The short answer: The St. Louis dog waste removal market went through a major shakeup in 2025–2026. Several national franchises — including POOP 911 and DoodyCalls — pulled back from the St. Louis metro entirely. What's left is mostly local operators. This guide breaks down who's still active, what they charge, and what makes one service better than another.
Full disclosure: we're Tidy Tails. We wrote this guide. We've tried to be accurate and fair about the competition, but you should factor that in. The comparison data below reflects public pricing and customer reviews as of early 2026.
What Happened to the St. Louis Dog Waste Market?
Two years ago, St. Louis had 8+ active dog waste removal services. By early 2026, most of them are gone. Here's the quick recap:
Gone from St. Louis metro (as of 2026): POOP 911 (pulled out of STL after 180+ reviews), DoodyCalls (national franchise, no longer operating here), Dog Doody Defenders (website dead March 2026), Dirty Dog Waste, Little Stinkers, Pawfect Pet Services, Poopy Paws, Doggie Doodies. That's 8 services that either closed or left. Their customers are all looking for someone new.
What this means for you: there are fewer options than there used to be. The services that are still operating have essentially no competition for large parts of the metro — especially North County (Florissant, Hazelwood, Ferguson), where there are effectively zero active competitors to Tidy Tails as of this writing.
75-150+
Estimated orphaned customers in St. Louis looking for a new service after POOP 911 and DoodyCalls exited
If your old service disappeared — you're not alone. This is why wait times are short and local services are prioritizing new customers.
Who's Still Active in St. Louis (2026)
Based on active websites, recent reviews, and confirmed operations as of early 2026, these are the services still running in St. Louis:
What We Do Well
- Flat monthly rate — same price regardless of yard size
- "On My Way" text before every visit — you always know when we're there
- "All Done" text when finished — no guessing
- Owner (Jamie) does the work — not a franchise subcontractor
- No contracts — cancel anytime with a text
- Full St. Louis County + St. Charles County coverage
- Waste removed off your property entirely
- North County specialist — Florissant, Hazelwood, Ferguson actively served
Honest Limitations
- Newer service (~1 year in business) — fewer reviews than established franchises had
- Single operator — not a large crew with backup staff
- Wait time possible during peak spring season
Why we're the top pick: In a market where most services have disappeared or pulled back, Tidy Tails is actively expanding. The flat-rate pricing eliminates the surprise bills that per-visit services create. The "On My Way" / "All Done" text system means you always know Jamie was there and actually did the job — no guessing. And unlike national franchises, you're texting the actual person who cleans your yard. Call or text (314) 850-7140.
Pros
- Competitive pricing — similar to Tidy Tails monthly equivalent
- South County focus — knows the territory
- Local operator
Cons
- Coverage area appears limited — North County not confirmed
- No public flat-rate guarantee found
- Communication system (do they text before arriving?) unclear
- Fewer public reviews to evaluate reliability
Pros
- Active and operational
- Competitive per-visit pricing
- Good option if coverage confirmed in your area
Cons
- Per-visit pricing can add up vs. flat monthly rate
- Newer service — limited track record
- Coverage area less clearly defined than established operators
- No flat monthly rate alternative found
Potential Pros
- National brand recognition
- Standardized franchise system
Concerns
- No local reviews yet — reliability unproven in STL
- Franchise = you talk to a subcontractor, not the owner
- Likely quote-based pricing (no flat rate transparency)
- National franchises have historically pulled out of STL (POOP 911, DoodyCalls)
Services That Left St. Louis
These services were once operating in St. Louis but are no longer active. If you used one of these and lost your service, you're among the 75-150+ customers in the same situation:
If POOP 911 or DoodyCalls was your previous service and you're looking for a replacement: text "SWITCHING" to (314) 850-7140 and we'll get you set up within the week.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Service |
Monthly Cost |
Flat Rate |
Pre-Visit Text |
Post-Visit Text |
No Contract |
North County |
Local Owner |
| 🐾 Tidy Tails |
$70–$90/mo |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Poop 2 Scoop |
~$72/mo |
? |
✗ |
✗ |
? |
✗ |
✓ |
| No. 2 Crew |
~$76/mo |
✗ |
? |
? |
? |
? |
✓ |
| Scoop Soldiers |
Quote-only |
✗ |
? |
? |
? |
? |
✗ |
| 💀 POOP 911 |
Was quote-based |
— | — | — | — | — | ✗ |
| 💀 DoodyCalls |
Was quote-based |
— | — | — | — | — | ✗ |
✓ = Confirmed. ✗ = Not offered. ? = Unknown/unconfirmed. Data based on public information as of April 2026.
What to Actually Look For in a Dog Waste Service
Most people pick based on price, which makes sense. But there are four factors that determine whether you'll actually be happy with the service six months in:
💲
Flat Rate vs. Per-Visit
Per-visit pricing can sound cheaper but adds up. 4 visits/month at $19/visit = $76. Flat monthly rates are more predictable and usually cheaper annually. Look for a service that charges the same amount regardless of how many times they come.
📱
Communication System
The single biggest complaint about pet waste services: "I don't know if they came." A service that texts before arriving and after finishing is worth a few extra dollars per month. You should never have to check your yard to verify they were there.
📍
Confirmed Coverage
National franchises list huge territories but often have spotty coverage in specific neighborhoods. Always confirm your exact address is on the route — not just that they "serve St. Louis." Ask specifically about your zip code and neighborhood.
🤝
Local vs. Franchise
As we saw with POOP 911 and DoodyCalls: national franchises can exit a market without warning. A local owner-operator has more accountability — it's their business, their reputation, and their community. You're also more likely to get a direct text back instead of a ticket system.
📝
Contract Terms
Avoid services that require long-term contracts. Good services don't need to trap customers — they earn repeat business through reliability. A month-to-month service with no cancellation fee is a sign of confidence in their own work.
🚛
Waste Disposal
Ask what happens to the waste. Some services bag it and leave the bags at the edge of your yard (not ideal). The better approach: waste leaves your property entirely with the service provider. Ask explicitly how they handle disposal.
Why the "On My Way" Text Matters
This sounds like a small thing until you've spent three years wondering "did they actually come today?" The biggest frustration dog waste service customers report is not knowing whether service was completed — especially in the first few months before trust is established.
❌ Without the Text System
- You don't know if they came
- You check the yard yourself — defeating the purpose
- You text to ask if they came — awkward and time-consuming
- You find a pile they missed — did they even do the whole yard?
- Two months in you start wondering if it's worth it
✅ With "On My Way" + "All Done"
- You know exactly when they're arriving
- "All Done — yard's clean" gives you peace of mind from your phone
- No need to check, verify, or follow up
- You trust the service because you're never left wondering
- Two years in and you've thought about it approximately zero times
Tidy Tails sends both messages — the "On My Way" text before arriving so you can plan accordingly (put the dog in if needed, unlock the gate) and the "All Done" text when finished. It's a small thing that makes the entire service feel accountable.
🐾 Tidy Tails Pricing
1–2 Dogs
$70
/month flat
MOST POPULAR
One-Time
$75+
spring cleanup
Flat monthly rate = same price regardless of yard size. No contracts. First cleanup FREE for new customers. Text (314) 850-7140.
Tidy Tails Service Area
Tidy Tails serves all of St. Louis County and St. Charles County. Unlike some services with spotty North County coverage, we actively serve Florissant, Hazelwood, and Ferguson — areas where most other providers have exited.
Florissant
Hazelwood
Ferguson
Bridgeton
Kirkwood
Webster Groves
Crestwood
Chesterfield
Ballwin
Wildwood
Creve Coeur
Clayton
University City
O'Fallon
St. Peters
Wentzville
St. Charles
Affton
Mehlville
Oakville
Maryland Heights
+ more
Ready to Get Your Yard Cleaned?
First cleanup is free. No contracts. You'll get an "On My Way" text before we arrive and an "All Done" text when finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dog waste removal service in St. Louis?
Tidy Tails is our pick for best overall based on flat-rate pricing ($70/month), 5.0-star Google rating, the "On My Way" + "All Done" text system, full St. Louis and St. Charles County coverage, and no contracts. Call or text (314) 850-7140.
Is POOP 911 still operating in St. Louis?
POOP 911 was once the dominant provider in St. Louis with 180+ reviews, but they pulled back from the St. Louis metro market. If you were a POOP 911 customer looking for a replacement, text "SWITCHING" to (314) 850-7140 and we'll get you set up quickly.
What happened to DoodyCalls in St. Louis?
DoodyCalls (the national franchise) is no longer actively operating in the St. Louis metro area. Their customers have largely moved to local alternatives. If you're a former DoodyCalls customer, we welcome you — same story, just text or call us.
How much does dog waste removal cost in St. Louis?
Tidy Tails charges $70/month for 1-2 dogs, $80/month for 3-4 dogs, and $90/month for 5+ dogs. All prices are flat monthly rates — no surprise bills. One-time spring cleanups start at $75. First cleanup is always free for new customers.
What should I look for in a dog waste service?
Prioritize: (1) flat monthly pricing rather than per-visit fees, (2) a communication system before and after visits, (3) local ownership for accountability, (4) confirmed coverage of your specific zip code, and (5) no long-term contract requirements.
Does Tidy Tails serve North County — Florissant, Hazelwood, Ferguson?
Yes. North County (Florissant, Hazelwood, Ferguson, Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Berkeley) is one of our primary service zones. Following the exit of Dog Doody Defenders and POOP 911 from this area, we've expanded to fill the gap. Text (314) 850-7140 with your address to confirm your specific street.
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