What’s Your Doggy Doo Doing?
When pet waste is left on the ground, rain and snowmelt can wash it into storm drains or directly into waterways. This “stormwater runoff” can contaminate our sources of drinking water. Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey estimate that animal waste is to blame for 20 to 30 percent of water pollution in America. Animal waste breeds harmful bacteria, promotes excessive plant growth, and causes algae blooms, which can kill fish and other animals.
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Designed by Frank McShane
What we are doo-ing
Philly Water Best Friend – Partner Program
Together with the Philadelphia Water Department, we’re partnering with shelters, animal clinics, and dog rescues around the City of Philadelphia to provide dog owners with free waste bags and baggie dispensers! Each partner will also have educational materials to share with both new and existing pet owners.
Below is a list of our 2021 Philly Water Best Friend partners:
ACCT Philly
Emancipet
Morris Animal Refuge
Pennsylvania SPCA
Pets for Life
Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
Saved Me Rescue
Street Tails Animal Rescue
Spokesdog Competition
In 2019, PDE and the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) worked to combat dog waste in a creative way: a Spokesdog competition. Following a four-year hiatus, this competition returned with a social media campaign and special focus on shelter animals by partnering with Morris Animal Refuge. Four local pups were selected by Morris for the competition and local dog lovers got to pick their favorite with likes on Facebook, Instagram, and Tw
While Dolphina has been doing an excellent job at educating the public about the harm of leaving dog waste behind, it is time for a new pup to take over the role of Spokesdog! The Spokesdog Competition is back for the spring of 2021, featuring adoptable shelter dogs from Morris Animal Refuge, Pennsylvania SPCA, and the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Check out @DelawareEstuary on Facebook, Instagram, and Tw
Check out a video about Morris Animal Shelter’s participation in the 2019 Spokesdog Competition:
Unsure about the connection between scooping poop and clean water? Visit phillyh2o.info/dog-waste
Check out our previous pageants and winners on our flickr page.
Contact us if you’d like to launch a similar campaign.