What to Do With Pet Waste

Scoop it, bag it and trash it... even in your yard!

Here's the problem: We have more than 125,000 dogs and 60,000 outdoor cats in Seattle. That amounts to about 50,000 pounds of pet waste every day!

There are bacteria and micro-organisms in pet waste, such as Roundworms, E. coli, and Giardia that can make people sick if they're ingested. Some can last in your yard for as long as four years if not cleaned up. Children who play outside and adults who garden are at greatest risk of infection. Left on streets, curb strips and in yards and parks, pet waste can be carried by rainwater to storm drains and into our creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound without treatment.

What should I do?

  • Scoop your dog’s poop, put it in a plastic bag, seal it, and throw it in the garbage, not in the yard waste.
  • Cat litter should be bagged and placed in the trash. Do not flush it down the toilet.

Related Resources

 

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from Public Utilities

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.