What do the Los Angeles Stormwater Program and Chinese New Year have in common?! Believe it or not, the answer is… dogs! Chinese New Year is tomorrow and it’s the Year of the Dog! In case you don’t already know, here are a few fun facts about Chinese New Year: It is probably the most…

We all have a “favorite polluter” in our community. That one person who doesn’t pick up after their dog on walks or allows their dog to run free to leave “presents” all over the neighborhood. So, how do you deal with them? How do you get them to change their polluting ways and begin picking…

Summer is here and the livin’ is easy! For your family, your friends and especially your pets, summer is probably a time to have fun, relax and soak in some sun. However, summer can also be a constant battle to escape the heat. You likely have a game plan that includes water fun and popsicles…

Calling all dog owners: keep your pets active this summer by heading to a paw-friendly park in your local watershed! Wait, what’s a watershed you might ask? Simply put, a watershed is an area of land that collects water and redirects it to a river, lake, or ocean. Did you know that any surface street…

Sweltering summer temperatures can leave your pooch dirty and smelly. A cool bath can help beat the heat and make your pup clean and fresh. Keep in mind that grooming can unintentionally pollute our local waterways if runoff containing soap, flea chemicals, fur or waste runs into the storm drains. Follow these eco-friendly tips to…

When it’s raining cats and dogs, keep your pets safe and stress-free with these wet-weather tips: Walk smart. Whenever possible, schedule your dog’s walks around the day’s forecast. If you need to head out during a downpour, seek out tree-lined streets or covered areas to avoid getting drenched. Be visible. Dark, stormy conditions can seriously…

by Joyce Amaro, LA Stormwater Earlier this month, we here at LA Stormwater had a Best Friends-themed weekend in more ways than one. Two of our staff members attended the NKLA Best Friends Super Adoption at the La Brea Tar Pits, distributing free dog waste bag canisters and tip cards to potential dog adopters. That…

A: No, and here’s why. You need to dispose of pet waste—even pet waste in a biodegradable bag—in the trash. It should not be tossed in the City’s green bin or your backyard compost pile. The reason is, dog waste contains millions of bacteria that pose health risks for other creatures, humans and our local…

A: First, we want to thank you for picking up your dog waste! A single gram of dog poop can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which has health risks for other dogs and humans as well as our local rivers, lakes and bays. Now back to your question. You cannot dispose of pet waste—even…

By Joyce Amaro, LA Stormwater Public Education Manager This week the American Humane Association is celebrating Be Kind To Animals Week – a time created to encourage compassion towards animals. While it’s easy for us animal lovers to list the ways we’ll be kind to animals this week, (volunteer at a local animal shelter or consider…