Kyle Newby, a 39-year-old construction worker and father of four from the United Kingdom, has turned an unglamorous task into a lucrative side income. He operates a professional dog waste removal service that brings in more than $31,000 annually on top of his regular job. The business, which he launched less than a year ago, now serves dozens of regular customers in the East Midlands region. Newby insists the extra money often exceeds what he makes from long hours on construction sites.
The idea came to him after noticing how popular similar services are in the United States. He spotted posts on Instagram showcasing American companies offering yard cleanups for pet owners. “That’s a big thing in America, so we thought we could try it in East Midlands,” he explained. With only a handful of competitors in the UK at the time, he placed a simple ad on Facebook and waited for responses.
Demand quickly grew, and he now has 35 steady clients. Newby schedules most visits for Wednesdays and Saturdays to fit around his construction work. He handles about 15 properties on Wednesdays and 20 on weekends. The typical visit takes 10 to 15 minutes, during which he removes an average of 14 piles, bags the waste, and disinfects the area.
Pricing starts with a $40 initial cleanup, followed by $20 per weekly visit. Some days he drives up to 50 miles to reach customers. Despite the nature of the work, Newby emphasizes that it is far from easy money. He spends around 12 hours a week on the service and handles all the physical labor himself.
Many people assume his clients simply do not want to clean up after their dogs. Newby often hears remarks that pet owners have grown too lazy for the chore. Yet he points out that more than half of his customers are elderly or have mobility issues. “Many are on crutches or have limited mobility, so it’s hard for them to bend down. We do this to help them,” he said.
One client, 48-year-old Peter Fisk, began using the service after breaking his leg. He has relied on Newby since December and plans to continue at least through the end of the year. “When you see him wash everything properly at the end, it’s clear that he really does the job quality,” Fisk noted. Newby also offers lawn mowing for those who need additional yard help.
The side gig has become so profitable that Newby hopes to make it his full-time career. He continues to build the client base while balancing family responsibilities and his day job. The steady growth shows that even basic services can fill a real need in local communities. What started as a simple observation on social media has grown into a reliable second income stream.
Professional pet waste removal, often called pooper-scooper services, has been an established industry in the United States for decades. Companies there typically charge $10 to $25 per visit depending on yard size and dog count. The work helps prevent the spread of parasites and keeps lawns safe for children and pets. In the UK the market remains smaller but is expanding as more households own dogs and seek convenient yard maintenance options.
Have you ever tried an unusual side hustle or hired someone for a task like this? Share your experiences in the comments.
