May 20, 2014

Here's the Scoop: Poop Pollutes!

Take the Pledge for Cleaner Water---and Win!

Did you know that pet waste is one of the leading causes of harmful bacteria in our local waterways? In addition to being unsightly, pet waste gets washed into nearby rivers, streams, and bay when it rains and becomes a major source of nitrogen and bacteria pollution. This excess nitrogen and bacteria are responsible for cloudy, green, foul-smelling water; aquatic dead zones; declines in local fish and crab populations; and beach closures. Yuck! The average-sized dog creates a half-pound of poop every day. That's a lot of pollution impacting our watery environment! How do you prevent it? It's as easy as 1-2-3.


STEP #1 Take the askHRgreen.org pledge to Scoop the Poop!	STEP #2 Scoop it, bag it and trash it each and every time (whether poop happens in your yard or out for a walk).	STEP #3 Share the pledge with others in your community.

Everyone who takes the pledge will automatically be entered to win an askHRgreen.org gift bag and one of these great prizes below. Winners will be drawn at random and announced daily on our "Let's Talk Green" blog beginning tomorrow through Friday, May 23.

Wednesday, May 21 Weekend boarding package at Happy Tails Pet Resort and a $25 Norfolk SPCA Veterinary Clinic gift certificate.

Thursday, May 22 One-week subscription to Doody Calls Pet Waste Removal Service and a $25 gift certificate to Mrs. Bones Bowtique.

Friday, May 23 Grand Prize-Five-day dog daycare package from Happy Tails Resort, free Doggie Dips for a month from The Skinny Dip and a Super Duper Pooper Scooper from Elizabeth River Project and River Star Homes

Need more info about why you should pledge to scoop the poop and other ways to keep Hampton Roads waterways clean? We've got 'em at askHRgreen.org!

A Scratch Behind the Ears to our Scoop-the-Poop Community Partners!

Chesapeake Animal Services Unit

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Chesapeake Humane Society
Elizabeth River Project

Heritage Humane Society
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation

James River Association
Lafayette Wetlands Partnership
Lead Hampton Roads Class of 2014
Lynnhaven River Now

Nansemond RIver Preservation Alliance

Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center

Norfolk SPCA
Peninsula SPCA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Portsmouth Humane Society

Suffolk Humane Society
Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center
Virginia Beach SPCA

Don't Let Your
Neighborhood Go to the Dogs

Applications are still being accepted for the askHRgreen.org Pet Waste Station Grant Program. Pet waste stations are a great addition to any community, making scooping the poop easy and convenient. While supplies last, askHRgreen.org will provide a FREE pet waste station to any neighborhood association, property manager or civic organization willing to install and maintain a pet waste station in their community. Supplies are limited and they're going fast, so help us clean up our local waterways by applying online today!

To learn more about how to keep our waterways clean for everyone, visit askHRgreen.org