Poop Scoopers Rake It In

The economy might be slowing, but one man's poop-scooping business is, well, piling up. A sixth sense for sniffing out the goods is earning Ron Johnson's Poo-B-Gone $75,000 yearly, the Chicago Tribune reports. Pet owners who are too busy or grossed-out to handle their dogs' waste pay up to $25 a week to avoid doing the dirty deed.

Nearly 500 businesses, some claiming to have earned millions and aspiring to be the McDonald’s of scooping, comprise the decades-old industry. Many are drawn to the low overhead: A rake and dustpan (and maybe a sense of humor) are all you need to start. Friends tell Johnson, "It’s a crappy business." His reply: “Yes, but it’s always picking up.” (More pets stories.)