Creature Companion - Interzoo Special September 2019 | Page 16

Responsible Pet Ownership SCOOP THE POOP ! CLEANING UP AFTER YOUR PETS By Priyanka Tanwar * Y ou would be amazed by the number of pet owners who leave their pet’s poop lying around their neighbourhoods. It is a dirty, stinky and unsightly situation that ruins the aesthetic beauty of well groomed lawns and poses numerous health risks to residents. Pet excrement is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria; worms like hookworms and roundworms; viruses and parasites that can cause severe health issues in human beings such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches and toxicariasis. These infectious agents can persist in contaminated soil and water for several years. Rainwater can wash off infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses and toxicants from pet faeces and contaminate waterways like ponds, lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. These agents can pollute both marine and freshwater ecosystems. They result in algal blooms which can withdraw oxygen from water and pose a threat to aquatic flora and fauna. Additionally, polluted waterways make recreational areas like beaches and river banks unsafe for leisure pursuits like fishing, camping, swimming, bathing and aquatic sports such as river rafting. Children are more at risk from these potential health hazards as they do not realise the consequences of coming into contact with pet waste. Many kids have the habit of not washing hands properly Rodents thrive on pet faeces and unattended pet waste can serve as a common Pet waste is a serious environmental menace, being one of the major sources of soil and water pollution worldwide. Contrary to popular belief, dog and cat excrement DOES NOT act as a natural fertiliser for soil enrichment. Furthermore, accumulating feline or canine waste in one particular area on the ground can leave a deleterious impact on the overall soil quality. 16 after play which further complicates the situation. Leaving contaminated pet waste in the backyard also leaves pets at a higher risk of catching infections again. Creature Companion | September 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 9 • Noida food source to a host of rodents such as rats, squirrels, rabbits, weasels, beavers, guinea pigs and hamsters. Their infestation not only decreases the property value of the entire residential area but also adds to the health concerns faced by the local inhabitants. As part of the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan initiative, municipal corporations of many cities across India have issued notifications to penalise pet owners found littering public places. The Animal Welfare Board of India has also advised Resident Welfare Associations of gated housing societies to come up with innovative ways to keep the neighbourhood clean. This environmental issue has a very straightforward solution. Just scoop the