Mr. Pick's Pet Waste Removal FAQs
Pet Waste Removal FAQs
The most common questions we hear from dog owners across Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Venice, and North Port, answered straight, no fluff. (LAST UPDATED: May, 2026)
Pricing & Plans
How much does pet waste removal cost in Sarasota?
Weekly service starts at $19.99 per visit for one dog in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, North Port, Parrish, Bradenton, Venice, and Nokomis. Pricing scales based on dog count, yard size, and how often you want us out. Biweekly and monthly visits are priced higher per trip than weekly because there’s more to scoop each time. One-time cleanups for “we got really behind” situations are quoted separately based on how long it’s been.
Want an exact quote? Drop your zip and dog count into our online quote tool and you’ll have a price in about 60 seconds…no phone call, no pressure.
Why does weekly cost less per visit than monthly?
It comes down to volume per visit. More time between visits means more buildup, longer scooping time, and more poop to dispose of , so the per-visit price goes up as the frequency goes down. Weekly customers also get the first cleanup free, which monthly and biweekly plans don’t include. If you’re trying to keep total cost down while keeping the yard genuinely clean, weekly is almost always the better deal.
Not sure which frequency fits? Tell us how many dogs you have and we’ll recommend the best plan that actually keeps up with them.
Do you charge extra for big yards or multiple dogs?
Pricing is based on the frequency of service and the number of dogs. Our standard pricing is based on a 1/8 acres (or less) yard. An 1/8 acre covers most yards, but if you’re unsure of your exact yard size, don’t worry, we can help confirm and give you an accurate price. We charge slightly more for larger yards just given the additional time it takes to do a full, complete, and thorough sweep. Our pricing for larger yards includes the standard monthly base price plus $30/month for 1/4 acre, $50/month for 1/3 acre, $70/month for 1/2 acre, etc.
For a specific quote please get in touch here and we’ll provide you with an exact price.
Is there a sign-up fee or a cancellation fee?
No sign-up fee, no cancellation fee, no contracts, no hidden charges. Pause, skip a week, or cancel any time through your customer portal. We earn your business with quality every visit, not by trapping you with fine print. If you decide to cancel, you don’t owe us a thing beyond your last completed service.
If you’ve been burned by a franchise or a contract before, that’s exactly why we built it this way!
Scheduling & Reliability
What day of the week will you come, and will it be the same every time?
Yes! Same day, every time. Weekly customers get a fixed day (e.g., every Monday). Biweekly customers get a fixed day on a fixed cadence (e.g., every other Friday). Monthly customers get a fixed date (e.g., the 10th of every month). Same-day reliability is core to how we run the business. You’ll know exactly when to expect us, and we send a heads-up text on the way and a photo confirmation when we’re done.
What happens if I'm going on vacation or want to skip a week?
Just let us know through your customer portal or shoot us a text or email…no fees, no hassle, no awkward calls. Pause for one visit, a few weeks, the whole summer if you’re a snowbird heading north, whatever you need. When you’re ready to resume, hit unpause and we’ll be back on your regular day. Many of our customers pause and it’s never been an issue.
Snowbird heading back north in the summer? Tell us your return date when you pause and we’ll auto-resume so you don’t have to remember.
Can I switch from biweekly to weekly (or the other way around) later?
Yes, switch any time. Most of our customers actually start biweekly, then upgrade to weekly within a month or two once they realize how much better the yard looks (and smells) with more frequent visits. Downgrading also works fine, sometimes folks scale back during dry season or when the dogs are traveling with them. Just let us know through the portal and we’ll adjust your next visit.
Not sure which to start with? Try weekly for the first month: your first cleanup’s free and you can always drop down later.
What happens to my service during a hurricane?
We pause service for safety and reschedule the visit at no extra charge as soon as it’s safe to be outside again. Tropical storms, lightning, and hurricane warnings are the only weather events that stop us (regular Florida rain and heat don’t). After a hurricane, yards usually need extra cleanup (debris, displaced waste, multi-week buildup), so we’ll quote any catch-up work transparently before doing it.
If you’re prepping for a storm, tell us when you secure your yard and we’ll get you back on schedule the moment it’s safe.
Do you offer a seasonal pause for snowbirds?
Yes! Seasonal pauses are one of our most common requests. Hit pause when you fly out, set your return date, and we’ll auto-resume on your regular day when you’re back. No reactivation fees, no losing your spot. Many of our snowbird customers pause from May through October and pick right back up in November like they never left.
Heading north for the season? Tell us your departure and return dates when you sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
What To Expect During Service
Do I need to be home when you come to scoop?
Nope! Most of our customers aren’t. As long as we have access to your yard (an unlocked gate or a code), we’ll handle everything and lock up behind us. After every visit, we send you a photo of your closed gate so you know your dog is safe to head back outside. We also text when we’re on the way and again when we’re done.
If a locked gate or a tricky access situation has held you back from hiring someone before, just tell us about it when you sign up (trust us, we’ve seen it all!)
How do I know you'll actually pick up everything in my yard?
This is the #1 thing customers tell us their last service messed up. Our techs walk every section of your yard on every visit in a grid-like pattern (similar to how you mow a lawn), that includes wherever the dogs’ might do their business: front, back, side, around the AC unit, behind the shed, the lot. If you ever spot something we missed, let us know within 24-48 hours and we’ll come back and fix it free. That’s the whole deal.
New to us? Sign up for any weekly service in Sarasota or Manatee County and your first cleanup is free — no risk to see if we live up to it.
What if my dog is in the yard when you arrive?
We can work with dogs in the yard, but we prefer they’re inside or in a separate area for safety. Most customers either bring the dog in when they get our “on the way” text, or set up a routine where the dog goes in the crate or front yard during the visit. If your dog is friendly and you’d rather we say hi (with permission, treats optional), just note it on your account.
Got a reactive or anxious dog? Tell us when you signup and we’ll make it work without stressing them out.
Where do you put the bagged waste...in my trash can or do you take it with you?
Standard service: we double-bag the waste and place it in your curbside trash can. Pet waste is considered hazardous in Florida and has to be bagged properly for landfill disposal. Don’t want it in your bin between trash days? We offer haul-away for $4.99 per visit. We take the waste with us, cover all dumping fees, and your bin stays clean. Just add it to your service when you sign up or any time after.
Do you provide service for cat waste, or only dogs?
We focus exclusively on dog waste removal. We don’t service indoor litter boxes, outdoor cat waste, or other animals; partly for sanitation reasons (cat waste carries different pathogens like toxoplasmosis) and partly because our process is built around yard scooping rather than litter changes. If you have a multi-pet household, we’ll handle the dog side and recommend a separate service for cats if you need one.
Have a yard that’s mostly dog with the occasional surprise from a stray? We’ll still handle it, just let us know what to expect.
What if my yard is mostly artificial turf or rocks?
We service all surfaces: artificial turf, mulch, rocks, gravel, pavers, concrete, and natural grass. Each surface has its quirks (turf holds urine smell more than grass, rocks make small piles harder to spot, mulch can mask older waste), so our process adjusts. For artificial turf especially, we strongly recommend pairing scooping with our Wysiwash deodorizing treatment which is the difference between “looks clean” and “actually clean.”
Got artificial turf? Mention it when you book and we’ll include a deodorizing quote with your service.
Safety & Trust
Is your service safe for my dogs and kids?
Yes and we take this very seriously. We sanitize our tools and shoes between every property with a pet-safe disinfectant to maintain hygiene and avoid tracking debris from yard to yard. All Mr. Pick’s team members are background-checked. For yards that need a deeper clean (especially artificial turf or hot-spot potty areas) we offer a Wysiwash sanitizing treatment. Wysiwash is an EPA-registered hospital-grade sanitizer that helps prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses including canine parvovirus, giardia, E. coli, salmonella, MRSA, leptospira, and feline calicivirus and it’s safe to use around pets, plants, and kids once the surface dries.
If your dog is a puppy, a rescue, or unvaccinated, mention it when you book and we’ll include a Wysiwash treatment quote with your starter price.
Are your team members background-checked and insured?
Yes to both. Every Mr. Pick’s team member passes a background check before stepping into a customer’s yard, and the business carries Pet Care Commercial General Liability insurance through Lloyd’s of London covering bodily injury, property damage, and animal-bailee exposure during waste removal operations. Mr. Pick’s Pet Waste Removal LLC is a registered Florida company (not a 1099 side hustle!). If anything ever goes sideways, you have a real, local, insured business standing behind the work.
Want to see proof of insurance? Just ask, we’re happy to send a Certificate of Insurance over.
What happens if my dog gets out or there's an accident?
We take gate security extremely seriously and that’s why we send a photo of your closed and latched gate after every visit. If something ever did happen (a dog escape, property damage, or an injury caused by our operations) our commercial general liability insurance is built for exactly that scenario, and we’d handle it with you directly and quickly. We’d also do a full review of what happened so it never happens twice. In practice, the gate-photo system has made escapes essentially a non-issue across our entire customer base.
If you have a known escape artist, tell us when you sign up and we’ll add extra steps to your account.
Different Situations We Handle
Will you come out in Florida's rain, heat, and summer storms?
Yes, we work year-round in any weather that’s safe to be outside in. Lightning, tropical storms, and hurricane warnings are the only things that pause us, and in those cases we reschedule to the next available day at no extra charge. Florida’s heat and humidity are exactly why most of our customers hire us, so we don’t disappear when it gets sticky.
Tired of putting off the yard because it’s 95° and humid? Get an instant quote and we can usually start within the week.
Can I just get a one-time cleanup before a party or family visit?
Yes, one-time cleanups are one of our most-requested services, usually before a birthday party, BBQ, baby shower, family visiting from up north, a yard listing photo, or an Airbnb turnover. Pricing depends on how long it’s been since the yard was last scooped, so we’ll quote you up front with no surprises. One thing worth knowing: a one-time cleanup is priced higher than a regular visit because there’s more buildup to handle, while weekly customers get their first cleanup free. So if you’ve been on the fence about a recurring service anyway, weekly can actually be the cheaper way to handle a pre-event cleanup. Either option works and we’ll help you figure out which makes more sense for your situation.
Got an event coming up? Tell us the date and how often you’re thinking about service, and we’ll quote both options so you can compare.
I just had a baby (or surgery, or a bad back)...can you help me catch up on a yard that's gotten bad?
This is one of the most common situations we walk into, and there’s zero judgment. New parents, post-surgery customers, pregnant moms, and folks with bad knees or backs make up a huge chunk of who we serve. We’ll do a thorough first cleanup to get your yard back to zero, then either come back regularly or just check in when you need us again.
Send us a photo of the worst spot and your zip code and we’ll quote a recovery cleanup and a maintenance plan in the same reply.
What about the smell and the flies, can you actually fix that, not just scoop?
Scooping handles 90% of it, but in Florida the heat bakes urine and residue into grass and turf, which keeps the smell going even after the visible piles are gone. For those yards we add a Wysiwash sanitizing and deodorizing treatment at $9.99 per application weekly, $12.99 biweekly, or $19.99 monthly. Wysiwash is EPA-registered and helps prevent the spread of canine parvovirus, giardia, E. coli, salmonella, and other bacteria and viruses — and it actually breaks down odor molecules at the source instead of masking them. Most customers notice the difference within a day or two.
If smell is the main reason you’re looking, mention it when you book and we’ll include a Wysiwash quote with your starter price.
We just got a puppy...can your service help reduce parvo and giardia risk in our yard?
A new puppy in Florida is exactly when yard hygiene matters most — parvo can survive in soil for months, and Florida’s warmth and humidity speed transmission. Our Wysiwash treatment is EPA-registered effective against canine parvovirus, giardia, leptospira, and other pathogens commonly found in yards, and it’s safe to use around puppies once dry. We always recommend talking to your vet about your specific situation, but adding regular scooping plus a Wysiwash treatment to a vaccination schedule is one of the more practical things you can do for a new puppy’s outdoor environment.
New puppy in the family? Tell us when you book and we’ll include a Wysiwash treatment quote in your starter pricing.
Commercial & HOA
Do you offer pooper scooper service for HOAs and apartment communities in Lakewood Ranch?
Yes. We work with HOAs, condo communities, and dog-friendly apartments across Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, and the surrounding areas. We handle common-area scooping, install and maintain pet waste stations (bag refills, can liner swaps, cleanup around the station), and provide service reports for property managers and boards. Plans are tailored to the size of the area being serviced and frequency.
On a board or managing a property? We’ll do a free walkthrough and put together a plan you can take to your next board meeting. Plus, if you need a dog waste station installing, we’ll do it for free if you sign up for a recurring service!
Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance for our HOA or property management company?
Yes, we provide Certificates of Insurance for every commercial account (HOAs, apartment communities, property management companies, condo associations) before service starts. Our coverage includes commercial general liability, animal bailee coverage during waste removal operations, and all team members are background-checked W-2 employees of Mr. Pick’s Pet Waste Removal LLC. We can list your community as an additional insured on request.
Property manager or HOA board member? Email hello@mr-picks.com and we’ll send a COI within one business day.
Comparison & Decision
Why should I choose a local Sarasota service over a national franchise?
Three reasons our customers tell us. First, when you call, you get Dan or Austin, not a call center in another state. Second, we live here and know the neighborhoods (which streets flood, which HOAs require what, which gates stick). Third, your money stays in Sarasota and Manatee counties instead of going to a corporate parent. We’re not a franchise, there’s no royalty layer, and we’re answerable directly to the people whose yards we scoop.
Worth a try? First cleanup’s free with any weekly service. See the difference yourself!
Is it worth hiring someone instead of just doing it myself?
Honest answer: depends on what your time and energy are worth. Most of our customers say the math became obvious when they realized they were spending 2–4 hours a month dreading the chore, arguing about whose turn it was, or letting it pile up until the yard was unusable. At $19.99 a week for a one-dog weekly plan, that’s less than most people spend on coffee and you get your weekends back.
Not sure yet? Try one cleanup and see how the yard feels afterward. No commitment, no contract.
Comparison & Decision
Do you service my neighborhood?
We cover most of Sarasota County and Manatee County, including: Sarasota (downtown, Indian Beach, Sapphire Shores, Gulf Gate, Palmer Ranch, the Meadows), Lakewood Ranch (all villages including Country Club East, Esplanade, Waterside), Bradenton (West Bradenton, East Bradenton, downtown), Venice, North Port, Parrish, Palmetto, Siesta Key, and Longboat Key. Siesta Key and Longboat Key carry a premium zone surcharge.
Drop your zip into our coverage checker and you’ll know in 5 seconds if we’re in your area.
Extras
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes, and gift certificates have become a surprisingly popular Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and anniversary gift. “Stop scooping for a month” is the kind of practical gift that actually gets used. Certificates can be applied to any service plan (weekly, biweekly, monthly, or one-time cleanups). Just contact us with the recipient’s address, your preferred amount, and any message you’d like included.
Looking for a gift that won’t end up in a drawer? Email hello@mr-picks.com and we’ll set it up the same day.
Can I refer a friend or family member?
Yes , we love referrals and reward them. Every time someone you refer signs up for a weekly service, both you and your friend get a credit applied to your account. No paperwork, no codes, just have your friend mention your name when they get a quote. Most of our growth has come from existing customers telling neighbors and dog-park friends, which we appreciate more than we can say.
Got a neighbor whose yard is rough? Send them our way and we’ll take care of both of you.
How do I know if my yard is "too far gone"?
Nothing is too far gone. We’ve handled yards that hadn’t been touched in months. The longer it’s been, the longer the first cleanup takes, but we’ll quote it transparently and get your yard back to zero before recurring service starts. Don’t be embarrassed; it’s literally what we do, and we’ve seen worse than whatever you’re imagining. That’s why “we got really behind” is one of the most common things we hear on the first call.
If you’re worried it’s too bad, send us a photo. We’ll quote a recovery cleanup and a maintenance plan in the same reply. No judgment.
Still Have Questions?
Shoot us an email at hello@mr-picks.com or text/call us at (941) 477-0123. If you are looking for a quote, get an instant quote here and Dan or Austin will shoot you a text with a quote within minutes!
Why Mr. Pick’s?
We’re not a national franchise — we’re Dan Gibson and Austin Chambers, two local guys who founded Mr. Pick’s in December 2024 with a simple mission: make life cleaner and more convenient for pet owners in our community.
Every service is backed by our P.A.W.S. Promise:
- Professional & Punctual — We show up on time, every time, and communicate proactively before and after every visit.
- Attention to Detail — We don’t cut corners. Every inch of your yard or property gets a thorough sweep.
- Work with Integrity — We do the right thing even when no one’s watching, from sanitizing equipment between visits to securing gates behind us.
- Safety & Security — Your pets’ safety is our top priority. We send gate closure photos, background-check every employee, and sanitize everything between jobs.
Get Started Today
Ready for a cleaner yard or a cleaner property? Getting started takes less than two minutes.
Homeowners: Get a free instant quote online and your first cleanup is on us.
Businesses & Property Managers: Contact us directly for a custom commercial quote tailored to your property.
→ Get a Free Instant Quote → Contact Us → Call: (941) 477-0123 → Email: hello@mr-picks.com
