At a Glance
- Hudson Harbour in Edgewater now requires dog DNA swabs to trace unscooped waste.
- Pooprints matches droppings to pets, fining owners $250 per offense.
- Nearly 300 tri-state communities already use the service.
- Why it matters: Residents say cleaner grounds boost property value and quality of life.
Hudson Harbour, a condo community in northern New Jersey, has turned to genetic testing to stop owners from leaving dog waste on shared grounds. Residents must now submit cheek swabs from their pets so that any abandoned droppings can be traced back to the responsible animal-and owner.
How the DNA Program Works
Management partnered with Pooprints, a DNA dog-waste management firm, to create a genetic database of every canine living on site. When feces are found, property manager Christina Ortiz collects a small sample with a plastic knife, seals it in a tube, and ships it in a biohazard bag to the company’s lab.
“They have a whole lab,” Ortiz said. “And then they maintain a DNA database of every dog in the building.”
Results arrive within a week, pinpointing the exact dog. Once identified, the owner receives a $250 fine.
Ortiz compared the process to a doggy COVID test and said she no longer minds the routine. “I mean, at this point, I’m used to it. So it doesn’t really gross me out anymore,” she added.
Resident Reaction
Mike Gordon, who owns a 6-year-old Cavapoo named Eggsy, supports the policy. “I don’t have a problem with that,” he said. “I would make it steeper even, because there’s still some instances where we run across some people leaving some stuff behind.”
Eliana Marquez, walking her Yorkipoo Lola, praised the initiative. “It’s very annoying if you’re walking, especially of course if you step in it,” she explained. “Why should everyone have to deal with your dog’s poop?”
Marquez believes the system deters lazy owners. “I think it could only improve the property,” she said. “I love the technology.”
Regional and National Reach
BioPetLabs, parent company of Pooprints, says nearly 300 communities across New York and New Jersey already use the service, including 40 properties in Jersey City alone. Nationwide, the figure jumps to 9,000.
According to a BioPetLabs representative, the client list covers:
- Apartment complexes
- Condominium associations
- HOA neighborhoods
- Dog parks
“We’ve been a staple in apartments for years, but have seen interest increase significantly in the HOA space in the last few years as DNA technology becomes more mainstream and pet ownership increases,” the representative said.
Key Takeaways
- Hudson Harbour’s mandatory DNA swabs link every dog to its waste, enforcing a $250 penalty for violations.
- Property staff collect samples on-site and ship them to Pooprints for analysis, with results returned within seven days.
- Residents welcome the policy, arguing cleaner common areas enhance daily life and property values.
- The practice is spreading across the tri-state, with BioPetLabs serving close to 300 local communities and 9,000 nationwide.
