Preview: figures awaiting verification
Some numbers on this page haven't been checked against their sources yet.
Pet Waste Removal Business
A very low-cost, ground-level route business where homeowners pay a small weekly subscription to have dog waste cleared from their yards.
Figures last verified October 30, 2026
$61 – $71*Pending verificationSourcesHD Supply — Fur Essentials Pooper Scooper Set, 38-inch handle (part 408315)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026HD Supply — Pooper Scooper Rake and Shovel Pan Set (part 293461)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 1 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Startup cost
Coming soon
Time to first revenue
Low
Difficulty
Moderate
Physical demand
Yes
Can run solo
Year-round, lighter in winter
Seasonality
* Startup cost excludes budget lines we haven't sourced yet.
Risk Meter
Eight factors from this guide's own data, each scored 1 (lowest risk) to 5 (highest). Every score shows why.
Overall risk
Low
1.5 out of 5
Average of 6 of 8 factors, weighted equally. 1 is the lowest risk and 5 the highest. It measures risk, not how much you'll earn, and it isn't a prediction. How we score risk.
Money at risk
Not scoredAt least $71
7 startup lines aren't sourced yet, so the real total is higher. We'll score this once the budget is complete.
Time to earn it back
Not scoredNot scored yet
Some startup or operating cost lines aren't sourced yet, so a payback time would look shorter than it really is.
Franchise closure rate
1 / 51.5% a yearPending verificationSourcesDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Pet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Scoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Closures = terminations + non-renewals + outlets that ceased operations, divided by franchised outlets at the start of the year.
Average of 3 brands: DoodyCalls 1.8% (2025); Pet Butler 2.6% (2025); Scoop Soldiers 0.0% (2025). Our calculation from each FDD's Item 20.
Loan default rate
2 / 55.8% vs 7.2% for all industriesPending verificationSourceSBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level data, files as of September 30, 2026 (our count by NAICS code)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Charged off = the SBA wrote off the unpaid balance after the borrower stopped paying. An industry code can include businesses unlike this one.
134 of 2,310 SBA 7(a) loans to Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (NAICS 812910), approved FY2010–2019, were charged off. Our count from the SBA's loan-level data; 364 loans were still open, so the final rate may be slightly higher.
Demand trend
1 / 5Growing much faster than all businessesPending verificationSourcesU.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2019, U.S. file (cbp19us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026U.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2023, U.S. file (cbp23us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026
Pet care (except veterinary) services, the closest category to pet waste removal (NAICS 812910) employer establishments +25.2% (20,413 to 25,551) vs +5.1% for all industries, 2019–2023.
Licensing and rules
1 / 5Light
Only a city or county business license, plus local rules on disposing of pet waste (see Licensing).
Customer concentration
1 / 5Many customers
Weekly service for many households; losing one barely matters.
Physical demand
3 / 5Moderate
From the guide's at-a-glance rating; see the risks section for details.
Franchise vs. Independent
Same type of business. Two very different paths.
| Franchise (3 brands) | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | $39,500 – $46,000Pending verificationSourcesDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Pet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Scoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $64,100 – $122,500Pending verificationSourcesDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Pet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Scoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands. | $61 – $71*Pending verificationSourcesHD Supply — Fur Essentials Pooper Scooper Set, 38-inch handle (part 408315)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026HD Supply — Pooper Scooper Rake and Shovel Pan Set (part 293461)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 1 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded. |
| Ongoing royalties | 7.5% – 16% of revenuePending verificationSourcesDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Pet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Scoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $21,420 – $25,415Pending verificationSourcesPet Care Insurance — Pooper scooper insurance(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — Pet care business insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Sweep&Go — Pooper scooper app pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths. | $21,420 – $25,415 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $128,506 – $207,843 | $21,481 – $25,486* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $39,500 – $46,000Pending verificationSourcesDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Pet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Scoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $64,100 – $122,500Pending verificationSourcesDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Pet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Scoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands.
- Independent
- $61 – $71*Pending verificationSourcesHD Supply — Fur Essentials Pooper Scooper Set, 38-inch handle (part 408315)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026HD Supply — Pooper Scooper Rake and Shovel Pan Set (part 293461)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 1 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Ongoing royalties
- Franchise (3 brands)
- 7.5% – 16% of revenuePending verificationSourcesDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Pet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Scoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $21,420 – $25,415Pending verificationSourcesPet Care Insurance — Pooper scooper insurance(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — Pet care business insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Sweep&Go — Pooper scooper app pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths.
- Independent
- $21,420 – $25,415
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (3 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $128,506 – $207,843
- Independent
- $21,481 – $25,486*
5-year totals assume $31,096–$49,920 in yearly revenue (our forecast presets at full volume), the same sourced operating costs (insurance, software, fees) on both paths, and both the lean and professional independent plans. Franchise investment figures come from each brand's disclosure (FDD Item 7) and already include the franchise fee. * Excludes independent startup lines we haven't sourced yet. Adjust the assumptions.
What franchisees report taking in
From each brand's own disclosure (FDD Item 19), copied exactly. These are gross sales before royalties and costs, not profit, and not a promise of what you will earn.
DoodyCalls
Item 19 reports system-wide sales for 2021–2025 and 2025 Gross Revenue per franchisee and per territory by quartile; the median franchisee took in much less than the average.
- Average annual Gross Revenue per franchisee, 2025, 65 franchisees open all year (not profit)$365,634 a yearPending verificationSourceDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross Revenue before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 65 franchisees (107 territories) open all of 2025; excludes 22 franchisees that opened in 2025, 2 that closed and 1 that didn't report all 12 months. Many franchisees own several territories. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ." 20 of the 65 (31%) exceeded this average.
- Median annual Gross Revenue per franchisee, 2025, same 65 franchisees (not profit)$147,096 a yearPending verificationSourceDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross Revenue before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 65 franchisees (107 territories) open all of 2025; excludes 22 franchisees that opened in 2025, 2 that closed and 1 that didn't report all 12 months. Many franchisees own several territories. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ."
- Average annual Gross Revenue of the top 25%, 2025, 17 franchisees with 46 territories (not profit)$1,013,831 a yearPending verificationSourceDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross Revenue before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 65 franchisees (107 territories) open all of 2025; excludes 22 franchisees that opened in 2025, 2 that closed and 1 that didn't report all 12 months. Many franchisees own several territories. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ."
- Average annual Gross Revenue of the bottom 25%, 2025, 16 franchisees with 18 territories (not profit)$54,367 a yearPending verificationSourceDoodyCalls 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 28, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross Revenue before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 65 franchisees (107 territories) open all of 2025; excludes 22 franchisees that opened in 2025, 2 that closed and 1 that didn't report all 12 months. Many franchisees own several territories. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ." The lowest franchisee reported $31,477.
Pet Butler
Item 19 doesn't give yearly sales per franchise. It reports 2025 revenue per truck, per customer and per stop, and stops per hour, for 39 businesses open all year.
- Average revenue per truck, 2025, 39 businesses open all year (not profit)$102,592 a yearPending verificationSourcePet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 39 businesses open all of 2025 (38 franchises plus 1 the franchisor's affiliate took over in late December). The franchisor pooled everyone's revenue and divided by the total count, so this is not an average of each business. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ." Counts full- and part-time vehicles. Individual businesses ranged from $52,988 to $384,043 per truck; 26 of 39 (67%) reached the average.
- Median revenue per truck, 2025, same 39 businesses (not profit)$108,667 a yearPending verificationSourcePet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 39 businesses open all of 2025 (38 franchises plus 1 the franchisor's affiliate took over in late December). The franchisor pooled everyone's revenue and divided by the total count, so this is not an average of each business. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ."
- Average revenue per customer for the year, 2025, 39 businesses (not profit)$724 a yearPending verificationSourcePet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 39 businesses open all of 2025 (38 franchises plus 1 the franchisor's affiliate took over in late December). The franchisor pooled everyone's revenue and divided by the total count, so this is not an average of each business. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ." Individual businesses ranged from $409 to $2,148.
- Average revenue per stop (one service visit), 2025, 39 businesses (not profit)$19.45Pending verificationSourcePet Butler 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers 39 businesses open all of 2025 (38 franchises plus 1 the franchisor's affiliate took over in late December). The franchisor pooled everyone's revenue and divided by the total count, so this is not an average of each business. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ." Individual businesses ranged from $15.28 to $70.73.
Scoop Soldiers
Item 19 reports 2025 Gross Sales for each franchise territory and each company-owned outlet, plus totals by franchisee; one territory took in as little as $12,214 and another $638,317.
- Average annual Gross Sales per franchise territory, 2025, 92 territories open before 2025 (not profit)$170,283 a yearPending verificationSourceScoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross Sales before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers all 92 franchise territories open before 2025, counted one territory at a time; many franchisees own several territories. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ."
- Median annual Gross Sales per franchise territory, 2025, same 92 territories (not profit)$128,591 a yearPending verificationSourceScoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross Sales before royalties and all expenses, not profit. Covers all 92 franchise territories open before 2025, counted one territory at a time; many franchisees own several territories. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ."
- Average annual Gross Sales, 2025, 4 company-owned outlets (each 1–4 territories; not profit)$148,111 a yearPending verificationSourceScoop Soldiers 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross Sales before expenses, not profit. Company-owned outlets don't pay royalties or brand fund fees, and the FDD says their experienced management may not match a new franchisee's. The FDD says: "Your individual results may differ."
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- Franchisor runs your grand opening marketing
- Commercial accounts (apartments, HOAs) are part of the model
- Initial training with no training fee for the key person
- A network of other owners to learn from
- Franchisor runs a $30,000 initial marketing campaign in your territory
- Property data for your territory supplied at opening
- Established operating software
- Franchisor-run Command Center services
- Bookkeeping handled by a designated service
- Grand opening marketing run by the franchisor
Going independent means
- You keep 100% of what you earn after costs — no royalties.
- You build your own brand, systems, and customer base.
- You need more self-reliance, especially in the first year.
Startup Budget
One-time costs to launch, from cited sources. Totals are added up from the lines below.
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional rake-and-pan scooper setPending verificationSourcesHD Supply — Fur Essentials Pooper Scooper Set, 38-inch handle (part 408315)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026HD Supply — Pooper Scooper Rake and Shovel Pan Set (part 293461)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026HD Supply list prices for one set: Fur Essentials $60.99; rake and shovel pan set $70.99. Many operators carry a spare. | $61 | $66 | $71 |
| Heavy-duty bags, lidded buckets and gloves | Data coming soon | ||
| Disinfectant for tools and boots between yards, rubber boots | Data coming soon | ||
| City or county business license | Data coming soon | ||
| Simple website with online sign-up | Data coming soon | ||
| Marketing launch (door hangers, yard signs, local ads) | Data coming soon | ||
| Total (sourced lines only) | $61 | $66 | $71 |
Share of mid estimate
- Professional rake-and-pan scooper set100%
Budget spreadsheet
Every line with its sources, included in the complete kit.
Mid is the halfway point between low and high where a source gives only a range.
The total leaves out 5 lines we haven't sourced yet. We don't guess.
AlternativeCalifornia LLC filing (Articles of Organization plus first Statement of Information): $90 – $90Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — Form LLC-1, Articles of Organization(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Secretary of State — Business Entities fee schedule (June 2018)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026$70 for Form LLC-1 plus $20 for Form LLC-12. Confirm current fees at bizfile Online.
Optional: you can also start as a sole proprietor. An LLC also owes California's $800 annual tax (see operating costs). Not included in the total above.
24-Month Forecast
An example to plan with. Every assumption is yours to change.
This is an estimate, not a prediction
Ticket is POOP 911's San Diego weekly starting price. Yard visits per week, ramp and costs are assumptions, not operator data: 40 weekly yards is about 8 a day, five days a week. Change any assumption to match your market. Your results will differ.
- Break-even
- Month 3
- Year-1 revenue
- $17,079
- Year-2 profit
- $22,684
Show monthly table
| Month | Jobs | Revenue | Costs | Profit | Cumulative cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Mar) | 21.7 | $324 | $429 | -$105 | -$171 |
| 2 (Apr) | 37.2 | $557 | $457 | $100 | -$71 |
| 3 (May) | 51.7 | $773 | $483 | $290 | $219 |
| 4 (Jun) | 66.2 | $989 | $509 | $481 | $700 |
| 5 (Jul) | 80.7 | $1,206 | $535 | $671 | $1,371 |
| 6 (Aug) | 95.1 | $1,422 | $561 | $862 | $2,232 |
| 7 (Sep) | 109.6 | $1,639 | $587 | $1,052 | $3,285 |
| 8 (Oct) | 124.1 | $1,855 | $613 | $1,243 | $4,527 |
| 9 (Nov) | 125.4 | $1,874 | $615 | $1,259 | $5,786 |
| 10 (Dec) | 131.2 | $1,961 | $625 | $1,336 | $7,122 |
| 11 (Jan) | 143.6 | $2,147 | $648 | $1,499 | $8,621 |
| 12 (Feb) | 156.0 | $2,332 | $670 | $1,662 | $10,284 |
| 13 (Mar) | 173.3 | $2,591 | $701 | $1,890 | $12,174 |
| 14 (Apr) | 182.0 | $2,721 | $717 | $2,004 | $14,178 |
| 15 (May) | 182.0 | $2,721 | $717 | $2,004 | $16,183 |
| 16 (Jun) | 182.0 | $2,721 | $717 | $2,004 | $18,187 |
| 17 (Jul) | 182.0 | $2,721 | $717 | $2,004 | $20,192 |
| 18 (Aug) | 182.0 | $2,721 | $717 | $2,004 | $22,196 |
| 19 (Sep) | 182.0 | $2,721 | $717 | $2,004 | $24,200 |
| 20 (Oct) | 182.0 | $2,721 | $717 | $2,004 | $26,205 |
| 21 (Nov) | 164.7 | $2,462 | $685 | $1,776 | $27,981 |
| 22 (Dec) | 156.0 | $2,332 | $670 | $1,662 | $29,644 |
| 23 (Jan) | 156.0 | $2,332 | $670 | $1,662 | $31,306 |
| 24 (Feb) | 156.0 | $2,332 | $670 | $1,662 | $32,968 |
Pricing
What customers typically pay, from large-sample cost data.
What customers pay
- Weekly service, starting price (San Diego)$14.95Pending verificationSourcePOOP 911 — San Diego pooper scooper service page(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026POOP 911's advertised weekly starting price in San Diego. The number of dogs is not stated and the page's footnote is not shown. No published sample size.
- Weekly service, one dog, per visit$16Pending verificationSourceAlpha Pet Waste (Cumming, GA) — published prices(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026One company's own published price, not a market average. No published sample size. Georgia company; each extra dog adds $3.
- One-time cleanup, one dog$65Pending verificationSourceAlpha Pet Waste (Cumming, GA) — published prices(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026One company's own published price, not a market average. No published sample size. Georgia company; prepaid only.
- Weekly service, small yard with one dog, per visit$15 – $20Pending verificationSourceRoutific — How to start a pooper scooper business (Sept. 25, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Example price structure from a single tier-3 vendor guide. No published sample size.
- Flat monthly rate (weekly visits)$30 – $60 a monthPending verificationSourceEntrepreneur — Business idea: pooper scooper service(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026From a single tier-3 article with no date or sample size. Shown for context only.
What similar businesses take in
Context only, not a promise of what you will earn. Government figures cover every business in the industry; guide figures are rougher. Tap the source icon to see which is which. These are revenue, before costs.
- Average receipts per employer firm with fewer than 5 employees, NAICS 812910 (Pet Care, except Veterinary, Services), 2022$154,473 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Statistics of U.S. Businesses, U.S. & states by 6-digit NAICS (released April 10, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Employer firms: 14,155 firms, $2,186,564,000 total receipts. Pet waste removal has no NAICS entry of its own; this closest category is mostly grooming, boarding, sitting and walking. We divided the table's total receipts by its count of businesses and rounded to the nearest dollar. It is an average of gross receipts, before any expenses, and many businesses take in far less. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
- Average receipts per nonemployer (solo, no employees) business, NAICS 81291 (Pet Care, except Veterinary, Services), 2023$24,683 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — 2023 Nonemployer Statistics, United States file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Nonemployer businesses: 146,763 businesses, $3,622,552,000 total receipts. Pet waste removal has no NAICS entry of its own; this closest category is mostly grooming, boarding, sitting and walking. Many are part-time. We divided the table's total receipts by its count of businesses and rounded to the nearest dollar. It is an average of gross receipts, before any expenses, and many businesses take in far less. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
Key Risks and How to Manage Them
Low price per visit
Customers often pay $15–$20 a visit, so income depends on how many yards you can visit in a day. Driving across town between scattered customers can eat most of the profit.
How to manage it: Market one neighborhood at a time, set a service area, and use routing software so stops cluster together.
Disease and parasite exposure
The CDC warns that dog poop can carry germs that make people and animals sick, including roundworm, hookworm, Giardia and Salmonella.
How to manage it: Wear gloves, never touch waste by hand, wash or sanitize hands after every yard, and keep the work and family areas of your car separate.
Carrying germs from yard to yard
Tools and boots can carry parasites and viruses between customers' yards, which could make a customer's dog sick.
How to manage it: Disinfect tools and boot soles between yards, and service any yard with a sick dog last in the day.
Weather and physical wear
The work is outdoors in heat, rain and cold, with a lot of walking and some bending. It is lighter than most outdoor trades, but long routes in summer heat are hard at 55 and up.
How to manage it: Use long-handled rake-and-pan tools to limit bending, schedule early starts in hot months, and cap your daily route.
Loose dogs, bites and open gates
You enter yards with dogs in them. A bite, or a dog getting out through a gate you left open, can lead to injury or a claim.
How to manage it: Ask customers to put dogs inside before your visit, check and photograph the gate latch on every exit, and carry liability insurance that includes animal coverage.
Disposal rules
Pet waste must not go in green organics carts or storm drains, and many California cities limit who may haul garbage away.
How to manage it: Bag waste and leave it in the customer's own trash cart where their hauler allows it, and check your city's hauling rules before you carry waste away.
Licensing by State
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction.
More states are coming.
A general guide only. Rules change and vary by city and county — confirm with your local government before you start.
City or county business license
Pending verificationRequired almost everywhere in California. We found no state license specific to pet waste removal; CalGold lists the permits for your city.
Verify with the CalGold (California permit finder)(opens in a new tab)Pet waste goes in the trash cart, never the green cart
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesCity of La Cañada Flintridge — SB 1383 organics recycling mailer (2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026City of Carpinteria — A Pet Owner's Guide to Safe Pet Waste Management(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026California's organics recycling rules (SB 1383) have cities sorting waste into trash, recycling and organics carts. City guidance tells residents to bag pet waste and put it in the trash cart, and lists pet waste as not allowed in green carts. Composting is not a safe option because the pile must exceed 165°F to sterilize pet waste.
Verify with the CalRecycle — mandatory organic waste collection (SB 1383)(opens in a new tab)Hauling waste away may need a city permit
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceCity of Piedmont — Solid Waste Self-Haul Permit application (City Code §9.03.060)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Many California cities give one hauler a franchise and require everyone else to get a permit before hauling waste. Piedmont, for example, requires a self-haul permit with a $298 fee and quarterly reports. The simplest route is leaving sealed bags in the customer's own trash cart, if the customer and their hauler allow it.
Verify with the Your city's solid waste or public works department(opens in a new tab)Keep pet waste out of storm drains
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceCity of San Diego Think Blue — Residential Guide: Pet Waste Disposal(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Pet waste carries bacteria, parasites and viruses that wash into creeks and the ocean. San Diego's code makes it illegal to discharge pollutants into the storm drain system, with fines of up to $1,000.
Verify with the City of San Diego Think Blue(opens in a new tab)LLC annual tax (if you form an LLC)
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceCalifornia Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Every LLC registered in California owes an $800 annual tax to the Franchise Tax Board, until the LLC is formally cancelled.
Verify with the California Franchise Tax Board(opens in a new tab)Workers' compensation once you hire
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceCalifornia Division of Workers' Compensation — Employer information(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026California requires every employer, even with one employee, to carry workers' compensation insurance.
Verify with the California Division of Workers' Compensation(opens in a new tab)
The Playbook
A step-by-step guide from setup to growth.
Phase 1
Setup
- Choose your business structure and get a city business license
- Check your city's rules for pet waste disposal and hauling
- Buy tools, bags and disinfectant
- Get liability insurance with animal coverage
- Set up scheduling and billing software
Phase 2
Launch
Included in the complete kit
Phase 3
Marketing
Included in the complete kit
Phase 4
Building route density
Included in the complete kit
Phase 5
Operations and hygiene
Included in the complete kit
Phase 6
Commercial accounts
Included in the complete kit
Phase 7
Hiring
Included in the complete kit
Phase 8
Growth
Included in the complete kit
Suppliers and Tools
Vendors independent operators use.
No supplier pays to be listed. If we ever earn a referral fee from a link, it will say “Affiliate link” right next to it.
Scheduling, billing and routing software
Apps built for recurring pet waste routes.
Insurance
Liability policies for pet service businesses.
The Kit Is Coming
Everything on this page is free. The downloadable kit (playbook, spreadsheets, templates) is in the works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a franchise?
No. The Open Franchise is not a franchise and does not sell franchises. You start and own your business yourself, with no franchise fee, royalties, or territory rules. We sell guides and kits; that's all.
Where does the waste go?
Most California cities tell residents to bag pet waste and put it in the trash cart, never the green organics cart or a storm drain. Leaving sealed bags in the customer's own trash cart is the simplest option. Hauling waste away yourself can require a city permit, so check with your city first.
Is it safe?
Dog poop can carry germs that make people sick, so gloves, hand washing and cleaning your tools between yards are part of every visit. The work is ground-level, with no ladders or heavy lifting, but it is outdoors in every kind of weather.
Are these numbers guaranteed?
No. Every cost and price is an estimate from a cited source, shown as a range where possible, with the date we last checked it. Your costs and results will depend on your market and choices.
Figures last verified October 30, 2026. Every number links to its source. See all sources for this page.