Architecture and Planning ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-8-2019

Abstract

This research seeks to understand the effectiveness of the There is no Poop Fairy campaign through a public survey of dog owners. The There Is No Poop Fairy campaign was initiated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2014, with the goal of getting dog owners to pick up and properly dispose of their dogs’ waste. The Rio Grande is contaminated with E. coli bacteria that originates in part from dog waste, which is carried to the river through storm water. Levels of E. coli in the Rio Grande have decreased dramatically within the past few years, coincident with the campaign. The main purpose of the study is to better understand whether or not the There Is No Poop Fairy Campaign may have contributed to the decrease in E. coli by surveying dog owners who live in the focus area of the campaign about their exposure to the campaign information and any subsequent changes in behavior. The research also investigates other issues such as dog owners’ feelings of responsibility in picking up their dogs’ waste (i.e., is it up to them or somebody else?) and the acceptability in leaving dog poop behind in public spaces (e.g., parks and open space settings). This is a non-probability survey and will be conducted using convenience sampling methods

Project Sponsors

National Science Foundation

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Community and Regional Planning

Second Degree

<-- Please Select One -->

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Architecture and Planning

First Committee Member (Chair)

Caroline Scruggs

Second Committee Member

Renia Ehrenfeucht

Third Committee Member

Janie Chermak

Fourth Committee Member

Kali Bronson

Fifth Committee Member

Patrick Chavez

Keywords

public health, voluntary campaigns, effectiveness of public health campaigns, voluntary public health campaigns, planning, community and regional planning

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