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The 10 million tons of annual waste created by the 78 million dogs in this country could fill 267,500 18-wheelers. Lined up bumper to bumper, those trucks would stretch for 3,800 miles, according to DoodyCalls, a dog waste removal company. (And while cats generate waste, too, those stats aren’t as readily available.) The more you can do to make waste more eco-friendly, the happier the planet will be...more

For the past four years, DoodyCalls has been the go-to company to clean up after the animals (and some humans, too) at the Minnesota State Fair. The contract is in a class by itself. Pigs, cows, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and rabbits generated more than 3,000 tons of manure last year, according to the fair...more

You’ve heard the expression, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Several Tennessee entrepreneurs are combining that cliché with another (with a slight modification)—“Poop happens”—and the result is that businessmen are turning droppings into dollars...more

Most Earth Day celebrations focus on the dangers of man-made pollutants. The contributions of animals get pushed under the carpet. Hopefully, that carpet is metaphorical, because American canines pump out 10 million tons of dog poop each year...more

Man’s best friend can be crappy for the environment. The 78 million dogs in America collectively produce 10 million tons of poop each year—enough to fill a line of fully-loaded tractor trailers stretching from Seattle to Boston, according to DoodyCalls...more

Jacob D’Aniello, co-founder and chief executive officer of DoodyCalls, can imagine only one scenario in which his business could fail. “If one day, everybody in the world woke up and decided they loved picking up dog poop,” he says grimly...more

Around this time of the year, a particular local business is on the mind of many dog owners — DoodyCalls pooper scooper service. The business serves the local areas including Stafford, Fredericksburg and parts of Prince William County...more

You could employ the services of a firm like DoodyCalls, who, for a monthly fee, will clean up after your dog(s) and—for an additional fee—will also empty your cat’s litter box, which is something else too many do too seldom...more

Hi, I’m Jeff Merten, local owner of DoodyCalls. We are a pet waste management company serving residential and commercial properties in the Richmond area...more

When Westbank residents Brenda and George Salemie had their daughter and got a Great Pyrenees puppy around the same time, they realized they had a problem. A very stinky problem that was making their backyard unusable. The Salemies, who own two successful businesses between them, put their heads together and not only found a solution to their pet waste problem, they found a way to make some money...more

Some franchisors also feel it's their responsibility to provide jobs. “Being an entrepreneur means you are creating jobs and helping to rebuild the economy. Simply put: it's the American thing to do,” D'Aniello says...more

George Salemie gets a whiff of the 60,000 pounds of waste that Austin’s dogs produce every day—and he smells opportunity...more

Susan D'Aniello worked in the emergency department as a nurse before launching DoodyCalls, a pet waste removal franchise. "Some people ask how I felt about going from that to cleaning yards," she said. "Believe me—cleaning up dog poop is a much cleaner job!"...more

From hiring someone to pick up your dog’s poop to having someone manage your fantasy football team, there’s no shortage of unusual services at your fingertips...more

In 1999, Jacob D'Aniello heard an interview with a professional pet poop remover and realized that the guy was making more money than he was. A year later, the management consultant founded DoodyCalls...more

One day, she saw an ad online for a job at DoodyCalls, a Fairfax, Va.-based pet waste removal service. She laughed. Then she stopped laughing. Then she called her mom...more

Keeping the Minnesota State Fair grounds clean is no small job, but one Maple Grove resident meets the dirty job head on...more

The poop-removers are a cheerful crew, led by an energetic entrepreneur named Mike Kuehn-Hajder. His company: DOODY CALLS. His 50-person crew runs around the fairgrounds looking for “golden prize” — Mike’s term — and gets it up before you wander into it...more

When nature calls, Kurt Rasmussen answers. A new franchise based out of Cottage Grove is now servicing the Woodbury area for pet waste removal. Doody Calls is shooting to become “No. 1 and No. 2” in the business, said Rasmussen, owner of the local franchise...more

I had the privilege of interviewing Jacob D’Aniello, Co-Founder and CEO of DoodyCalls, and I must say he presented a very solid case in favor of this pet waste removal franchise opportunity...more

Some businesses thrive off the “ick” factor – those unpleasant tasks in life that need to get done...more

Jacob D’Aniello, who started DoodyCalls in Charlottesville, Va., in 2000 and began selling franchises in 2004, says, “This is our best year” so far. He claims 2,200 new clients since Jan. 1. and a 20% jump in revenues from last year’s first quarter...more

Waste not, want not. Picking up pet poo may not be high on your “things-I-love-to-do” list, but it's a basic tenant of being a responsible pet owner and a considerate neighbor...more

I thought I knew everything there was to know about picking up dog poop. After all, I’ve been the canine companion to a number of dogs over the years, including taking my current boss, Hank, out on a leash several times a day...more

As job growth continues to sputter, some frustrated or laid-off workers are taking an alternative route to finding new employment. They're opening their own businesses, often through the world of franchising...more

Today, 34-year-old D’Aniello helms a 35-franchise company in 57 locations, its biggest in Fairfax, that aims to be the first national pet removal brand...more

Headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., DoodyCalls boasts 35 franchisees throughout the nation who specialize in cleaning up after dogs. Recently, the 11-year-old business expanded its services to appeal to cat owners by offering to wash and sanitize litter boxes...more

DoodyCalls, a specialist in dog waste removal, has now gone to the cats. The North Charlotte and Lake Norman area company has added litter box service that relieves cat owners from purchasing litter and cleaning litter boxes...more

The newly launched local pet waste removal service, DoodyCalls, will receive quite the endorsement from Mayor Halfacre on February 15th, in celebration of the business' ribbon cutting ceremony on the steps of the Lexington Chamber. Playing the role of "Doodles" during the event, Halfacre will sport one of the company's oversized, bright orange dog costumes...more

When Mike Kuehn-Hajder bought a DoodyCalls dog poop pickup franchise in 2008, he thought something was missing. Cat poop. So in between visits to scoop up dog waste from Twin Cities back yards, the 38-year-old Maple Grove resident devised a system to relieve cat owners of pet toilet duties, too...more

I was greeted on the phone by the friendly voice of Jacob D'Aniello, the founder and president of the company with whom I had a delightful chat about cat litter, litter boxes, and many of the reasons that some cat owners would choose to subscribe to a cat litter box cleaning service...more

A Charlottesville-based company has a cleaning solution for cat owners who don’t like to clean up their furry one’s waste. DoodyCalls, a national pet waste removal company, has expanded its services to help cat owners...more

Peninsula cat owners who are squeamish about cleaning out the litter box have reason to rejoice! Bay Area business owners, Rick and Paulette Nava of DoodyCalls have officially extended their pet poop-removal business to include cats...more

When Jeff Bolen’s contracting business turned to waste during the Great Recession, he turned to waste to diversify his income and revitalize his finances. Dog waste, that is...more

In the fall of 2007, we became customers of the DoodyCalls service (it was a gift for my wife). With our busy schedules following the birth of our son, we found time was limited...more

DoodyCalls, a Charlottesville, VA, business that specializes in dog-waste removal, has introduced something for cats — it's called The Doody Calls Complete Litter Box Service...more

DoodyCalls, the nation's trusted leader in dog-waste removal, will now offer litter box services...more

DoodyCalls, the nation's trusted leader in dog waste removal, is unveiling its newest program next week in Harford & North East Baltimore Counties -- The DoodyCalls Complete Litter Box Service...more

It's the rare pet owner who will tell you he or she enjoys cleaning up after the dog. That's especially true if the owner has more than one dog with free rein of the yard. For those pet owners who need a little extra help when it comes to cleaning up after their pet, DoodyCalls is their answer...more

Bay Area beaches have gained national fame this year, being marked as some of the most dangerously polluted in the nation...more

DoodyCalls Pet Waste removal not only specializes in number 2, the local company is also pitching in to help provide needy pets with some ... er ... material to work with...more

DoodyCalls Pet Waste Removal, a business in north Charlotte, is providing assistance to Second Harvest of Metrolina’s Pet Food Bank by shuttling barrels of pet food to and from participating pet food bank drop-off locations...more

Many entrepreneurs love the challenge of owning their own businesses, yet are drawn to owning franchises because of the security that comes from tapping into an existing, recognizable consumer brand. Owning a franchise is like “going into business for yourself, but not by yourself,” says Alisa Harrison, vice president of communications for the International Franchise Association...more

When doody calls, the Gormans answer. Lois and Mike Gorman, of El Dorado Hills, recently started their own business as owners of DoodyCalls. “We help people with busy schedules take care of the single-most unpleasant and time consuming aspect of pet ownership,” Mike Gorman said. “We’re the number one in the number two business.”...more

Fred Telmanowski wants to postpone retirement for at least five years, maybe longer. He was almost forced into it once, when he was laid off, but found his way back into the work force, and the 59-year-old wants to stay there — like many who’ve seen their nest eggs take a hit in the economic downturn...more

Laid off information-technology executive Mark Midtgaard wants to be No. 1 in No. 2. He has launched a franchise business where, for a fee, he will clean up after your pets ...more

Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of young adults opening franchises, according to David Cahn, founder of Franchise & Business Law Group, a boutique law firm in the Baltimore area that primarily represents early-stage franchisors and startup franchisees...more

Wilson's unlikely find and his noble decision to return the cash to its rightful owner has been celebrated by hundreds of news outlets. His employer has been overwhelmed with calls and there is even talk of an appearance on the Tonight Show...more

Who knew that money could become more valuable after it's been digested?...more

"It was right about here," Steve Wilson said, pointing with his yellow rake at a spot in the grass. Right about here, in this patch of lawn, he found $58 in piles of dog poop. And now this professional pooper-scooper is something close to famous...more

Pet waste removal is a dirty job -- so it's only fitting that Steve Wilson got compensated in dirty money...more

Steve Wilson was on a routine call to a home in St. Louis, Mo. It was a regular May day in the yard of his client, Karen Linn. A regular day picking up dog poop, that is...more

This is why your mother says to wash your hands after handling money. An employee of DoodyCalls Pet Waste Removal in St. Louis says he recently found $58 packed in dog poop, then returned the cash to the pooch's owner. But Steve Wilson says he sanitized the bills first...more

Picture the loveliest, most inviting thing you can imagine: the cool crispness of a bed made with freshly laundered sheets, the warm peach fuzz on a baby's head, the clink of ice cubes in a cocktail glass as you watch the sun set over the beach. Sadly, this column will not be about any of those things. No. I'm afraid it's time to talk about dog poop again...more

Joseph Gliottone has a quick comeback to his former advertising colleagues when they ask him about his new job picking up dog poop. "It's the same product category, but a different clientele."...more

“Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse,” laughed Fred Telmanowski. On New Year’s Eve 2008, Telmanowski’s employer of 30 years, Aon Risk Services, had a reduction in staff. Telmanowski, 58, was part of that downsizing. “After 30 years of consulting with the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, I found myself, for the first time in my life, unemployed.”...more

DoodyCalls has once again been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine in their annual Franchise 500 list as the number 1 ranked pet waste removal franchise in the United States. Published in January, the 2010 Franchise 500 list ranks the DoodyCalls franchise opportunity 100 positions higher than last year, with a current standing of 370....more

The unemployment rate may be north of 10%, but pet-product makers are booming. According to the National Pet Owners Survey, about 71 million U.S. households, or 62%, owned at least one pet in 2008, up from just 56% in 1988, the first year the survey was conducted...more

Yes, Virginia, there are folks who will come and pick up your dog’s poop. Just ask George Sichler, owner of DoodyCalls in Mount Kisco....more

DoodyCalls and its website DoodyCalls.com offer a slightly “different” business concept in that it is based on dog poop. Moreover, as a franchising concept, it would not seem to have a chance, but apparently it is working, plus it makes for an interesting good story...more

DoodyCalls, the pet-waste removal service, has opened seven new franchises so far this year and expects to have five more operating by year-end (five of the seven new franchisees were corporate executives last year). DoodyCalls topped 2008’s total sales numbers by June...more

After working in the hospitality industry for a number of years, Kevin realized he needed a change. From a young age he had always wanted to run a business of his own—that’s exactly what he set out to do and he has never looked back. At the same time, Jennifer was pregnant with their first child and decided that building a business was the best step forward their family could take. It’s been an adventure ever since!...more

When President Obama declared a National Day of Service on September 11th, the folks from DoodyCalls had already gotten a head start. Franchisees, employees and even the president of the pet waste removal franchise spent September 10th giving the National Mall a much-needed makeover by doing what they do best—scooping poop...more

They swoop in when marriage counselors have failed, when all negotiations have broken down and Congress can't step in to help. They are the nation’s poop scoopers...more

This time last year, Plum Island resident Joseph Gliottone was senior vice president of print production at one of the country’s largest advertising agencies in Boston. Today, Gliottone scoops dog poop...more

Broom in hand, trash can in tow, Mark Burnett arrived at Constitution Gardens on Thursday with a mission: Rid the Mall of poop...more

Frustrated with poor maintenance by the federal government, the group that built the Vietnam War memorial is aiming to improve its little corner of the National Mall by taking over lawn care for 13.5 acres marred by weeds, moss and brown spots...more

A business that deals with animal waste removal has volunteered to clean up accumulated animal waste along the Mall and Reflecting Pool. Fifteen DoodyCalls waste removal operators from the Washington area have volunteered to sweep the Mall at no cost to the taxpayers...more

There's no stopping it. If the latest generation has its way, the work force that fuels tomorrow's small businesses may largely be a stay-at-home crowd...more

DoodyCalls, a Charlottesville, Virginia-based pet waste removal franchise, is actively seeking pet waste acquisitions in the consolidating pet industry. The privately held company is interested in targets that it can convert into both corporate and franchise locations to expand its US footprint....more

Duty calls, so DOODYCALLS, providers of quality pooper-scooper service to homeowners and communities, is scooping up funds from good folks like you to help Bay Area police dogs....more

Dogs impact community ecology in a number of ways, according to Carol Frischman, science educator and author of Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care. Beyond waste concerns, which often dominate dog discussions, Frischman explains, "Pets in dog parks create 'trampling' and elimination of the surface plants that prevent water run off, which creates erosion...more

So now that I have been prompted and am supported by city law, I will get on my soap box about pet waste. I used to live where I shared parking and dog-walking space with my neighbors. It drove me crazy that my neighbors would leave their dog's waste in the parking lot, where inevitably, at least once a week, I would step in it on my way to the car. Grrrrr...more

The Western States Police Canine Association, pet-waste removal company DoodyCalls, and 34 Pet Food Express locations in the Bay Area are teaming up to host a dog-washing fundraiser with all proceeds going to outfit police K9s with bullet-proof vests and help pay the medical bills of retired animals...more

In rough economic times, Lashelle and Mark Davis have cut back on treats like date nights, their outings to New York City from their Westchester County home for dinner and a show. But Mrs. Davis has made it clear that there is one luxury she will not give up: her professional pooper scooper....more | PDF...

Some might say that Christi Sharp’s business is going to the dogs. Accustomed to working indoors as a court reporter, the Port Orange resident now steps into a pair of green clogs, snaps on gloves and heads into clients’ yards to scoop dog poop...more

Scooper in hand, Kevin Mahoney scrutinized the dew-sopped lawn with the intensity of a pirate seeking buried treasure. The 39-year-old Valley View Lane resident was looking for booty, but of a more, uh, ripe sort. Mahoney is the owner of DoodyCalls, a pet waste disposal franchise whose employees boldly go where pet owners fear to tread, especially in bare feet: The back yard....more

...DoodyCalls fits into the Meeks' lifestyle; their love for the outdoors and animals. They saw the need for a pet waste removal service in the area and were inspired by the growing and profitable business of DoodyCalls.

Dogs and their people are all invited to come to the charity dog wash brought to you by Smyrna Doody Calls; the professional pooper scoopers of Rutherford County and Kelton’s Pet Supply Store...more

...With a list of about 100 customers, Mr. Sheehy recently hired his first full-time employee and hopes to dump his day job and fix his focus on feces by June of next year...more

Conway, based in Warwick, owns a franchise for a national company called DoodyCalls, which picks up the digestive waste that pets leave behind. Driving a lime-green truck with the company logo on it, Conway will come to your yard, scoop the poop your dog has left behind, bag it, and leave it in your garbage. Cost is about $15 per weekly visit, depending on the size of the yard and the number of dogs...more | PDF...

“I like working with animals and with the environment,” Doug Barnhart said. “Even though picking up poop for a living is challenging, I like the money.” His fee depends on the number of dogs in the yard, its size, and how many times he cleans it a week...more | PDF...

[DoodyCalls] is looking for new franchise owners and clients ”Anywhere there are people that place value on their time,” says Mr. D’Aniello...more...

“…I saw the success my niece and nephew were having, and was amazed by the income potential of DoodyCalls and the freedom to run the business from home”...more...

When duty calls and the duty is dirty, who you gonna call? Call DoodyCalls. Equipped with rakes, shovels and bags, DoodyCalls’ professional scoopers let pet owners wash their hands of the whole clean-up business...more...

DoodyCalls founder Jacob D’Aniello sees pet waste removal as a natural extension of the services green industry companies already offer their customers...more...

For business owners, time is an especially precious commodity. That's why some are choosing not to spend those moments on the less rewarding details of daily life, like picking up after pooches...more...

Rick Nava, who owns a local Doody Calls pooper scooper service, is raising money to equip as many Peninsula police dogs with bullet-resistant vests as he can...more...

When Bobby visits the home of his new boss, Peter Sterling, he finds him living in a mansion with a girlfriend more drop-dead gorgeous than Betty Rubble on her best day. Sterling gives Bobby this advice: “You don't get rich doing what you love. You get rich doing something no one else wants to do.”

Jacob and Susan D'Aniello, both 30 and graduates of the University of Virginia, are finding this King of the Hill advice on the road to success is right on...more...

NOTE: This story includes a great video, “Cleaning Up After Others Makes Some Filthy Rich.”

The Harford County resident decided that, at age 58, he had a better chance of starting his own business than being hired by another company. He began researching business opportunities when he got his calling; DoodyCalls, a pet waste removal company...listen...

Having a pet is a wonderful thing, the unconditional love of a dog, the feistiness of a cat, but cleaning up after Chi-Chi or Charlie is something less than wonderful - until now...listen...

With all the snow around, dog walkers might not make it a priority to scoop their pooches' poop. And they could be breaking the law. Listen: Real Audio | Windows Media

The winter weather brings certain dangers, from heavy winds to icy roads. But local dog owners can do their part to prevent one potential pitfall of the season. Listen: Real Audio | Windows Media

Joe Gliottone, DoodyCalls franchise owner, appeared on “The Morning Watch” program.

Starting this week, a business specializing in creatures “doing their business” is volunteering to clean up animal waste on the National Mall. Listen: Real Audio | Windows Media

You may have heard how the National Mall is kind of run down or losing its luster. That's why a number of volunteer maintenance workers are taking things into their own hands—so to speak—gardening, steam-cleaning and removing goose-poop...more...

Although the National Mall is getting $50 million to spend on improvements, one company is volunteering to “pick up” where other projects leave off. Listen: Real Audio | Windows Media

That’s when I remembered hearing about a company that actually offers pet-waste removal services. I decided to get in touch with our local DoodyCalls specialist, Jack Sheehy. Certainly he’d be able to shed some light on this dark and smelly topic...more

When Corinne tells people about her job, she can tell people she has “the scoop,” as journalists like to say – a scoop about poop. “My job is to scoop up dog poop,” she says. Corinne doesn’t do it because she likes dog poop...more

In these tough financial times, you have to make your money any way you can. And if that includes extricating some cash from the recently deposited canine feces, well... okay, that's a bit gross. But that didn't stop a man in St. Louis from doing it...more

Karen Linn, who owns money-eater Fozzie the Dog, is auctioning the unusable bills on eBay, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Humane Society of the United States...more

It goes without saying that the St. Louis citizen of the year for 2010 should be Steve Wilson of DoodyCalls, a dog waste removal service...more

This is why your mother says to wash your hands after handling money. An employee of DoodyCalls Pet Waste Removal in St. Louis says he recently found $58 packed in dog poop, then returned the cash to the pooch's owner...more

You never know what you’ll find when scooping dog poop. Steve Wilson, who works for Doody Calls Pet Waste Removal System, in St. Louis, recently saw something odd sticking out of a pile of poop...more

"It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it! Amazing that you went from a straight-laced corporate job to something rather low-tech...and much more rewarding. Bravo!" -- Mitchell York, Entrepreneurs Guide...more

57. For pet owners, what greater luxury is there than a life without poop? Because your clients have better things to do with their time, give a DoodyCalls gift card this holiday season and let them wash their hands clean of the whole clean up business...more