About Us

It all started in the year 2000 when Mary Ellen Levy’s family wanted a second dog. Her three children swore they were going to help pick up after him…
You can guess the rest of the story!

That’s when she wondered, “There must be a better way…” She was right! She thought, “What if there was a pet waste clean up service? There wouldn’t be excuses, just a clean yard!” That’s when Mel decided to start her own business in Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was the first pet waste clean up service in the area.

Since then, she has grown When Doody Calls to numerous vehicles serving Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.
Recently she has expanded into Staten Island under the name The Doody Retrieve.

In 2002 Mel joined with other pet waste specialists and formed the APAWS organization – Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists. The mission of APAWS is to increase the level of awareness in the animal waste industry, raise the level of public awareness to the profession, and create added benefits for its members. APAWS upholds a strict standard of what is expected of its members in the care and treatment of all animals.

In addition to being a founding member of APAWS, Mel is also very active in animal related charitable events. One of her most successful projects was raising money to purchase bullet and stab proof vests for police dogs. “They would die to save our lives, the least we can do is to help protect theirs.”

Mary Ellen has been working in the pet care business since 1993. “I love my business,” she says. “I wouldn’t do anything else in the world!”

When Doody Calls offers services in the poop-scooping business with very competitive pricing in New Jersey’s Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties, and we are now expanding into Staten Island.
We offer weekly, bi-weekly, one-time, and seasonal cleanups.

For more information, or for a free estimate call 732.495.POOP or contact Mel by Email.