The scoop on poop
Now this may not be your favorite topic of conversation, but when you are dealing with animals all day long, it is bound to come up.
The reason I am writing about it is a simple fact. It is something I think everyone who is involved in animal care should be addressing, and a fact that gets buried and never discussed.
I have met people over the last few years that don't do poop. They don't scoop it, pick it up, dispose of it and most times simply ignore their dog while the dog is doing it.
I have heard kennel workers say, "I don't pick up poop." Excuse me? What was that? You don't pick up poop?
Now, correct me if I am wrong, but sanitation is a big thing in animal shelters. All kinds of diseases can be carried through feces to other animals and humans. Feces also attracts flies and other bugs which carry disease. When one person doesn't do their part in cleaning up after an animal they are caring for, it makes the load that much heavier for the other responsible people to have to carry.
So the next time you workers are not picking up poop, just remember the folks who are walking after you. Just remember they may be carrying hookworms, or roundworms, pinworms or tapeworms back to the other animals in your care. Think about the consciencious people who carry a baggie around, or grab the nearest pooper scopper to pick up the mess the dog you are working with is responsible for.
Don't place that job on other people's shoulders. If you work with dogs, you will have to clean up poop. If poop bothers you, maybe you should think about another line of work.
The reason I am writing about it is a simple fact. It is something I think everyone who is involved in animal care should be addressing, and a fact that gets buried and never discussed.
I have met people over the last few years that don't do poop. They don't scoop it, pick it up, dispose of it and most times simply ignore their dog while the dog is doing it.
I have heard kennel workers say, "I don't pick up poop." Excuse me? What was that? You don't pick up poop?
Now, correct me if I am wrong, but sanitation is a big thing in animal shelters. All kinds of diseases can be carried through feces to other animals and humans. Feces also attracts flies and other bugs which carry disease. When one person doesn't do their part in cleaning up after an animal they are caring for, it makes the load that much heavier for the other responsible people to have to carry.
So the next time you workers are not picking up poop, just remember the folks who are walking after you. Just remember they may be carrying hookworms, or roundworms, pinworms or tapeworms back to the other animals in your care. Think about the consciencious people who carry a baggie around, or grab the nearest pooper scopper to pick up the mess the dog you are working with is responsible for.
Don't place that job on other people's shoulders. If you work with dogs, you will have to clean up poop. If poop bothers you, maybe you should think about another line of work.
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