ADRIAN — Armed with rakes, plastic bags, industrial dust pans, and a healthy dose of good humor, Austin and Jeslyn McMullen are setting out to free local pet lovers from one of the less pleasant aspects of dog ownership: cleaning up their yards after the dogs do their business.

It all started last year when their newly adopted Labrador Retriever, Izzy, unexpectedly turned out to be pregnant. Instead of two dogs, they suddenly found themselves with 13. Both lifelong dog lovers, they didn’t mind having more furry companions around — but they also had a whole lot of poop to clean up.

At some point, Jeslyn saw a Facebook post asking if anybody in the area did dog cleanup. Initially, she just thought that if that person existed, she’d like to hire them. But then the wheels started turning, and she thought: “We could do this. It doesn’t gross us out anymore.”

All but one of Izzy’s puppies have now been rehomed, but the experience of having — and cleaning up after — 13 dogs led them to create a new business. They started Doggy Doo Duty in June, and since then, business has been picking up — literally.

Clients prepay for a month at a time. The fee varies based on the size of the area to be cleaned, how many dogs are in the home, and how often the client wants them to come by. 

Calling themselves the “pooper troopers,” the McMullens come to each client’s home on a regular schedule, scoop the poop from their yards, and leave the bags in the client’s trash can. Most of their clients opt for once a week, but they can clean more often if requested.

They emphasize both consistency and communication. They’ll even text clients a photo of their closed gate when they leave, just for a little extra peace of mind.

Most of their clients are in Adrian and Tecumseh, but they’re open to serving the entire Lenawee County area.

To learn more about Doggy Doo Duty, call or text 517-815-9770 or email [email protected].