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Super Pooper
Scoopers
Couple trying to
keep Downriver beautiful, one yard at a time
August
16, 2006
BY LISA
VIDUARRI-BOWLING, The News-Herald
BROWNSTOWN
TWP.- Since starting their own company, business has gone to the
dogs and Curtis and Cheryll Wezner couldn’t be happier.
The
husband-and-wife team own and operate K-9 Klean Up, a home-based
business in Brownstown Township specializing in the pickup and
disposal of dog waste.
“Like many people, we’ve had aspirations of owning a business
someday, but we were never quite sure what kind,” said Curtis Wezner,
45.
“We were leaning toward something with the Internet. A service
business like this never crossed our minds. K-9 Klean Up came along
and kind of bopped us in the head.”
But before starting their canine cleanup services in 2002, the
Wezners got the scoop on poop.
“We researched the industry for several months before actually
starting,” said Cheryll Wezner, 39. “We talked to scoopers in other
states to learn about the industry.
“We consulted with an attorney and tax professional to ensure that
we were starting the business correctly.”
The company will come to homes, businesses and apartment complexes
to pick up and haul away what Fido has left behind, she said.
“We offer our services on a weekly, bi-weekly or even one-time
basis,” Wezner said. “There aren’t any contracts to sign and
service can be started by telephone or e-mail.”
According to the Wezners, weekly cleanups are important for two main
reasons.
“The first being for health reasons: Roundworms, whipworms,
hookworms and other parasites can be transmitted through dog feces,”
Curtis Wezner said.
“The second reason is to help keep our water clean. When pet waste
is not picked up, bacteria can be transported to storm drains then
to the lakes and streams.”
Cheryll Wezner said the profession of “pooper scoopers” has been
around for more than 20 years and is growing at an impressive pace.
“Most people don’t know that there is a professional association for
scoopers, Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists,
which we are proud members of,” she said. “I think that people are
getting used to the concept and realizing that scooping is a
legitimate service.”
There are
and always will be the jokes about the business, she said.
“How’s business? Crappy? Picking up?” We’ve just about heard them
all and still chuckle if someone comes up with a good one,” she
said.
“Our customer base fluctuates constantly. We have residential and
commercial customers. Some people request our services for the
summer or winter. Most are year-round. In the past four years, we
have cleaned over 1,000 yards.
An
average price for one animal and one stop per week is $11, and $3
for each additional dog. Discounts are offered for seniors age 60
and older and for those with assistance dogs.
When “doody” calls, the Wezners use a special disinfectant for their
tools and shoes and all waste is double bagged before being properly
disposed of.
“We work year-round, but midwinter to the start of spring is our
busiest. The winter months can make scooping more difficult due to
the inclement weather,” Curtis Wezner said. “We knew going into
this that scooping wasn’t going to be like picking daisies and
chasing butterflies.”
They both work full time at other jobs. Cheryll is a legal
administrative assistant and Curtis works for a major airline.
“We are a family business,” he said. “Cheryll and I and our son,
Mike, do the majority of the work. In the evening and during her
lunch hour, she completes paperwork, returns phone call and
e-mails.”
“I
work afternoons and scoop during the day. On the weekend, we both
scoop yards.”
He
said he and Cheryll are dog lovers and enjoy meeting their customers
and their pets.
“We share our home with two boxers, Maggie and Rambo,” Wezner said.
“They were adopted from Heart of Ohio Boxer Rescue. Cheryll and I
were both born and raised Downriver and we hope that K-9 Klean Up is
doing its part in helping keep Downriver beautiful one yard at a
time.
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