The UK’s largest dog welfare charity Dogs Trust has teamed up with Keep Britain Tidy to launch the first-ever The Big Scoop on June 14, when all around the UK there will be events and activities promoting poop scooping.
Celebrities Ben Fogle and Kirstie Allsopp are supporting the campaign to encourage responsible ownership when it comes to cleaning up after a dog.
Up and down the country local authorities spend millions of pounds each year on cleaning up dog mess and many communities are suffering the consequences of the minority of those irresponsible dog owners.
Whether you’re a council or a community group, a vet or a school, or if you simply want to show your support as an individual, there are plenty of ways to get involved or even organise your own Big Scoop event.
The Big Scoop is an opportunity to remind every dog owner that they need to ‘Bag it and bin it’.
Top tips to create your own Big Scoop event
1. Put your thinking cap on - what kind of event would you like to organise? Are you envisaging something rather big with a marquee, tables, games and activities…or maybe more low key such as a couple of members of staff walking around key areas in your community, handing out poop bags and info on dog fouling? Both can be equally effective - so consider what you think would work best for your community as well as your budget, staffing and location.
2. Where could you hold your event? In a park, outside a community centre, on an estate? Have you already got events that are happening that day that you could piggy-back on?
3. Invite others to take action with you! Use the Big Scoop resources (posters and flyers) to help you build awareness and publicity for your event. Maybe organise support from school or community groups to come out on the event on the day.
4. Think of something to attract the public on the day - people wearing the eye-catching Super Scooper Capes and giving out badges and poop bags is a good start. Or how about running a competition in the local paper to get people to come along on the day?
You can order free Big Scoop materials by clicking here