How Dog Poop Became a $250K/Year Goldmine
Turning Dog Poop into Profit
Who would have thought that picking up dog poop could turn into a $250K/year business? For many, pet waste removal sounds like an odd job, but for entrepreneurs like Regan from Poo Pickers, it’s a goldmine waiting to be tapped. In this article, we’ll break down his journey, how he scaled his business, and what key lessons you can apply to start and grow your own pet waste removal service.
The Start of Poo Pickers
Regan didn’t wake up one day and decide to pick up poop for a living. While working at another job, he interviewed a candidate who listed a dog waste removal company as a reference. Curious, he contacted the business and learned they were doing over $1.5 million per year. That’s when the light bulb went off.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Regan knew he had to make a career shift. After discussing the idea with his wife, he decided to launch Poo Pickers. The name was suggested by his 7-year-old daughter, and within days, his sister helped him secure the PooPickers.ca domain. The rest is history.
The Simple Business Model That Works
At its core, the business model is simple:
- Customers book a service for pet waste removal.
- The team arrives, cleans the yard, and removes the waste.
- They charge customers a flat rate based on frequency and yard size.
Despite its simplicity, the business quickly scaled by offering reliable service and highly competitive pricing—something many other scooping businesses overcomplicate.
Startup Costs: You Don’t Need Much
Unlike many businesses that require thousands of dollars in startup capital, Poo Pickers was launched for just $75.
Basic Tools Needed:
- A rake ($4-$30)
- A dustpan or scoop ($20-$30)
- A bucket to transport waste ($20)
- Garbage bags ($5-$10)
Regan initially drove a $300 minivan to service customers. This proves that anyone can start with minimal investment. You don’t need expensive trucks or equipment—just the drive to get started.
Pricing & Profit Margins
One of the smartest moves Regan made was simplifying his pricing structure. Instead of charging customers based on square footage, weight, or administrative fees, he kept it flat and transparent.
Typical Pricing Structure:
- Residential services: $11-$20 per visit (depending on the number of dogs)
- Acreage properties: Custom pricing
- Spring cleanups: $1 per minute, with a $60 minimum charge
Profit Margins
- Year 1: Struggled to make ends meet
- Year 2: $70K revenue with 45% profit margins
- Year 3: $150K revenue with 35% profit margins
- Year 4: On track to hit $250K+
By focusing on route density (stacking customers in the same neighborhoods) and keeping expenses low, Regan has maintained strong profitability while expanding his service area.
Marketing Strategy: How They Grew to $250K+ Per Year
Poo Pickers didn’t take the traditional route of throwing thousands of dollars into ads. Instead, Regan leveraged free and low-cost marketing strategies:
1. Facebook Groups & Community Engagement
- Joined 30 local community pages (buy/sell/trade groups, neighborhood forums)
- Built relationships before ever advertising
- Created engagement by asking for feedback about the service rather than outright promoting it
💡 Smart Move: Instead of posting “We pick up poop, hire us,” Regan posted: “Thinking of starting a pet waste removal business in [City Name]. What do you guys think?” This led to 10 people pre-booking before he even launched.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Hired an SEO expert to optimize his website
- Focused on local search terms (e.g., “dog poop removal [city]”)
- Within one year, he ranked #1 on Google
3. Customer Service & Word of Mouth
- Exceeded expectations by doing a little extra (e.g., picking up trash in yards)
- Created a seamless booking & payment system
- Focused on long-term customer relationships over quick wins
The results? Over 300 new customers signed up within a few weeks when demand spiked.
Expanding to Large-Scale Clients
While residential customers were the foundation, Regan also secured large-scale commercial contracts:
- County government hired them to service dog parks
- Lawn care companies referred them to their clients
- Built strategic partnerships with property management companies
These partnerships helped Poo Pickers transition from a small startup into a high-volume, six-figure business.
Want to Start Your Own Pet Waste Removal Business?
If you’re inspired by Regan’s success and want to start your own pet waste removal business, there’s no better time than now.
✔ Low startup costs ✔ Simple business model ✔ Huge demand
📢 Join Poop Scoop Millionaire here to learn how to scale fast.
💼 Looking for scooping jobs? Apply to work with Royal Scoopers!
✅ Apply here
👉 Watch the full video: How Dog Poop Became a $250K/Year Goldmine