, with the park providing biodegradable bags. In addition, a private contractor visits the main park entranceways to scoop weekly and take their load to the Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant. If you visit any park, ensure you clean up after your pet.