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Contact us at psi@pacshell.org about presenting the impacts of pet waste on Puget Sound water quality.

Scoopy Doo! A Pet Waste Education Campaign, Thurston County

Purpose or Scope:

The primary goals of this project are to increase public knowledge of the impacts of pet waste on bacterial pollution in Puget Sound and to encourage responsible disposal practices among pet owners. This project covered high priority 2015 goal for aquaculture training, education and outreach.

Approach:

The overall approach was to: 1) design and conduct presentations for the Henderson Inlet Community Shellfish Farm (HICSF) and neighborhood association meetings located within Henderson Inlet watershed; 2) distribute brochures using "Scoopy Doo," the campaign mascot, at community events; 3) gather signatures from citizens pledging their commitment to protect the health of Puget Sound through responsible pet waste disposal practices, and 4) advertise the campaign message on buses serving routes within the Henderson Inlet Shellfish Protection District.

Progress:

Over a dozen presentations have been delivered to neighborhood associations and small group gatherings at the HICSF. Working together with South Sound GREEN and the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, over 50 additional hands-on presentations were offered to K-12 school kids at the HICSF. The Scoopy Doo mascot has distributed brochures at Earth Day Under the Big Top, Lacey's annual Spring Fun Fairs, the Samish Bay Bivalve Bash and The Olympian's Pet Parades. Hundreds of signatures have been collected from pet owners pledging to pick up their pet's waste. The campaign message is advertised on Intercity Transit bus signs serving routes located throughout the cities of Lacey and Olympia and on banners across Capitol Way and State Street Avenue in downtown Olympia. Conservation District Assessment funds have also allowed distribution of brochures/posters to 50 veterinary clinics and pet supply retailers in Thurston County. This project has also resulted in a spin-off project funded by the Russell Family Foundation Environmental Sustainability grant program. The project is titled: Promoting Pet Waste Education – a “one-size-fits all” approach.

Project Partners:

  • Puget Sound Restoration Fund
  • South Sound GREEN, Olympia, WA
  • Thurston County Environmental Health, Olympia, WA
  • Taylor Shellfish, Shelton, WA
  • Chelsea Sea Farms, Olympia, WA

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